43rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TABLETOP EXHIBITION

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

 

Scroll down or click the links below for full details:

 

Conference Schedule
Download the 2024 Conference Brochure
Conference Registration Fees
Who Should Attend & Why
Registration Confirmation
Cancellation Policy
How to Register
Printable Registration Form
Hotel Reservations
Dinner Reservations
Hotel Tips
Transportation
Golf Tournament
RFA Tabletops
Conference Testimonials
RFA Sponsorship Opportunities
Spouse Event

 

 

YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS OUT ON ALL THIS!!! REGISTER TODAY!!!


 

Conference Registration Fees

Please complete the individual attendee information on the registration form and calculate the appropriate registration fees for
all attendees below. The registration fee includes admission to all general sessions, scheduled receptions, breakfasts, lunches,
dinners, Tuesday evening Banquet and the Tabletop Exhibit Reception. Guests must pay the full guest registration fee to attend all events. Fee will be refunded if registration is cancelled prior to February 7, 2024. Deadline for early registration is February 7, 2024. Registration form and payment must be received in the RFA office by February 7, 2024 in order to receive the early registration fee discount.


Conference Registration Fees are as follows: (Please note there is a discounted registration fee for payments made by check)

For RFA Members:  The Conference early registration fee must be received by February 7, 2024 and is $1,030.  The discounted rate for check payments is $995.  After February 7, the rate is $1,130 discounted to $1,095 for check payments. 

For RFA Guests/Spouses:  The Conference early registration fee is $930, discounted to $895 for check payments if received before February 7, 2024.  After February 7, the registration fee is $1,030, discounted to $995 for check payments.

For Non-Members:  The Conference registration fee is $1,230, discounted for check payments to $1,195.

Guests can purchase individual tickets to attend Tuesday evening's banquet and entertainment for $200 per person.

Company sponsorships of $5,000 or more are eligible to receive one complimentary registration (basic registration fee only).  Please contact the RFA Office if you have questions.

 


Who Should Attend & Why

 

Who should attend the Conference:

  • President/CEO
  • Sales & Marketing
  • Quality Assurance, Quality Control
  • Operations Management
  • Technical Services
  • General Manager
  • Research & Development
  • New Business Development
  • Purchasing
  • Executive Chefs
  • Spouses

Why?

  • Build valuable relationships and network with the leaders of the industry
  • Learn about the current trends in chilled foods
  • Stay ahead of the learning curve
  • Find out what regulatory issues affect your business
  • Get practical, up-to-the-minute food safety information
  • Be inspired by motivational speakers and talking to others in your field
  • See the newest offerings in ingredients, packaging, equipment and services
  • Enjoy sunshine and fun at social events, tours and golf tournament

Registration Confirmation

Three weeks prior to the conference, you will receive a written confirmation and other conference information. 


Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made by February 7, 2024 will receive a full refund. Cancellations made after February 7 or "no shows"
will not receive a refund. You can transfer your registration to another person within your company at any time.  


How to Register

 

NON-MEMBERS: Download PDF Registration Form 

RFA MEMBERS: There are three ways to register for the 2024 RFA Annual Conference:

1. Register for the RFA Conference online! 

Register by Check

Register by Credit Card

2. Download a 2024 Conference Registration Form and email it to the RFA Office at [email protected] if paying
by credit card.

3. Download a 2024 Conference Registration Form and mail the form with your check to:
Refrigerated Foods Association
, 3823 Roswell Road, Suite 208, Marietta, GA 30062

 


Hotel Reservations

WeKoPa Conference Center & Resort is the RFA’s host hotel. All conference sessions and events will be held at WeKoPa Conference Center & Resort.  Tuesday Dinner will take place at Fort McDowell, which is a short shuttle ride from the resort.  Transportation will be provided.

To make room reservations, please use this link: https://reservations.travelclick.com/96432?groupID=3149663 or call We-Ko-Pa at 480-789-5320Identify yourself as a RFA Conference attendee to receive a special room rate of $209 plus tax for single or double occupancy, with no resort fee for RFA Conference attendees. 

The hotel is currently SOLD OUT.  Comfort Inn is 4 miles from WeKoPa.  You can make reservations here.  (We do not have a room block, but rooms are available over our Conference dates).  Keep checking back at WeKoPa to see if cancellations occur and rooms open up.

Please note: the RFA does NOT use third parties for reservations - please do not give your information to anyone who calls you!

To learn more about the WeKoPa Conference Center & Resort, click here.


