Dec 5, 2006
CONTACT:

Patrick Wilson

pwilson@meatami.com

202/587-4221



Janet Riley

jriley@meatami.com

202/587-4245



Stephanie Strauss

sstrauss@fmi.org

202/220-0657



Washington, D.C.— December 5, 2006 — A special session on the growing market for Kosher and Halal meat products and the certification process will be featured at the 2007 Annual Meat Conference, Feb. 18-20, 2007 at the Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suites Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Trend watchers say the market for Kosher and Halal products is poised to grow exponentially among those who choose these products for religious reasons or for other perceived benefits. According to Food Processing Magazine, growth in the Kosher and Halal categories is one of the six hottest trends in the food industry this year.

Offered for the first time at the Annual Meat Conference, this session addresses the challenges of what Kosher and Halal meat products are, how they are certified, the potential for market growth and how they can and should be marketed. Featured speakers include Dr. Mohammed Chaudry, president of Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, and Sumitha Nair, senior consultant with Mintel International, a leading supplier of consumer, media and market research.

Co-sponsored by the American Meat Institute and the Food Marketing Institute, the conference has become the industry’s premier meat marketing and operations educational program, designed to bring every segment of the retail meat and poultry supply chain together. Associate sponsors include the American Lamb Board, America’s Beef Producers, National Chicken Council, National Pork Board and National Turkey Federation.

The Caribe Royale Orlando All-Suites Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., is located minutes from all of Orlando’s attractions. Room rates are $199 for a single or double. For the special conference rate, be sure to contact the hotel directly and mention the Annual Meat Conference by Jan. 16, 2007.

Registration can be completed online or by submitting a registration form. Early Bird Registration – prior to Jan. 19, 2007 – is $595 per person ($545 for three or more registrations from the same company). After Jan. 19, 2007, attendees pay the regular conference rate of $695 per person ($645 for three or more registrations from the same company). Five or more retailers/wholesalers attending together receive the special group discount of $515.

The Conference is also offering a special first timer registration fee for retailer/wholesaler member companies who have not attended the conference during the previous three years. For additional information, call (202) 220-0708.

For more information, registration and ongoing updates, visit the Annual Meat Conference Web site at http://www.meatconference.com.