42nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Scroll down or click the links below for full details:

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 Exhibit Reception. Guests must pay the full guest registration fee to attend all events. Fee will be refunded if registration is cancelled prior to January 27, 2023. Deadline for early registration is January 27, 2023. Registration form and payment must be received in the RFA office by January 27, 2023 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 January 27, 2023 and is $925.  The discounted rate for check payments is $895.  After January 27, the rate is $1,025 discounted to $995 for check payments. 

For RFA Guests/Spouses:  The Conference early registration fee is $825, discounted to $795 for check payments if received before January 27.  After January 27, the registration fee is $925, discounted to $895 for check payments.

For Non-Members:  The Conference registration fee is $1,125, discounted for check payments to $1,095.

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 January 27, 2023, will receive a full refund. Cancellations made after January 27 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 2023 RFA Annual Conference:

1. Register for the RFA Conference online! 

> Register by Check

> Register by Credit Card

2. Download a 2023 Conference Registration Form and email it to the RFA Office at [email protected] if paying
by credit card.

3. Download a 2023 Conference Registration Form and mail the form with your check to:
Refrigerated Foods Association, 3823 Roswell Road, Suite 208, Marietta, GA 30062 or fax to 678-550-4504

Hotel Reservations

The beautiful Kiawah Island Sanctuary Resort is the RFA’s host hotel. All conference sessions and events will be held at the Kiawah Island Sanctuary Resort.  PLEASE NOTE that the Exhibition and Tuesday Dinner will take place at the West Conference Center, which is a short shuttle ride from the main building.

To make room reservations, please call the Sanctuary Resort at Kiawah Island Golf Resort at 800-654-2924 or 877-683-1234.  Identify yourself as a RFA Conference attendee to receive a special room rate of $259 plus tax for single or double occupancy. Alternately, you can complete and return the hotel's Lodging Form to begin your room reservation process by email.  There is no Resort Fee.  The deadline for room reservations is January 27, 2023.  PLEASE NOTE the hotel's cancellation policy: Individual room cancellations made less than 30 days prior to arrival will forfeit their one night deposit.  Name substitutions are permitted up until the arrival date.  The only exception on this policy is in the case of funeral or hospitalization.  

Our room block is now FULL.  The hotel will provide options to stay elsewhere, and we can keep you on a waiting list should we get any cancellations.  

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 Kiawah Island Sanctuary Resort, click here.

Hotel Tips

Restaurants on the island are fabulous, but they book up early.  Check out your options in advance, and make reservations now:

The Ocean Room - right onsite at the Sanctuary Resort.  Upscale steakhouse.

The Atlantic Room - at the Oceans Course.  Upscale seafood.

Jasmine Porch - at the Sanctuary.  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Southern-style.

Ryder Cup Bar - at Oceans Course, no reservations.

Tomasso - at Turtle Point Course.  Italian.

Players Pub - at Cougar's Point Course.  Casual, American fare.

Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House - at Osprey Point Course.

You will also find a coffee and sandwich market, along with an ice cream shop at the resort.  The hotel bar is gorgeous, large and lively.

Please note, not all restaurants will be open every night.  Talk to your reservation specialist about what option is best for you and your party.

The Spa at the Sanctuary is an experience....  and a very popular one!  Make your treatment reservations in advance to avoid disappointment.

Transportation

Charleston International Airport (CHS) is 60 minutes from the hotel ($90 taxi ride).  Uber and Lyft cars are readily available from the airport, but PLEASE NOTE: you should arrange transportation in advance for your return trip to the airport.  Rideshare vehicles are NOT easily available from the resort.  The resort's concierge can help you make travel arrangements.  You might also talk with the Uber/Lyft driver on the way in from the airport, as many are willing to make arrangements directly with you for pick up.

The resort offers complimentary use of their Volvos on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Drive around in style for up to 4 hours.  See the bellstand for details.

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 self parking at the resort.

Golf Tournament

The RFA Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 on the Osprey Point Golf Course on Kiawah Island.   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 $75 plus tax. 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 12:30 p.m.  Please note the dress code: denim of any kind, shorts more than 5” above the knee, bathing suits, athletic style shorts and shirts without sleeves or collars are considered unacceptable.

PLEASE NOTE:  The Golf Tournament is now sold out.  We can hold a spot for you on a wait list, but cannot accept any more players.

For non-golfers, we have several exciting activities to choose from!  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 - 2:00 pm.

A service project has been organized to benefit Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach.  Volunteers will assemble meal packs for the hungry in the Johns Island/Charleston area.  This event will run 2:00-3:30 pm at the hotel.

 Exhibits

This year's Exhibit Reception will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023, from 3:30-6:30 p.m., with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres being served. It will take place at the West Conference Center, which is a short shuttle ride from the main resort building.  PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO GET TO THE EXHIBITION.  Click here for the Exhibit Brochure.  You can apply for an Exhibit Booth with our Application & Contract.  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 42nd Annual Conference & 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.  We will be meeting in the hotel lobby in the morning to travel together to Freshfields for candle making, lunch and shopping, and will return to the hotel in time for the exhibits at 3:00 pm. Please RSVP to Meg at [email protected].  UPDATE: Due to limited space at the venue, this event is now FULL.  Interested participants are currently being added to our wait list.