Download the 2025 Convention Booklet

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

For 2025, we will have two different events for you to pick from. Each event is $50 per person and must pre-register. Transportation and lunch are provided with each event. Charter buses will leave promptly from the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Pre-registration is required as space is limited for each event!

Bus Tour- 8 AM - 4 PM
We will tour four unique businesses in the Kansas City area. Stops include: Kurzweils Meats, Paradise Locker Meats, The Local Pig and KC Sausage Co.

Spouse Tour - 9 AM - 3:30 PM
Whether it is your first time in Kansas City or your 21st, we have an adventure for you on Wednesday, July 23rd, for those not going on the plant bus tour. Get ready to boost your morning with fresh pastries and coffee at a local Roasterie. We will be dazzled with knowledge as we go on a factory tour, learning how all things coffee is done. Add in a 15-minute class on how to brew the best coffee and LOOK OUT!

Get ready to leave jazzed up as we travel by bus to the Overland Park area of KC. Hope you did not fill up too much on pastries, because lunch at Grimaldi's Pizzeria and Pasta is on the menu from 11:30-1:00 pm. We will spend the rest of the afternoon working off our caffeine buzz and calories by shopping, and then at 2:00 pm we enter “BRK Through.” It is an entertainment experience unlike anything we have ever experienced. At over 22,000 square feet, it features 40 unique and immersive high-tech challenge rooms. In these rooms, there will be mental, physical and skill-based challenges. It is Team vs. Room.

We will conclude our adventurous day at 4:00 pm back at the hotel. The only cost to you is your pastries and coffee and any alcohol you purchase at lunch and/or at BRK Through. Come join us for fun, laughs, and connection, and be a part of the BEST BUS TOUR on Wednesday. You can purchase tickets for the bus tours when you register for the convention on our website.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, President’s Welcome Reception/Swag Swap
Location: Kansas City Marriott Downtown
AAMP President Scott Filbrandt will be hosting a reception for all convention attendees with light refreshments provided. All attendees are welcome.

Would you like to boost your meat T-shirt collection? We have just the opportunity for you at our convention in Kansas City this July! AAMP will be hosting a president's reception on Wednesday, July 23, in the Basie Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel, and we will have a swag swap table for anyone interested in participating. All you have to do is bring 5 of your company's T-shirts to the reception with you. Once you're ready to leave, you can pick up 5 T-shirts from other companies. Our first swag swap was last year, and we heard from many processors who wish they had they had brought shirts so they could participate. So, don't miss out this year, and bring your best and/or punniest shirts to the convention!

Thursday, July 24, 2025

(All sessions to be held at the Kansas City Convention Center)

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM, Welcoming Session
Keynote Speaker: Dan Meers-KC Wolf (Mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs)
Attend this session and get an overview of the coming week. Opening remarks will be made by AAMP President Scott Filbrandt with the presentation of the F.W. Witt Supplier of the Year Award and the Stephen F. Krut Scholarship Award. After the awards presentation, hear from keynote speaker Dan Meers. Dan has a truly inspiring story to share on his journey as the mascot for the multi-super bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs!

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, ACMC Registration (Click here for more ACMC information)

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, Session: New Member Welcome Session
Speakers: Chris Young, American Association of Meat Processors, Scott Filbrandt, American Association of Meat Processors President/Bob’s Processing, MI
Is this your first AAMP convention or 50th? Either way, this session is for you! Join Chris and Scott as they talk all things AAMP, discuss what you need to know to make the most of convention and have time to “meat” your fellow new members. A great way to start off Convention and gain connections!

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Session: Wellness, Resiliency, and Mental Health for Meat Processors
Speaker: Nichole Sargent, Southpaw Packing, ME
This presentation will provide actionable insights into mental health and wellness strategies tailored for the meat processing industry. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge, engage in meaningful discussions, and receive practical tools to build a culture of well-being in their workplaces. Businesses can experience increased productivity, engagement, job satisfaction, and employee morale by prioritizing mental health. This session aims to empower meat processors with the knowledge and resources to prioritize wellness and build resilient, productive teams.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Pricing for Profit in Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Speaker: Good Roots
This presentation will delve into pricing strategies that help ranchers and meat processors succeed in the direct-to-consumer market. We will explore how to amplify your unique voice to build consumer trust, balance inventory, and manage gross margins to achieve sustained profitability. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to make their marketing resonate and deliver value.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Session: Succession Planning
Speaker: Steven Burger, Burger’s Smokehouse, MO
Founder E.M. Burger started selling country hams in 1927 to supplement the family’s modest farm income. What began as a small side venture has since evolved into a thriving business spanning four generations. This session will explore strategies for successfully transferring management and ownership to the next generation in multigenerational family enterprises.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Session: Cyber Security
Speaker: Jake Sailer, Sailer’s Meats, WI, Robert Austin, Tech Express IT LLC
Cyber security and threat detection have become a top priority for all of us. With ransomware and phishing at an all-time high, your business is at risk every minute of every day. Learn from a processor how his business was attacked. Learn from a consultant in the tech industry about how to protect your business.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM, Session: Smoked Fish 101
Speakers: Scott Filbrandt, Bob’s Processing, MI
Why make smoked fish when you’re not near a water source? Contrary to what you might think, it’s entirely possible to prepare delicious smoked fish without a traditional smokehouse. People love it, and with the right techniques, you can achieve excellent results at home. Allow me to guide you through the process using our award-winning 2004 ACMC Grand Champion recipe and a proven smokehouse schedule.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM, Session: Clarity in Numbers: Unlocking the Path to Profitability
Speakers: Good Roots and Paradise Locker Meats, MO
Join us for a detailed financial review with Paradise Locker Meats, where we analyze cash flow, labor ratios, and budget performance. Through real-world numbers, we’ll highlight the relationship between wholesale and retail operations, gross profit margins, and inventory management. Learn how financial clarity can evolve into actionable strategies that drive profitability.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM, Session:Immigration Compliance: I-9 Employment Eligibility and Worksite Enforcement.
Speaker:Timothy D'Arduini and Nicholas Lowrey, Klasko Immigration Law Partners
Questions about your workforce? I-9 audits, notices of inspection, and raids are increasing. Now is the time to review your internal policies and uncover hidden risks. Join attorneys at Klasko Immigration Law Partners as they break down recent policy changes, potential enforcement actions, and best practices for maintaining a strong compliance program. This session will be ideal for employers looking to strengthen their worksite compliance policies and processes in an increasingly high-stakes environment.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM, Session: Sanitation & Food Safety
Speakers: We R Food Safety
Sanitation is the foundational base of food safety. We will discuss what chemicals work best for controlling the different types of pathogens. We are also going to discuss harborage points and how to address them as well as holding teams accountable for maintaining sanitation. A panel of processors will provide real life examples of what to do and how to do it.

