OMAHA, NEB. — The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) is bringing its annual convention and exhibition back to the Midwest, this time to Omaha, Neb., from Aug. 1-3 at CHI Health Center and Hilton Omaha.

Attendees can kick off the show with a day-long pre-convention workshop on July 31, which will include presentations from a series of AAMP members. During this workshop, attendees can tour four businesses near Omaha, including a small processor in Oakland, Neb., and Lincoln Premium Poultry in Fremont, Neb. There will also be a tour of a medium-size plant in Wahoo, Neb., and at International Spices, a seasoning company in the area.

The first full day of the convention, Thursday, Aug. 1, will start with the Welcoming Session at 8 a.m. The event’s keynote speaker is scheduled to be Tom Oar, who is featured on The History Channel show “Mountain Men.”

Educational sessions are open to all attendees throughout the convention.

While the sessions start, The American Cured Meat Championships (ACMC) will begin later that day. Processors are invited to bring their best-cured meat products to have them judged against other processors from around the country. The ACMC will have 29 classes of products including this year’s featured class, Specialty Beef Product. The ACMC awards will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3. The Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, Champion and Reserve Champion will be named during the ceremony.

The exhibit hall will be open at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1. The exhibit floor will be open each day — Aug. 1-3 — for 3 to 3 ½ hours.

The annual convention will also include various networking opportunities. Don’t miss the night event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Durham Museum. Charter buses will depart from the Hilton Omaha at 5:30 p.m. Parking is also available.

On Friday, Aug. 2, the convention will start with “Bacon Me Crazy” presented by Rick Leiding of Leiding’s Meats. He will do a deep dive into bacon development and processing.

There also will be a sausage production demonstration run by Gunther Kuhle, who will cover the basics of how attendees can make quality sausages from their local processing plant.

Saturday, Aug. 3, begins early with the ACMC Awards, including the Clarence Knebel Best of Show and the Cured Meat Excellence Award. During this time, AAMP also expects to induct the newest members into the Cured Meats Hall of Fame.

Finally, the Closing Banquet, will be held in Hilton Omaha Ballroom concluding the weekend. The association stated that Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is scheduled to attend.

There will also be a drawing for a trip for two to the 2025 AAMP Convention in Kansas City, Mo.