From the Association By Nancy Foster, President
The Power of Connection
North American Renderers Association
Much of the North American rendering industry is
based on personal connections built over time. More than
many other industries, rendering companies operate on
relationships developed over decades as well as business
dealings between family rendering operations for generations.
Longstanding suppliers and customers play a vital role as
important partners. New players wishing to do business with
renderers quickly learn that working with them is not merely
transactional, but that time and effort need to be invested to
connect personally with renderers before actual transactions
occur. For renderers, personal work ethic, commitment, and
trusted relationships are important to build a reputation for
doing business in the rendering industry.
Within the North American Renderers Association (NARA),
renderers and their supplier partners come together to
connect, share information, and learn the latest happenings
in the industry. There is no other organization dedicated solely
to promoting and safeguarding the interests of the North
American rendering industry. While much can be gained from
emails and phone calls, nothing truly replaces in-person time
at meetings, dinners, and social events. Since most in-person
gatherings were not possible during this past COVID-19 year,
many companies had to pivot to new ways of engaging with
each other and staying connected.
For its part, NARA turned to virtual meetings, brought
national speakers to members via Zoom, and held a hybrid
virtual and in-person convention last fall. NARA also connected
through its monthly newsletter and Render magazine, as
well as many phone calls. This was less than ideal for new
members since interacting directly with other NARA members
and programs was not possible last year. It usually takes a
few meetings to figure out what the association is about
and how to engage in the numerous programs for maximum
benefit. While NARA clearly explains the value of joining the
association, most learn the benefits by coming in person to
meet with other renderers and hear from speakers about
innovations and trends important to know for business
planning. Much also happens during personal conversations
at social events or coffee breaks, such as how to solve specific
rendering problems or what new ideas to try.
Since COVID-19 restrictions are starting to ease and
many individuals are receiving vaccines against the virus,
NARA is planning to resume in-person meetings this fall and
into next year. There is an eagerness to move past virtual
gatherings to connect with members in person for the best
experience possible. Over the past year, NARA also learned
the value of online gatherings and will continue to offer those
opportunities during the transition to more in-person events.
Below are meetings planned for the coming year by NARA
and the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), the
rendering industry’s research organization. Most are in person,
although some events, such as the FPRF Research Committee
meeting this fall, may be held virtually to allow researchers to
present project proposals and interact directly with committee
members.
Pet Food Alliance Annual Meeting
The 2021 Pet Food Alliance (PFA) Annual Meeting will be
held September 20–21 in person prior to the Petfood Forum
scheduled for September 22–24 in Kansas City, Missouri.
PFA will open with a supplier’s night networking reception
followed by a technical symposium the next day that addresses
foreign materials, the role of transportation in the pet food
and rendering industries, and novel methods to enhance
the safety and quality of pet food ingredients and products.
PFA is also hosting student tours of rendering and pet food
plants on September 25. At press time, registration and hotel
information was expected to be posted by late May on the PFA
website at fprfalliance.agsci.colostate.edu. More information
is also available by emailing cas_pfa@colostate.edu.
NARA Speaker Series
Starting June 15, NARA will bring national speakers on
economic and political topics to its members online each week
through early August. In normal years, these speakers would
address renderers attending NARA’s annual Washington, DC,
fly-in, which is cancelled this year due to COVID-19. Randy
Russell, NARA’s political consultant, will open the speaker
series with a briefing on the outlook for tax increases,
climate-driven legislation, and other priorities of President
Joe Biden’s administration. Other topics in the series include
an agricultural economic outlook, international trade and
exports, port and maritime shipping, the new congressional
transportation and infrastructure package, and biofuels.
NARA’s speaker series will be held each Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
Eastern time through August 3 (except July 6). For information,
contact NARA Membership Coordinator Heather Davis at
hdavis@nara.org.
NARA/FPRF Annual Convention
Always a major attraction, the NARA/FPRF Annual
Convention will be held October 18–22 at the Ritz Carlton-
Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia, a 90-minute drive from
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Highlights
include speakers on upcoming trends and issues as well as
opportunities to expand knowledge by connecting personally
with others in rendering. Attendees learn new information,
18 June 2021 Render www.rendermagazine.com
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