WAMP Convention

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A WAMP MEMBER AND DUES MUST BE UP TO DATE TO SECURE YOUR CONVENTION SPOTS!

ARE YOU A WAMP MEMBER AND YOUR DUES CURRENT?

Fun, Fellowship, and Meat

The WAMP Annual Convention is held in April at the Madison Marriott West Hotel & Convention Center. This great show features a vital program for operators, an informative pre-Convention workshop, sparkling entertainment, good fun, and fellowship plus a fine array of exhibits and displays by leading industry manufacturers and suppliers. The annual meeting of the organization is held each year in connection with this state convention of meat processors.

Event Summary:

2025 Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors Annual Convention

Start Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
End Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Last Day to Book: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: Madison Marriott West for $156 per night

Check back in early November for all the information for the 2025 Trade Show.

Wisconsin Specialty Meat Championships

It is the largest cured meat product show in the United States and gives members the opportunity to have their products judged and rated. This show makes it possible for participants to compare their product with other processors in the state. Winners regularly take advantage of great publicity of winning through the media and by the display of their awards.

Pre-Convention Workshop

A Wisconsin Association of Meat Processor’s pre-convention workshop will once again be offered and is planned to take place at the University of Wisconsin Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building on Thursday, April 10. This workshop is a great opportunity to gain new knowledge about meat processing, hone your present skills, and network with fellow meat processors. This year’s workshop is themed “Product Development in Practice” and will focus on learning how to effectively create/develop new or improve existing products in your establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you need to be a member to attend the WAMP Convention and Trade Show. However, an exhibiting Supplier Member may be granted a One Day Pass for a non-member to visit the Trade Show Floor only.

Each attending Operator must pay a Plant Registration fee of $50 and another fee of $35/attendee. Tickets for the meals are in addition to these fees. The Pre-Convention Workshop is a separate fee.

You may register electronically by filling out the form below. You may register at the convention also, but we prefer you register in advance to have your name badges and tickets ready for you.

The convention annual in April at the Marriott Madison West (Middleton). The Pre-Convention workshop is held at the campus of the University of WI at the MSABD building.

Yes, your employees and family members may attend, but will need to pay an attendee registration fee.

Yes, don’t leave the kids at home!  There are fun activities for the kids at the Friday night party.  There are activities for the kids at the Trade Show.  We also have kids pricing for meal tickets.

You may register for a Trade show booth by filling out the form below. You may also contact the WAMP office by email at [email protected] to request copies of the registration materials be emailed to you.

Please contact the WAMP office by email at [email protected] to receive the Valley Trade Show materials.

Please contact the WAMP office by email at [email protected] to receive a Supplier One Day Free Pass for a meat establishment.

Convention Floor Plan

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE 2024 CONVENTION!

Tentative Convention Schedule

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Held at the UW MSABD building

PRE-CONVENTION SEMINAR SCHEDULE
8:00 AMPre-Convention Workshop – “Product Development in Practice”
(Held at the UW MSABD Building)
(Pre-registration required.)
Depart Marriot Madion West – Shuttle Provided
8:30 AMIntroduction and Welcome
Jeff Sindelar, University of Wisconsin
Andy Geiss, Geiss Meat Service
Sara Gragg, University of Wisconsin
8:45-9:30 AMUnderstanding the Product Development Process
Andy Milkowski, University of Wisconsin
9:30-10:00 AMRecipe & Formulation Development: Raw Materials
Jeff Sindelar, University of Wisconsin
10:00-10:30 AMBREAK
10:30-11:00 PMRecipe & Formulation Development: Functional Ingredients
Andy Milkowski, University of Wisconsin
11:00-11:30 AMRecipe & Formulation Development: Building Flavor with Spices
Stephanie Nue, PS Seasoning
11:30-12:00 PMRecipe & Formulation Development: Costing & Marketing/Sensory Science & Testing
Nelson Gaydos, American Association of Meat Processors
12:00-1:00 PMLunch
1:00-1:30 PMUW-MSABD Tour
1:30-3:30 PMProduct Development Team Competition

Attendees will work in small teams to conduct product development for a fresh sausage utilizing a base formulation and a product scenario in the MSABD meat processing plant. Teams will have access to a variety of raw materials, non-meat ingredients, spices, etc. to create different prototypes and develop the ideal product following a bench-top approach. The final product prototype will be entered in the WAMP product show in a special class.

