The inaugural ISA event was held May 2-5, 2005 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event brought together over 800 individuals from all 50 states and eight foreign countries. In addition to subject matter experts, prominent speakers included U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, and FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Building upon the success of the prior ISA events, which have each time assembled nearly 1000 attendees from more than 20 different countries, we strive to present a balance between current topical material and highly recognized subject matter experts. Each of the three held ISA events has balanced the most prominent keynote speakers and coordinated break-out sessions that include specific case studies to illustrate the importance of the coordinated effort necessary to protect the food supply. The 2008 ISA event featured a topic related table top exercise that was very well received and successful in both its execution and completion.

In order to continue this dialogue, the fourth ISA event is scheduled for April 26, 27, and 28 2011 at the Hyatt Regency and Westin Crown Center Hotels in Kansas City, Missouri: The heartland of the United States. It will focus on the need to closely communicate and coordinate among private industry, law enforcement, government agencies, science, academia and the health and medical professions in order to protect the global food supply. Topics to be discussed will include physical security, biosecurity, intelligence and information sharing, economic and trade concerns, and transportation issues.