Seminar to Look at Challenges Facing Food Safety and Security Industry Leaders

by Communications and Marketing

The challenges facing leaders in the animal health and food safety industries, particularly along the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, are the focus of the 16th annual Kansas State University Leadership Seminar, "Leading in Extraordinary Times," Thursday, March 15 , at Kansas State University (Manhattan).

"Leading in Extraordinary Times" will provide the tools for participants to take a leadership role in responding to crises in food safety and security, and also to learn about the state's work in biosecurity.

The seminar's keynote speaker will be Magistrate Judge Tommy Webb of Kansas, who will present "You Can Make A Difference" via videostreaming from Manhattan.

The sessions will include:

* Joye Gordon, K-State associate professor of mass communications and journalism. In "OMG, the Psychology of Fear," Gordon will look at the psychological aspects of risk identification and communication.

* Jason Ellis, K-State assistant professor of agricultural communications and journalism. In "Essentials of Food and Agricultural Crisis Communications Planning," Ellis, an expert on crisis communication, will provide seminar participants with tips on how to communicate effectively when crisis strikes and detail strategies for developing a crisis communications plan.

* Scott Rusk, director of operations of Pat Roberts Hall, home of the university's Biosecurity Research Institute. The luncheon speaker, Rusk will present "The BRI - From New Construction to Fully Functional." In his presentation, Rusk will discuss the evolution of the Biosecurity Research Institute. Focus topics include business modeling, operational assurances, risk assessment, risk communication, community outreach, and regulatory compliance. He will make general analogies to development of the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and provide a brief update on that project's status and describe current efforts on the NBAF site specific risk assessment.

Early registration is $95 per person when completed by March 1 ; and $120 after that date. Lunch is included with registration. Online registration, as well as a schedule of seminar activities, seminar brochure, speaker bios and more are available here.

Additional information also is available by contacting Ron Wilson, chair of the Leadership Seminar Committee, at 785-532-7690 or rwilson@k-state.edu , or Dana Reinert, Olathe seminar coordinator, at (913) 307-7340 or via email.