 Dinner Reservations

As a special gift to us, Ember Restaurant at WeKoPa will be open on Monday night, March 4.  To make your reservations, please call Michael at 480-789-5324 and identify yourself as an RFA Conference attendee.  This is a really special dining opportunity, offered especially for us!  Reservations are required.  Please make your plans early!


 

Hotel Tips

WeKoPa features a full-service, smoke-free gaming casino with bingo, slots, table games, sportsbook & live game action, and exciting promotions.  Complimentary wi-fi Internet is available throughout the hotel and guest rooms.

There are several dining options within the hotel.  If you wish to eat at Ember, the fine dining restaurant, please make advance reservations.  They are normally closed on Mondays, but they will open for RFA (by reservation only).  Ember is a destination dining experience, serving the highest quality steaks and seafood, and is the Recipient of OpenTable's coveted Diners' Choice Award in 2023.  Call 480-789-5324 to make your reservation for Monday night.

In addition to Ember, other on-site dining options include the sports bar WKP Sports & Entertainment, the Buffet featuring amazing food from around the world, the casual all-American Ahnala Restaurant for breakfast and lunch, delicious quick-serve options from The Market, or enjoy a casual bite and relaxing golf course views at We-Ko-Pa Grille.

Other recommended restaurants in the surrounding area can be found HERE.

WeKoPa features Amethyst Spa, award-winning golf courses, heated outdoor pools, a casino and lots of fun outdoor activities at nearby Fort McDowell Adventures.  Check out the resort website and make plans in advance.  WeKoPa is pleased to offer all RFA Conference attendees 20% off all standard pricing at Amethyst Spa.

 


Transportation


Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is 25 minutes from the hotel ($35 UberX).  

You can rent a car from Avis Transportation. The RFA's Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) Number is J095952. Please use this number when calling Avis directly at 1-800-331-1600 to receive the best car rental rates available.  RFA Conference attendees staying at the hotel can enjoy complimentary valet parking at the resort.


Golf Tournament


The RFA Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 on the Saguaro Golf Course, just across the street from the resort.   Bell staff will get you and your clubs to the course in time for the tournament.  The fee is $260 and includes favors, prizes, green fee, cart fee, range balls, and a boxed lunch. Please note on the registration form if you need rental clubs - the fee is $76.30 plus tax, and includes 6 golf balls. Clubs will be available for rent from the pro shop prior to the start of the tournament.  The tournament will tee off with a shotgun start at 12:15 p.m.  Please wear proper golf attire (no denim).

PLEASE NOTE:  The Golf Tournament is limited to 60 players, so book early if you wish to play!  WeKoPa Golf Club is the winner of nearly 50 prestigious awards and largely regarded as the premiere courses in Arizona.


Other Optional Activities on Tuesday

For non-golfers, we have several valuable learning events.  Technical folks can attend the Martin Mitchell Technical Food Safety Luncheon featuring our annual forum with RFA's Technical Director Doug Marshall.  The Martin Mitchell Technical Food Safety Luncheon will run from 12:00-1:30 pm.  Following the lunch will be two exceptional speaker presentations of a technical nature:

1:45-2:45 pm:  RTE Vegetables by Faith Critzer
3:00-4:00 pm:  Gums & Starches by Marcus Brody, Eurofins

We also invite everyone who is interested to join us for a Service Project at the hotel from 4:00-4:30 pm in the Yo'w Room.  We will be assembling lunch kits to benefit local children of the Yavapai Nation.  Join us for a fun and meaningful activity!


 Tabletops

This year's Tabletop Reception will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024 from 3:30-6:30 p.m., with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres being served. It will take onsite at WeKoPa Resort.  Click here for the Tabletop Brochure.  Associate Members can get information specific to their Conference experience in our Associates Newsletter.  For additional questions, please contact the RFA office at (678) 426-8175.


Sponsorship Opportunities

There are a number of Sponsorship Opportunities available during the RFA's 43rd Annual Conference & Tabletop Exhibition.   You can gain exposure for your company by sponsoring social events, educational sessions, networking events, promotional items or golf tournament activities.  Sponsorship opportunities can be found here.  For questions, please contact the RFA office at (678) 426-8175.


 Spouse Event

We have a special event for spouses/partners attending the Conference!  Please join us for a memorable morning and afternoon of fun and friendship.  All partners of registered Conference attendees are welcome to participate, courtesy of our sponsor, Reser's Fine Foods.  Click here for details. Please RSVP to Meg at [email protected].  Space is limited to the first 30 respondents!