Overview
Dairy Forum heads to San Antonio, Texas, in 2025 with the premier annual event for dairy industry leaders.
Presented by the International Dairy Foods Association, Dairy Forum convenes more than 1,000 leaders from across the dairy supply chain to push the limits of innovation, collaboration, and excellence, and to chart a course towards LIMITLESS success for the industry.
Spread across four days, Dairy Forum includes main sessions, deep dive sessions, panel discussions, special presentations by conference partners, and numerous opportunities to connect with leaders in the dairy industry.
Unleash Dairy's Limitless Potential. Unleash Your Limitless Potential.
Limits are self-imposed. Dairy Forum 2025 will present sessions that expand the boundaries of dairy leaders’ visions for their businesses. How can dairy companies expand their labor and talent pools? How can dairy exceed record domestic consumption and export figures in recent years? What non-traditional partnerships can dairy executives leverage to expand their technological capabilities, or their brand awareness? Gain insights and inspiration from leading thinkers and experts in business leadership, technology, nutrition, sustainability and more.
Come prepared to advance your knowledge and unite with leaders from across the supply chain—from farmers to cooperatives, processors, suppliers, retailers, foodservice and government. Dairy Forum is the only event where leaders from across the dairy supply chain meet to exchange ideas, foster innovation, and cultivate meaningful connections. Join us this year in San Antonio!
Agenda
*All Times Central Print Agenda
January 26, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
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7:30am |
Morning Golf Tournament
Sponsored By:
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The Oaks at TPC | |
9:00am |
5K Fun Run
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Sunset Lawn | |
1:00pm |
Afternoon Golf Tournament
Sponsored By:
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The Oaks at TPC | |
2:00pm - 4:00pm |
IDFA Executive Council Meeting (invitation only)
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Grand Salon NOP | |
5:00pm - 5:45pm |
Chairman's Reception (invitation only)
Sponsored By:
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6:00pm - 7:00pm |
Chairman’s Lecture: Kevin McCarthy
Sponsored By:
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Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
Join us for an insightful session with Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy as we delve into the key priorities of the new Administration and the 119th Congress. With his unparalleled experience working closely with leadership from both parties, Former Speaker McCarthy offers a unique perspective on the future landscape of Washington. Discover what the recent elections signify for the dairy industry and gain valuable insights into the potential implications. Explore the key players shaping this environment, anticipate the policies and legislation that will take center stage in the first year, and contemplate the broader effects of shifting power dynamics for both the U.S. and the global stage. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving political landscape and its impact on various sectors, guided by the expertise of Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. |
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7:00pm - 8:30pm |
Welcome Reception
Sponsored By:
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River Bend Pavilion | |
January 27, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
8:30am - 9:30am | President's Breakfast | Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
Join us for the 2025 President’s Breakfast where Michael Dykes will deliver the Annual State of Dairy Address. He will review the past year's developments in the dairy industry and provide insights into the future. His presentation will highlight the LIMITLESS possibilities that emerge when our industry unites to prioritize and tackle our key opportunities and challenges. This is a must-attend event for anyone invested in the future of dairy. |
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9:30am - 9:45am | Networking Break | Grand Foyer | |
9:45am - 10:45am | Deep Dive Session - The Future of Dairy Procurement | ||
Join us for an enlightening session on the future of dairy procurement, where we will explore the evolving landscape of sourcing and purchasing dairy products in a rapidly changing industry. As global challenges and technological advancements reshape the dairy sector, it becomes critical to stay ahead with innovative procurement strategies. This session will bring together industry procurement leaders to discuss emerging trends, best practices, and the latest tools to optimize dairy procurement operations.
