Contact: Marti Pupillo
mpupillo@idfa.org
(202) 220-3535

Offers Discounted Registration Rates, Enhances Global Marketing and Adds Exhibitor Benefits

(Washington, D.C. - February 16, 2011) The International Dairy Foods Association has announced an exciting array of new options and benefits for its 2011 International Dairy Show, September 19-21, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Chief among them are new registration packages with reduced rates, increased international outreach and marketing, and an exclusive perk that allows exhibitors to provide complimentary floor passes to premium and prospective customers.

"Attracting the right mix of buyers from the world's leading dairy and food processors continues to be a top priority for us, and we think these new options will pave the way to increase booth visits from influential customers and key decision-makers," said Robin Cornelison, IDFA trade show director.

The International Dairy Show, which had its debut last September in Dallas, offers a multitude of educational sessions, new product demonstrations and valuable networking opportunities designed to keep dairy executives, plants managers, R&D professionals and engineers, among others, on the leading edge of innovation and up to date on the latest issues. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand in Atlanta to demonstrate the latest packaging, processing and technology solutions in the global dairy market.

Reduced Registration Rates

While many attendees appreciate the combined offering of educational sessions and a dynamic exhibit floor, others prefer an a la carte approach, allowing them to choose where to spend their time and money. The new registration fee structure will offer several options to meet these varying needs.

  • The Platinum Pass Customer Invitation program will allow exhibitors to offer an unlimited number of complimentary exhibit-floor-only passes to their current and prospective customers.
  • Processors who want to spend all of their time visiting exhibitor booths will be allowed to purchase exhibit-floor-only passes for a reduced rate.
  • The registration fee for processors who want to attend the educational sessions and visit the exhibit floor has been reduced by more than 20 percent, and those who register early will receive an additional early-bird discount.

The mix of educational sessions also will be enhanced with more courses designed for mid-level plant, operations and management professionals. Sessions on advanced technology, innovative packaging, green transportation, food safety solutions, expanding markets, sustainability, improvements in plant operations and new ingredients top the list of topic ideas currently under consideration. The submission deadline for the call for speakers and presentations is February 19.

Enhanced Global Marketing

International marketing and overall promotion for the show has intensified as well. IDFA has developed a variety of cross promotions with other food and beverage trade shows, as well as additional industry publications, to help build awareness and reach a broader food processing audience.

In addition, four related groups have agreed to co-locate their meetings at the Georgia World Congress Center so their members can attend both events. They are:

  • Joint Food and Agriculture Sector Government Coordinating Council and Sector Coordinating Council, a presidentially mandated partnership between government and the private sector formed by the Department of Homeland Security;
  • Milk Haulers Association;
  • Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP); and
  • QCS Purchasing, a provider of purchasing and related services for the food, beverage and agriculture industry.

Finally, keeping suppliers' budgets keenly in mind, the 2011 International Dairy Show will offer exhibitors an additional move-in day with straight-time rates. This option alone will save some exhibitors up to 20 percent in overtime labor.

"The International Dairy Show is a great showcase for innovation, a convenient meeting place for professionals to discuss pressing issues and a marketplace to find solutions and services," said Neil Moran, IDFA senior vice president, finance, administration and trade show. "With these enhancements, we're sure that exhibitors and attending decision-makers both will consider it a valuable and affordable opportunity."

For more details, visit www.dairyshow.com, or contact Cornelison at rcornelison@idfa.org.

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85% of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.