1:00 PM – 4:30 PM, Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Kansas City Convention Center

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Thursday Night Event – Chicken N Pickle, North Kansas City
Join us for this year’s event at Chicken N Pickle North Kansas City. AAMP members of all ages will have a great time at this Unique venue with a wood-clad, chicken-centric joint with a patio, rooftop bar & pickleball courts.

Friday, July 25, 2025

(All sessions to be held at the Kansas City Convention Center)

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM, Demo: 123 Charcuterie-Me
Presenters: Chris Kurzweil, Kurzweil’s Meats, MO and Mike Sloan, Hermann Wurst Haus, MO
A workshop experiencing all aspects of charcuterie from flavor profiles and curing whole muscle products and ground and formed summer sausage and salami. This workshop will go through mixing, stuffing and hanging products as well as the differences in processes between using citric acid and starter cultures. And last but not least we will teach you how to build a grazing table or board utilizing different items for varied tastes and textures including meats, cheeses, dips, crackers, dried fruits and various other components.

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Kansas City Convention Center

12:45 PM – 2:00 PM, Demo: The Best BBQ in the USA
Kansas City is world famous for its BBQ. You can’t even get off the airplane without having that sweet smell in the air. Come join several area BBQ masters as they share tips and tricks for making mouth-watering masterpieces sure to please your customers.

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM, Session: Optimizing Efficiency with Equipment
Presenters: Jon Frohling, ScottPec
Having the right equipment will save time and money for your business. Jon presents a comprehensive look at purchasing equipment to optimize efficiency and increase production and profits. You will learn key points including: return on investment of each piece of equipment, when is the right time to purchase new equipment, how one equipment purchase has an instant impact on your bottom line and can save time and increase production and be provided examples of how equipment purchases will increase profits and efficiency.

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM, Session: EOS 2.0
Presenters: Michele Mollard, EOS Implementor
The top frustration these days in businesses is PEOPLE. So Let’s Talk People. Come tactically learn 3 tools and how to use them to ignite your staff. This hands-on workshop will give you clarity in the roles of your staff, and understand if your employees truly get the job, want the job and have the capacity to do the job. Additionally, learn how staff will buy-in to processes and follow them. Lastly, how living your core values will fundamentally build a culture where accountability runs rampant throughout your staff.

5:00PM – 7:00 PM, Meat Industry Hall of Fame Induction and Reception
Location: Kansas City Convention Center
All are invited to attend!

Saturday, July 26

(All sessions to be held at the Kansas City Convention Center)

7:30 AM – 10:00 AM, ACMC Awards
Have your products earned top honors? Grand Champion, Reserved Grand Champion, Champion and Reserve Champion plaques will be awarded in 29 classes, including the 2025 Featured Class of Poultry Sausage. Who will be awarded the coveted Clarence Knebel Best of Show award and who will earn the Cured Meat Excellence Award for having competed the best throughout the competition? Candidates selected for induction into the Cured Meats Hall of Fame will also take place during this session.

Business Meeting
Join us for the annual AAMP Business Meeting, where you will hear a few words
from AAMP’s leadership, discuss elections to AAMP’s Board of Directors, and most
importantly, a critical report on the state of the small plant operator in the meat &
poultry industry. Awards will be presented at this session for the following: Best Single Booth Award, Best Multiple Booth Award, and the Golden Cleaver Awards.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, ACMC Product Viewing

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Exhibit Hall Open
Location: Kansas City Convention Center

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM, ACMC Scorecard & Product Pickup

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM, Bull Session – Which Session “meats” your need?
Pick one:
Custom Processing
Retail Space
Co-Packing
Board members will lead these sessions, answering question you have about certain aspects of the meat processing world. This is a great opportunity to learn more about a particular area you are currently in, or an area you are thinking about expanding to.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Cocktail Reception
Kansas City Marriott Downtown

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Banquet
Kansas City Marriott Downtown
The American Convention of Meat Processor’s Closing Banquet will be held in Kansas City Marriott Downtown Ballroom and will conclude the annual convention. The Achievement and Accomplishment Awards will be presented, and the Grand Prize winner will be drawn. The Grand Prize is a trip for two (2) to the 2026 American Convention of Meat Processors & Suppliers’ Exhibition in Milwaukee, WI. The grand prize includes: economy airfare from any “major” gateway city in the U.S.; four (4) nights’ accommodations, compliments of the Hilton Milwaukee; complimentary convention registration for two (2); and two (2) tickets to the Thursday Night Event and Saturday Night Banquet.