The Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA) will host the 11^th annual Operations and Technical Food Safety Forum on June 24–25, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center in Oak Brook, Illinois.

With the goal of providing comprehensive "big picture" strategic insights for the nut industry, as well as practical solutions, the forum offers two distinct educational and networking tracks:

• Technical track: Curated for executives, quality assurance (QA) teams, regulatory, finance, and sales marketing professionals, this track will explore regulatory navigation, retailer expectations, and hazard analysis challenges and action
• Operational track: Designed for facility managers, maintenance staff, logistics, and sanitation teams, this track will focus on practical implementation, artificial intelligence (AI) on the facility floor, equipment maintenance, and sanitation efficiency.

The dual-track structure of the forum is intended to enable organizations to synchronize their technical and operational arms, ensuring that food safety is not a siloed responsibility of one department but a core function of the entire company.

The 2026 PTNPA Operations and Technical Food Safety Forum features:

• Keynote Address: Rod Wheeler, Founder and CEO, the Global Food Defense Institute will present executive perspectives on asset protection and the evolving landscape of food defense
• Pest Control Panel: Dr. Spencer Walse, Ph.D., the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS); R.D. Cathey, FTS Laboratories; and John Mueller, the Fumigation Company will bridge the gap between laboratory science, practical fumigation, and federal research to provide targeted solutions for the unique challenges of the nut industry
• Cracking the Code on Food Safety Culture: Yvonne Masters, Ph.D., John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. will provide a roadmap for establishing a thriving food safety culture by securing buy-in from every level of staff—including temporary employees—and utilizing tangible metrics to drive engagement and accountability throughout nut processing operations
• Washington Regulatory Update: Martin Hahn, Hogan Lovells will decipher the latest federal and state laws and regulations affecting the nut industry and their impact on nut processing facilities and operations
• Investigating Hazard Analysis: Rachel Lang, John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. will lead a session on root causes and solutions
• Traceability Rule Training: Hilary Thesmar, FMI will give practical guidance on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Traceability Rule
• Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) Planned Maintenance on Equipment: Darlene Cowart, Ph.D., Birdsong Peanuts will discuss how to conduct planned maintenance on equipment to comply with Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements.

The forum also includes sessions designed for interactivity and entertainment, including the "Food Safety Gameshow,” which transforms theoretical knowledge into shared best practices through a friendly competition.

Registration is now open here. Early Bird rates end on June 5, 2026. Group discounts are available.