39th 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, 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 February 1, 2019. Deadline for early registration is January 18, 2019. Registration form and
payment must be received in the RFA office by January 18, 2019 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 18, 2019 and is $925.  The discounted rate for check payments is $895.  After January 18, the rate is $1,025 discounted to $995 for check payments. 

For RFA Guests:  The Conference early registration fee is $825, discounted to $795 for check payments if received before
January 18.  After January 18, 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 at the Florida Aquarium 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 1, 2019, will receive a full refund. Cancellations made after February 1st 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 2019 RFA Annual Conference:

1. Register for the RFA Conference online! 

> Register by Check

> Register by Credit Card

2. Download a 2019 Conference Registration Form and email it to the RFA Office at [email protected] if paying
by credit card.

3. Download a 2019 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

Printable Registration Form

Hotel Reservations

The newly-renovated Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina is the RFA’s host hotel. All conference sessions and events will be held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina.
To make room reservations, please use this link:  https://book.passkey.com/go/RefrigeratedFoods2019   Or call the Tampa Marriott Waterside at 888-789-3090. Identify yourself as a RFA Conference attendee to receive a special room rate of $249 plus tax for single or double occupancy. The deadline for room reservations is January 18, 2019.

If you require room reservations outside our Conference dates, please call the hotel to make your reservations instead of using the online reservation system.

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 Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, click here.

Transportation

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is 9 miles from the hotel ($25 taxi ride).  St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is approximately 22 miles away ($45 taxi ride).  Uber and Lyft cars are readily available at both airports and cost approximately $20 from TPA, and $26 from PIE (one way).

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.  Valet parking at the hotel is $28 plus tax per day.

Golf Tournament

The RFA Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at TPC Tampa Bay.   The fee is $240 and includes shuttle service to the course, prizes, green fee, cart fee, GPS, range balls, and a boxed lunch. Please note on the registration form if you need rental clubs - the fee is $60 plus tax (this includes one sleeve of TPC logo 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 12:30 p.m.  The dress code states collared shirts only, and shorts are Bermuda-length permissable.   DENIM IS PROHIBITED.  

Other Optional Activities on Tuesday

For non-golfers, we have several exciting activities to choose from!  Technical folks can attend the Technical Committee Meeting & Lunch featuring Dr. Keith R. Schneider and Dr. Doug L. Archer of the University of Florida, who will discuss the Recall Handbook.  The Technical Committee Meeting will run from 11:30 to 1:30 pm, and will include lunch.

A service project has been organized to benefit the Foundation for Hospital Art.  Volunteers will paint beautiful pre-printed murals at the hotel, and the artwork will be donated to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa.  This event will run 2:00-3:30 pm at the hotel.

 Exhibits

This year's Exhibit Reception will be held on Monday, February 18, 2019, from 3:30-6:30 p.m., with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres being served. It will take place onsite a the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina.  Click here for the Exhibit Brochure & Application.  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 39th 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.