Microbiologics, a global manufacturer of ready-to-use quality control (QC) microorganisms, has been selected to receive the 2013 Innovation Award in the for-profit category from local organization, the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation. Microbiologics is being honored with this award in recognition of their involvement in conceptualizing and organizing the inaugural St. Cloud State University Food Microbiology Symposium.

In early 2012, Microbiologics Chief Executive Officer, Brad Goskowicz, approached Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) President, Earl Potter, with an idea to host an educational event focusing on food safety and food microbiology. After months of planning and collaboration, the first-ever SCSU Food Microbiology Symposium was held at the Atwood Center on the SCSU campus from October 15 - 17, 2012, drawing more than 125 participants from around the world. The unique event brought together the industry's top key opinion leaders, technology providers, regulatory agencies and students for two days of interactive discussions on what's new in food safety, new technologies, test methods, changes in regulation, and the importance of Quality Control testing.

President of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC), Patti Gartland, commented, "The work Microbiologics has put into developing the SCSU Food Microbiology Symposium fits perfectly with the criteria outlined for the GSDC Innovation Award. We want to give recognition to local companies that have created new and unique ways to positively impact our community, both economically and socially, which is exactly what Microbiologics and the SCSU Food Microbiology Symposium have accomplished."

Brad Goskowicz commented, "Receiving the GSDC Innovation Award in a true honor. Microbiologics is passionate about food safety and pursuing our mission of creating "a safer, healthier world" by providing the highest quality reference materials which help food microbiology laboratories ensure the accuracy of their food-borne pathogen testing." Goskowicz continued, "We are proud to be a part of the SCSU Food Microbiology Symposium because it is a great educational opportunity for the food safety industry and microbiology students alike. The event also encourages collaboration between the food microbiologists, technology providers, regulatory agencies and educators throughout the world."

The 2nd Annual SCSU Food Microbiology Symposium will take place at the Atwood Center on the SCSU campus from October 6 - 8, 2013, with world-renowned food safety expert, Dr. David Acheson, former Associate Commissioner for Foods of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), returning as the keynote speaker for the second year. Other highlights of the 2013 symposium include new hands-on workshops and interactive case study sessions to be conducted in SCSU's new state of the art Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility (ISELF) building. Learn more at www.microbiologics.com.