The U.S. Commercial Service of the United States Department of Commerce invites you to take advantage of its International Buyers Program at the show that brings together the most respected food professionals from industry, government, and academia - from all the many disciplines involved in food science and technology - the 2008 1FT Annual Meeting & Food Expo from June 28 to July 01,2008 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana.

The International Buyer Program is a joint United States Government- Industry effort designed to match U.S. companies with international buyers at domestic trade shows, build business partnerships and sell U.S. products and services to international markets. This program facilitates matchmaking business opportunities between U.S. exhibitors and international buyers.

Thousands of food professionals in R&D and other scientific/ technical positions, as well as in corporate management, purchasing, consulting, higher education, government/ regulatory, and technical sales and marketing roles, from around the globe, make their way each year to the 1FT Food Expo, because it is one of the best places to get introduced to the newest products, trends, tools, and techniques.

With more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world and tens of thousands of products, this is your opportunity to see products in action, witness the latest trends, exchange information with your peers, and talk directly with vendors and suppliers. The 1FT Food Expo is by far the most highly regarded new product forum in the industry, bringing together buyers and sellers from all comers of the food science and technology world, and will be attended by more than 22,000 professionals. 1FT's Scientific Program provides you with an in- depth educational experience second to none. This cutting edge program brings together almost 200 educational sessions and more than 1,400 presentations, each led by experts in their respective fields. You will find sessions addressing the hottest topics in the food industry, such as global regulations, environmental sustainability, and more.

Special Opportunities for Delegations:

• All international delegates that pre-register through the U.S. Commercial Service (International Buyers Program), will receive free admission to the Food Expo and discounted admission of $250 into the Scientific Program educational sessions.
• Delegates can take advantage of the International Pavilion, a place to view a comprehensive collection of new products, each presented by vendors with the capacity to do business overseas.
• Delegates will have access to an International Hospitality Lounge and an International Business Center.
• The Export Interest Directory will provide you with information on 1FT Food Expo vendors who are either already doing business outside of the U.S. or are eager to begin doing so.

For more information on the 2008 1FT Annual Meeting & Food Expo, please visit http://www.ift.org/IFT08.

If you are interested in attending the 2008 1FT Annual Meeting & Food Expo, and need assistance in obtaining a visa, or if you are interested in learning more about the U.S. Commercial Service's products and services, please contact: Maretha Malan at Maretha.Malan@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov Tel: 011 7784817/011 7784800 Fax: 011 2686101