COLUMBUS, OHIO — Officials from the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) are gearing up to host the 78th Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, Ohio, June 22-25, 2025.

During this conference, meat scientists, students, and industry leaders focus on education, learning and sharing knowledge about achievements and opportunities.

AMSA will hold a pre-conference contest on June 21 with the Iron Chef Competition to kick off the week. Other engaging activities start the next day with the Undergraduate Meat Science Quiz Bowl and student research competitions, which involve undergraduates, masters and PhD students.

Other events held on June 22 include RMC Research ePoster Competitions, a silent auction, and the Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association Meeting. During the evening, the organization will hold its annual welcome reception and announce winners for the ePoster and Student Quiz competitions from earlier in the day.

On June 23, the RMC will hold its opening session, followed by Frederic Leroy, PhD, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, who will discuss the Systematics of Meat in Dietary Policy Making.

“His keynote presentation will challenge conventional approaches to dietary policymaking and propose a more nuanced, systems-based understanding of nourishment,” AMSA said of Leroy. “He will explore how food systems theory can deepen our understanding of historical dietary transitions while also highlighting the risks of oversimplifying these insights in modern interventionist policy. In particular, Professor Leroy will critique the push for a ‘Great Food Transformation’ and its potential unintended consequences. He will conclude with recommendations for a more robust, evidence-based approach to improving global nutrition and driving meaningful dietary change.”

Leroy will also receive the International Lectureship Award during the conference.

After the opening session, the RMC Supplier Showcase will be held throughout the day. At the same time, a few concurrent technical sessions will be held until a networking lunch and AMSA committee meetings.

Following reciprocation sessions and tech talks in the afternoon, RMC plans to hold its annual family picnic and student mixer.

The conference starts again on June 24, with an opening session followed by a keynote speech from Keith Belk, PhD at Colorado State University, titled “The Role of Science in Society and How is it Communicated.”

Other parts of the agenda include more reciprocation sessions, tech talks before the ePoster presentation, and a viewing session. To round out the day, the RMC will hold its annual awards reception and banquet.

The last day of the conference, June 25, begins with a morning fun run before a keynote panel discussion titled “Meat Science Branding and Consumer Engagement.”