American Meat Institute

The American Meat Institute (AMI) was the oldest and largest trade association representing the U.S. meat and poultry industry. As of 2015, it is merged into the North American Meat Institute (NAMI).

Founded in 1906 in Chicago as the American Meat Packers Association, the American Meat Institute is a trade association that provides leadership to advance the interests of America’s meat and poultry packing and processing companies, and the 526,000 workers they employ, before government, media, and the public.

The organization was created shortly after the passage of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and spent much its early years helping meat packers adjust to new inspection requirements. AMI moved its headquarters in 1979 to Washington, DC, where it remains today.

AMI’s membership ranged from large, publicly traded companies that employ thousands to small businesses. More than half of AMI’s members were small, family-owned businesses employing fewer than 100 individuals and one-third employ less than 50. Collectively, AMI’s 200 member companies produced 90 percent of the beef, pork, veal and lamb food products and 75 percent of the turkey food products in the U.S.

In addition to advocating before government, media and the public, AMI also provided programs, services, expositions and educational seminars to benefit its members. Through the American Meat Institute Foundation, which was originally created in 1944, AMI conducted scientific research designed to help meat and poultry companies improve their plants and their products.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council was founded in 1994 by the American Meat Institute and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is an American trade association that promotes the hot dog and sausage industry.

AMI was governed by elected leaders and staffed by 32 professionals. AMI elected leaders include five officers plus the President and CEO, as well as a 70-person Board of Directors and a 23-person Executive Committee. Representatives on both of these bodies included leaders in both the supplier and packer/processor segments of the industry. AMI had also created operating groups, called policy committees and advisory committees, within its membership to allow member companies to recommend AMI policies in their primary areas of interest.

AMI and the AMI Foundation sponsored annual education conferences, topical workshops, award programs, committee meetings and an annual trade show.

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