The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) held its conference as a hybrid event for the first time this year. The three-day meeting took place July 18–21, 2021, in Phoenix, and more than 2,600 registered in-person and attended virtually, representing 55 countries, 48 states (including Washington, D.C.), and 6 Canadian provinces.
The General Session was opened virtually on July 18, 2021, due to travel restrictions, and President Roger Cook hosted the session before turning the program over to Dr. Kali Kniel, IAFP past president, who recognized those who made the meeting possible. Dr. Ruth Petran, IAFP president-elect, then introduced this year's Ivan Parkin lecture, presented by Dr. Robert Gravani, professor emeritus of food science, Cornell University, who spoke on "It's All About People, Isn't it?"