Bone Student Center, Illinois State University, Bloomington/Normal, Illinois, USA
19th – 24th July 2009
At the end of the Congress a delegate evaluation sheet was distributed to all tables in the conference hall. Sixty completed forms were handed in, a 40% return on the number of delegates attending.
From these forms the information was collated and a report of the results produced.
Main findings:
Congress highly rated with 77% giving the congress a Excellent or Very Good rating. Plenary Sessions and Day Tours particularly highly rated with 92% and 90% Excellent or Very Good respectively. The Pre Congress Tour was also rated at 90% Excellent or Very Good.
Of the plenary presentations those of Prof.Tadeus Paztek (Biofuel) and Dr. Ann Wilkinson (Frontiers of Animal Health) received most mentions as highlights of the congress, with Prof. Bob Thompson, Andrew Young and Lowell Catlett not far behind. The International Panel Farm Management panel with practical farm management speakers from Argentina, Australia and Russia got particular praise, and the other farm management/producer panels from USA and Women in Farm Management were also well appreciated. Of the Day Tours, those to John Deere in Moline which included visits to an Ethanol Plant and large hog producer, and Chicago which included the CBOT and the Chicago High School were particularly highly rated. Bitner Farms (family farm) and Twin Groves (wind farm) also much appreciated. On the downside delegates wanted to socialise for longer, complaining the social events ended too early!
A good many of the survey respondents wanted their thanks to be passed onto the organisers, and followed up with comments such as: “Learnt a lot”, “good conference, well organised”, “overall good conference especially in the circumstances”, “welcoming hosts”, “excellent visits”, “hospitable hosts”, “logistics, structure, information all good”, “Very much enjoyed, second to none”, “Great Job – Congratulations to Illinois and IFMA teams. Thanks.”, “IFMA17 wonderful experience. Professional organisation”, “Good networking, good mix of people, Lots to take back.” And many more.
