BCFPA 2026 Fall Speaker's Evening

The BC Food Protection Association would like to present:

2026 FALL SPEAKER’S EVENING

The BC Food Protection Association is thrilled to host another event for our members and general public! We do not plan on broadcasting our event live through Zoom so we encourage you to consider attending our event in person.

THEME
The Hidden Risk: Microbial Safety Challenges in De-alcoholized Beverages & New Frontiers in Avian Influenza Detection

SPEAKERS
Sonja Lloyd
Laboratory Technician, BC Beverage Technology Access Centre 

Kevin Kuchinski
Director of Genomics, Plant and Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food 

DETAILS
Date: Monday, November 23, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 8:30 pm PT
Location: Langara Clubhouse (this is the Langara Golf Course - 6706 Alberta St, Vancouver, BC)*
*Parking is free for guests

Event poster TBA

REGISTRATION & DINNER
Register here: https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca/event-6861467

Early bird deadline is November 16th! Register today to take advantage of our early bird rate!
Dinner will be provided for in-person attendees.
If you have food allergies or preferences, please let us know under the comment section when you register online, or email us by November 16th, as we will be placing an order for the catered food (dinner) that day.

SCHEDULE
5:00-5:25 PM PT Registration and Light Networking
5:25-5:30 PM PT Welcome Remarks
5:30-6:30 PM PT Speaker 1 - Sonja Lloyd
6:30-7:15 PM PT Dinner Intermission and Networking
7:15-8:15 PM PT Speaker 2 - Kevin Kuchinski
8:15-8:30 PM PT Closing Remarks and Door Prizes

EVENT RATES
In-Person Rates*
BCFPA Members – $60 for Early Bird, $70 for Regular
BCFPA Student/Retired – $45 for Early Bird, $55 for Regular
Non-Member – $90 for Early Bird, $100 for Regular
Early bird rate period lasts from now to Nov 16th
Regular rate period lasts from Nov 17th to the day of event
*In-person rates include the cost of a dinner meal

SPEAKER AND TOPIC DETAILS

Microbial Risk in No, Low and De-alcoholized Beverages: Navigating Safety, Stability, and Innovation



Sonja Lloyd
Laboratory Technician, BC Beverage Technology Access Centre

Bio: Sonja has been working with microbes for 25 years. After earning a BSc in Microbiology and Immunology from UBC, she completed a PhD in Veterinary Microbiology at Washington State University and postdoctoral research in Texas. Her focus was on bacterial foodborne and animal diseases. From 2013-2020 she gained experience in the wine industry as a lab technician along with involvement in many aspects from vineyard to glass. At the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre for the past six years, Sonja combines her scientific background with a passion for fermentation, helping producers troubleshoot and improve beverage stability across a range of drinks - from wine and beer to cider and kombucha.

Summary: Alcohol has traditionally served as an important barrier to microbial growth in fermented beverages. Consumer demand is driving rapid growth in no-, low-, and de-alcoholized (NoLo) products, along with preferences for novel, natural, minimally processed, clean-label products that confer various health benefits such as increased fiber and protein content.  In response, producers are increasingly developing beverages that rely on alternative combinations of formulation, processing, packaging, and preservation strategies. This presentation will examine the unique spoilage and food safety risks associated with NoLo beverages, highlight key knowledge gaps in this emerging sector, and explore the technical support, validation, and risk assessment needs of producers – particularly those operating outside major centres, as they navigate product development, commercialization, and regulatory expectations.


From Wetlands Mud to Barn Air: New Frontiers in Flu Detection



Kevin Kuchinski
Director of Genomics, Plant and Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food 

Bio: Dr. Kevin Kuchinski is the Director of Genomics at the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Plant and Animal Health Centre. He completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia and previously led viral genomics research projects at the BC Centre for Disease Control. His work focuses on developing novel laboratory and computational tools to improve surveillance of high consequence viral diseases. Dr. Kuchinski’s expertise bridges wildlife, environmental, and agricultural health systems, advancing genomics enabled approaches that strengthen pathogen detection and biosecurity across British Columbia.

Summary: Avian influenza continues to impact animal health and food security in British Columbia, demanding smarter and more proactive surveillance strategies. This talk will explore how innovative genome sequencing is transforming early detection by integrating testing from wild animals with environmental sources, including sediment from wetland habitats and air filters from poultry barns. Attendees will learn how these complementary surveillance systems enhance our ability to track avian influenza and strengthen biosecurity in BC’s agrifoods sector.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP
Sustaining Member Display Tables are FREE and are available on first-come, first-serve basis. Contact us at info@bcfoodprotection.ca to reserve a table!

Is your company interested in sponsoring our events? We have corporate sponsorship packages available, click here to find out more information! https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca/Sponsorship

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP & SPONSOR-A-STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
We have 2 sponsorship categories available for our members who wish to support our students and association:
1. Those who wish to sponsor-a-student to attend our upcoming event, and 
2. Individual member sponsors who wish to contribute a small donation as an Individual Sponsor for our event - e.g. $10 

You can read more about our sponsorship categories here: https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca/Sponsorship

For our individual and sponsor-a-student sponsors: recognition can be public (your first and last name will be listed on our event announcements) or you may be anonymous (if you choose to hide your name). Please list your preference if you choose to sponsor our event.

You can reach us at info@bcfoodprotection.ca if you have any questions about our upcoming event or are interested in sponsoring our event and students!


Kind Regards,
BC Food Protection Association Executive Board