Southwest Meat Association (SMA) is a leading meat and poultry trade organization representing packers and processors all over the United States. SMA is an organization created to make a difference for its members by initiating opportunities, resolving problems, and thus helping our member companies to earn a reasonable return on their investment.
Membership Benefits:
Advocacy
Networking Opportunities
Educational Programs
HACCP Training
Regulatory Assistance
Membership Directory
Nutritional Labeling
Information Services
Annual Convention
LATEST NEWS:
12th Annual Mid-Year Conference: Succeeding in Challenging Times
February 11-12, 2020
Sheraton Arlington ♦ Arlington, TX
Register and find out more information here.
Tentative Agenda
February 11 – Tuesday
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM – General Session
- FSIS Administrator Update – Carmen Rottenberg, Administrator, USDA/FSIS
- Industry Collaboration on Foreign Material, Recalls & Other Regulatory Issues – John Dillard, OFW Law
- Global Trade and Its Impact on U.S. Processors – Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation
- Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards: Do They Impact Me? – Steve Bellew, U.S. Department of Homeland Security/CSIS
- Transportation Issues Facing Processors – Speaker TBA
- Revising Appendix A & B: Status Update – Katie Rose McCullough, NAMI
- What SMA is Doing for You?- Joe Harris, SMA
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Suppliers’ Reception
February 12 – Wednesday
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Risk Management Workshop
Making Risk Management Work For You – presented by IBTX Risk Services
- Active Shooter Awareness – Byron Piechowski
- Growing and Developing Your Workforce – J’Mella Hinkston
- OSHA is Here, Now What? – Pedro Mercado & Byron Piechowski
- Taking Your Risk Management from Average to Exceptional: An Open Panel Discussion – Moderator: Stephanie Sears; Panelists: Byron Piechowski, Pedro Mercado, Lisa Hahn, and J’Mella Hinkston
Proudly sponsored by:
SMA Leadership in Washington D.C.
In October, SMA joined up with 19 individuals representing SMA member companies (the biggest group to date!) and traveled to Washington D.C. for meetings with Congressmen and women and regulators. The group visited with the White House Office of Public Liaison for Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service officials, House Committee on Agriculture staff, Senate Agriculture Committee staff, House Judiciary Committee staff, and 14 individual congressional offices.
Topics included international trade, labor and immigration, reducing the regulatory burden on businesses, and the general business climate in which our industry operates. The group also received updates from FSIS on modernization efforts, labeling, foreign materials, pathogen testing/performance standards, and others.
“I have been participating on these trips for several years, and I believe this was our best, most productive to date. It really makes a difference for our elected officials to hear from us firsthand about the challenges we face. I would strongly encourage all members to consider attending these trips, because I truly believe through continued efforts over time, we can effect positive change for our industry.”- Jason Beyer of ABF Packing & SMA Chairman
