Monday

Beyond the Basics team, L to R: Michele Schwerha, IRCA Group; Luc Boulianne, Barry Callebaut; Liz Miller, Denali Ingredients; Michelle Van Zant, Baldwin Richardson Foods; Bob Johnson, Fuji Vegetable Oili

Willow Chan, Guittard Chocolate Company at the Western Region Committee Booth.

Attendees with their show bags containing donated items from exhibitors.

Attendees gather at the New Confectioners Welcome breakfast.

Elizabeth Hagerman leads the New Confectioners Welcome breakfast.

Attendees gather at the post-exhibit reception.

Research Committee booth demonstrating viscosity by dipping chocolate.

Randy Hofberger at the Education Committee booth demonstrating compound coating-covered popcorn.

Student Outreach Program mentors and students.

Tuesday

Tuesday speakers L to R: Tim Galloway & Mike Hasler, Galloway Company, Neha Shah, Land O'Lakes; Lorraine Oberholtzer, Cargill; Abdoulaye Traore, ofi (moderator); Gabe Eaton, Russell Stover Chocolates.

Caramel Panel breakout session, L to R: Sean Burns, Sollich NA (moderator); Mark Heim, retired industry consultant; Randy Hofberger, R&D Candy Consultants; Diane Douglas, Sethness Roquette; Mike Koch, retired, Sanders & Morley Candy.

Auditory Cues in Sensory Experience breakout session with Emily Richter, The Hershey Company (L) and Lisa Schroeder, Sensory Spectrum (R).

Rapid Analysis of Cadmium & Lead Content by X-ray Technology breakout session: Willow Chan, Guittard Chocolate Company.

Plant-Based Marshmallows breakout session led by Meredie Cohen, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Fat Migration in Coated Doughnuts & Granola Bars breakout session with Kristina Stork, Bunge.

Generational Sweet Tooth Secrets: Trending Flavors & More breakout session with Julie Pickette, Prova.

Awards Dinner

Rose Potts, Blommer Chocolate Company awards Dave Hess, retired, The Warrell Corporation with the PMCA Distinguished Service Award for longtime outstanding service to PMCA.

Karen Zak awards McKenna Helder, University of Wisconsin the Dennis L. Zak Education Award, which honors Dennis Zak’s love for science, learning, mentoring and confections by recognizing the student participant who most exhibits these qualities.

Sarah Houle, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company awards Jake Walsh, Tate & Lyle with the Marie Kelso Memorial Award for his 2024 conference presentation titled Formulation Challenges & Solutions in Reduced Sugar Gummies.

Attendee group from Blommer Chocolate Company.

Past PMCA Officer Tom Houlihan, Western Region Committee Chair Rebecca Kuehn, Greta Houlihan, & Willow Chan, Guittard Chocolate Company; Mary Beth Houlihan, registration desk volunteer.

L to R: Taelie Kennedy, Utah State University; McKenna Helder, University of Wisconsin; Karen Zak; Student Outreach Committee Chair Carly Meck, Blommer Chocolate Company

Distinguished Service Award recipient Dave Hess with his family.

Ed Wilson, past PMCA officer and current Membership Committee Chair, distributes candy bags to attendees after dinner.