3:30-3:45 PMBREAK
3:45-4:30 PMFinished Product Evaluation and Troubleshooting
Jeff Sindelar, University of Wisconsin
Stephanie Neu, PS Seasoning
4:30 PMConclusion
4:35 PMBus departs UW Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building (UW-MSABD) for Marriott West hotel
WAMP CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2:00 PMRegistration Desk Open (until 5:00 pm)
• Conference Center Coat Room
6:00 PMWisconsin Livestock and Meat Council’s Meat Industry Hall of Fame and Scholarship Dinner
7:00 PM10th Floor Hospitality Room (until 10 pm)

Friday, April 11, 2025

Held at the Marriott Madison West-Middleton

7:00 AMDirector and Product Show Committee Meeting
• Greenway Room
8:00 AMRegistration Desk Open (until 5:00 pm)
• Conference Center Coat Room
ALL EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
• Salons F, G, & H
12:00 PMRibbon Cutting – Supplier Showcase Opens
Lunch: Free Hot dogs and Brats (until 6 pm)
• Wisconsin/Michigan/Superior Rooms
12:15 PMProduct Show Registration (until 2 pm)
• Mendota & Geneva Rooms
1:00 PMMulti Station Contests (until 3 pm)
• UW MSABD Booth at the Trade Show
2:30 PMMeat Product Judging – Fresh Sausages
• Mendota & Geneva Rooms
5:00 PMSocial Hour – Cash Bar/Free Beer & Soda
• Salons A, B, C, D, & E
6:00 PMBuffet • Salons A, B, C, D, & E
7:00 PMScholarship Auction, contest results followed by corn hole competition, kids entertainment, and Fun Pianos Dueling
Pianos Salons A, B, C, D, & E

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Held at the Marriott Madison West-Middleton

7:30 AMSupplier Meeting followed by Breakfast (until 8:15 am)
• Concession Area, Exhibit Hall, (WI/MI, Superior Rooms)
8:00 AMMeat Product Show Judging
• Mendota & Geneva Rooms
8:15 AMProcessor Breakfast (until 9:00 am)
• Concession Area, Exhibit Hall, (WI/MI, Superior Rooms)
8:30 AMRegistration Desk Opens (until 1:00 pm)
• Conference Center Coat Room
9:00 AMSupplier Showcase Opens (until 1:00 pm)
• Wisconsin/Michigan/Superior
10:00 AMChildren’s Program (until 11:00 am)
• Wisconsin Room (Exhibit Hall)
11:00 PMLunch – Free Hot Dogs & Brats (until 1:00 pm)
• Wisconsin/Michigan/Superior
12:00 PMJudges Lunch
• LaCrosse Room
ALL EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
• Salons F, G, & H
1:00 PMEducational Sessions Begin
• Salons E, F, G, & H
3:50 PMWAMP Business Meeting (annual election), Children’s Awards and Meat Product Show Awards Ceremony
• Salons E, F, G, & H
6:00 PMWAMP Cocktail Party
• Atrium
7:00 PMDinner Buffet (featuring prime rib and stuffed chicken breast) Top Product Show Awards, Person of the Year Recognition, Scholarship Recipient Recognition
• Salons A, B, C, D, & E
After BanquetProduct Show Open for Viewing
• Mendota & Geneva Rooms

10th Floor Hospitality Open

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Held at the Marriott Madison West-Middleton

7:00 AMRelease of Product Show Products (until 7:30 am)
• Mendota & Geneva Rooms
9:00 AMDirectors Organizational Meeting
• Middleton Room

Not Registered for the WAMP Convention?

You may register either online by filling out the form below or mailing in the registration form in the March Newsletter or contact the WAMP office for a “paper” copy.

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A WAMP MEMBER AND DUES MUST BE UP TO DATE TO SECURE YOUR CONVENTION SPOTS!

Having trouble with the online form? Try the print out version and send it to us.

Link to: OperatorsLink to: SuppliersLink to: Membership
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