A record-setting crowd of more than 1,600 attended AFFI-CON 2025 hosted by the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). Professionals from frozen ingredient suppliers, processors, retailers and service providers attended this year’s event, which took place in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 22-25.
“As the premier frozen ingredients show, AFFI-CON brings together the global frozen food supply chain and offers unparalleled value,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor. “We are excited to set new record attendance in 2025 and host B2B meetings that drive a stronger and more resilient industry.”
AFFI-CON 2025 included AFFI’s annual meeting, where members voted on the 2025-2028 slate of nominees for the board of directors.
The 2025-2026 board officers are:
• Chair: Suvan Sharma, CEO, Jain Farm Fresh Foods;
• Vice chair: Debbie Radie, chief quality stewardship officer, Boardman Foods; and
• Immediate Past Chair: John Tentomas, founder and CEO, Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods.
The board members elected to serve on the Executive Committee for 2026-2026, alongside the officers, are:
• Tracey Beck, VP, chief counsel-marketing and government affairs, Conagra Brands;
• Jeff Preston, managing director of North America, Ardo VLM;
• Rebecca Scheidler, SVP and general manager of consumer foods at The JM Smucker Company; and
• Tony Shurman, CEO, Jasper Wyman & Son.
The individuals elected to the board of directors for 2025-2028 are:
• Tracey Beck, Conagra Brands;
• Michelle Damon, J.R. Simplot Co.;
• Dale Goyer, Twin City Foods;
• Debbie Radie, Boardman Foods;
• Rebecca Scheidler, The J.M. Smucker Company;
• Tony Shurman, Jasper Wyman & Son;
• Ricky Silver, Daily Harvest;
• Kristen Thompson, B&G Foods ;
• Keith Tiegs, Oregon Potato Company; and
• Joe Yanda, Lakeside Foods.
AFFI-CON also included the presentation of the 2024 Woman of the Year Award, held in partnership with Frozen & Refrigerated Buyer, which recognizes an outstanding woman in the frozen food industry. This year’s award was presented to Dianne Noriega with Expor San Antonio, who is retiring soon after more than 40 years in the industry.
“In addition to AFFI-CON’s unique focus on business development, this year’s event provided educational sessions that foster continuous improvement in food safety and insightful looks into the customer marketplace,” Bodor said. “Whether it’s understanding consumer consumption trends and the future of the energy marketplace or assessing Listeria management and frozen berry supply chain safety, attendees gained new learnings to help their businesses grow and succeed.”
In recognition of the importance of reduced food waste, AFFI also worked in coordination with its host hotel, Hyatt Regency Dallas, to ensure uneaten food was diverted to composting and local shelters.
AFFI-CON 2026 is scheduled to take place Feb, 21-24 in San Diego. For more information about the event, visit affi.org/affi-con.
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About AFFI
The American Frozen Food Institute is the member-driven national trade association representing all segments of the frozen food supply chain from manufacturers to suppliers and distributors. AFFI advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry’s behalf, serves as the voice for the industry and convenes industry leadership to create an environment where frozen foods are essential in a dynamic marketplace. www.affi.org