Monday, April 30th & Tuesday, May 1st

Two days of general sessions and breakout workgroup sessions, with a special welcoming party/preregistration happy hour on the evening of April 29th, from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm.

Sunday, April 29th (optional)

Tune up your labeling skills to make the most of the main conference. Learn the fundamentals, and take advantage of our instructor's expertise to get answers to your specific questions. This seminar covers:

• Required label features
• Completing Form 7234 to assure rapid appovals and successful audits
• Product name qualifiers
• Product names — standardized, fanciful and descriptive
• Generic approvals
• Restricted ingredients — calculating levels to assure compliance

...And much more! Bring your labeling questions and the free copy of PLC's Basic Course in Standards and Labeling manual you'll receive in conjunction with your Main Conference Registration.* Leave with the know-how you'll need to face labeling challenges on the job.

*Registrants who do not attend the Main Conference pay an additional $104 to register for this seminar and receive the manual (a $300 value).

Sunday, April 29th (optional)

USDA has now implemented two major changes to the CN label program in the last year:

1) New QC plans must be approved and monitored by the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) and

2) CN label review is now being conducted by AMS.

This full day workshop will benefit companies experienced in CN labeling, as well as help newcomers to the program. The workshop will include how to calculate the meat, vegetable and bread credit, including updates on unpublished changes in policy. You will learn how to streamline your CN label approvals, including how to obtain a CN number, what is required on the CN label and 7234 form, and what documentation is needed for certain purchased ingredients. You will also learn what is required in the new quality control program for your CN products, the new monitoring requirements and how to catch or make revisions if needed.

The workshop will include a brainstorming session on how AMS can smoothly enforce the first expiration of CN Labels in 2012.

Sunday, April 29th (optional)

Tired of having your great marketing ideas crushed by the Regulatory hammer? This workshop will familiarize you with the food labeling-regulation hot buttons for USDA/FDA products, empowering you to create marketing gold built upon a solid regulatory foundation. You'll learn clever, time-saving techniques to drastically shorten the product development cycle. By increasing your knowledge of the regulatory issues, you'll avoid conflicts with Food Regulatory and Legal departments, and build a better working relationship with these key decision makers.

Wednesday, May 2nd (optional)

This is a terrific opportunity to gain an insider’s understanding of nutrition labeling for food products under federal regulation. We’ll take a step-by-step approach that includes determining the need for nutrition labeling and selecting the correct labeling program (mandatory vs. voluntary), acceptable methods of nutritional analysis, determination of serving size and servings per container, selection and proper declaration of mandatory and optional nutrients, Nutrition Facts panel formatting, approval requirements, and other key processes. The result: nutrition labeling that meets federal requirements, helps consumers, and puts your product in the best light. Keyed to PLC’s newest publication, A Course in Nutrition Labeling, provided free when you register. This comprehensive manual not only reinforces the Nutrition Labeling Seminar, it serves as an invaluable, on-the-job reference tool. Written in language that's easy to understand, the Course in Nutrition Labeling covers every aspect of nutrition labeling (308 pages, a $250 value).

Wednesday, May 2nd (optional)

Have you ever been frustrated when a product name has already been approved by the customer through your marketing or sales departments, and you have to inform marketing/sales that the name cannot be used with the formulation that was approved by the customer? Well then, this class is for you. Learn creative ways to work with sales and marketing while still being able to be in compliance with your labeling. Also learn techniques to work with R&D and be included in the new product process before everything is approved by your customer.

Wednesday, May 2nd (optional)

Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in EZ Form® Nutrition and Label Compliance Software. Learn how to produce comprehensive label approval applications, label sketches and nutrition labeling in record time and with amazing accuracy. Instruction is provided by the people who know EZ Form® best: PLC’s own programmers and food technologists. Sign up for the Beginner Session if you have little or no previous experience with EZ Form® software. Sign up for the Advanced Session if you are familiar with the program but want to learn about more enhanced features.

Sunday, April 29 (optional)

Witness Washington's magnificent monuments and federal buildings at the most dramatic time of day. We'll enjoy the commentary and insights of an experienced guide while riding aboard a luxury motorcoach. A boxed snack and full complement of beverages is included. Step off the coach and visit the Jefferson, Lincoln, WWII, and FDR memorials as well as the Kennedy Center.

Monday, April 30 (optional)

Ready to relax on Monday evening? Join us for an informal gathering featuring a belly dancer, live music, and dancing! (Free, no registration necessary.)

Monday, April 30 (optional)

Join us for a pub crawl through the Georgetown Historic District. We'll visit some of the neighborhood's most venerable, and fun, establishments!