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9:45am - 10:45am |
Deep Dive Session - Beyond Carbon: Business & Natural Capital
Sponsored By:
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Some have called the 2020s the decade of climate action. In parallel, there is momentum behind corporate stewardship, standards, reporting, and investment in natural capital and biodiversity. While near-term carbon outcomes are of vital importance, this panel will explore the long-run importance of also considering how full ecosystems are connected to our business operations. |
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10:45am - 11:00am | Networking Break | Grand Foyer | |
11:00am - 12:00pm |
Deep Dive Session: State of Women in Dairy - A Progress Report
Sponsored By:
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In 2024, IDFA presented the first ever State of Women in Dairy survey readout, complete with key findings and recommendations for greater gender equality across the dairy sector. Join a follow up discussion to learn about progress made, see new benchmarking data, what partnerships have formed, and where we go from here. |
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11:00am - 12:00pm |
Deep Dive Session: Got Security? Protecting Dairy Processing in the Digital Age
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Cybersecurity threats in the dairy food and agriculture sectors pose unique challenges that require targeted solutions. This panel session brings together experts to discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in these industries, share insights into current vulnerabilities, and explore effective strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure and data. |
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12:15pm - 2:00pm | Lunch Session: Carla Harris | Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
2:00pm - 3:00pm |
General Session: Leveraging Dairy's Health Halo to Attract Young and Non-Traditional Consumers
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Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
Dairy products play a critical role in the healthy diets of Americans, yet not all Americans believe dairy is essential to their diet. How can the dairy industry leverage current population trends, new product innovation and government initiatives to solidify dairy’s healthy halo among all Americans? This panel will identify opportunities for dairy companies to better appeal to younger demographics and to change the perceptions of those who believe dairy does not fit within their diet. |
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3:00pm - 3:30pm |
Media Meet and Greet (invitation only)
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3:00pm - 4:00pm |
International Trade Committee Meeting (invitation only)
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3:00pm - 4:00pm |
Legal Community Meeting (invitation only)
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3:15pm - 4:00pm |
Unlocking Growth: Harnessing the Power of REAL Dairy and Health & Wellness to Give Consumers What They Really Want
Sponsored By:
|
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Dairy Management, Inc. has discovered that more than 50% of consumers are dissatisfied with how current food, beverage and supplement offerings meet their health and wellness needs. Join us for an exclusive session tailored for industry leaders, where we’ll dive deep into the findings from a comprehensive study involving over 12,000 U.S. consumers to reveal what consumers really want for their health and wellness needs and what it means for dairy. You’ll be introduced to a series of cutting-edge innovation tools, including a claims playbook, a digital platform and resource tool, plus an innovation showcase of global products, concepts and inspiring product prototypes. These solutions are designed to align perfectly with the evolving needs of today’s consumers, providing your organization with a unique opportunity to accelerate growth and outpace the competition. Don’t miss this chance to gain actionable insights and explore how REAL dairy can be the key to unlocking new growth avenues for your business. |
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3:15pm - 4:00pm |
Artificial Intelligence and Automation in Dairy Production
Sponsored By:
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As we enter the next industrial revolution, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in food production is not just an opportunity but a necessity to remain competitive. In a market flooded with discussions on digital transformation, AI, and automation, cutting through the noise and taking the first practical step can be challenging. This session will delve into the transformative potential of AI in the dairy industry, offering a clear and pragmatic roadmap of proven solutions to well-known challenges. We will provide an in-depth examination of what the combination of automation and AI mean for dairy operations, highlighting practical and effective solutions that save time, money, and unnecessary effort. Through real-world examples, we will demonstrate how our innovative solutions empower dairy producers to make better everyday decisions, leveraging industry knowledge and experience rather than relying solely on technology. Join us to discover how Tetra Pak can propel your dairy operation into the future, harnessing the power of AI and automation to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. |
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3:30pm - 4:00pm |
Press Briefing
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4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Women in Dairy Event
Sponsored By:
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5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Foundation Cornhole Tournament
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6:00pm - 7:30pm |
PAC Reception (invitation only)
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January 28, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
7:15am - 8:15am |
State Association Executive Meeting (invitation only)
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8:30am - 9:30am |
Breakfast Session: Rural Economic Outlook
Sponsored By:
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Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
What to expect on interest rates. Examining the reliability of the nation’s electric grid. Understanding artificial intelligence and our labor market. These topics and more will be covered by Tom Halverson, president and CEO of CoBank. Halverson is responsible for implementing the strategic and business direction for CoBank, one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy. The bank delivers loans, leases and other financial services to agribusiness, food and supply cooperatives, rural infrastructure, and Farm Credit customers in all 50 states. In his presentation, Tom will share CoBank’s assessment on the state of the farm, food, and rural economies, risks and opportunities in domestic markets, and the key trends that every food and agribusiness CEO should be aware of. In 2023, CoBank recorded one of the best years in its history from a financial standpoint, despite substantial uncertainty and volatility in the macro economy. Average loan volume reached all-time highs. Credit quality in their loan portfolio remained strong. Hear Tom’s perspective on how food and agriculture businesses can continue to deliver value to customers and shareholders by understanding the trends shaping America’s rural economy. |
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9:30am - 9:45am |
Networking Break
Sponsored By:
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Grand Foyer | |
9:45am - 10:45am |
Deep Dive Session: Dairy in an Evolving Health Environment
Sponsored By:
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The U.S. spends roughly $1.1 trillion per year to treat diet-related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and cancer—a problem recognized by government, healthcare companies, and food industry alike. Each of these sectors is responding—how can dairy better leverage its positive health benefits to help improve health and compete in the evolving market? Join us as we explore the rise of GLP-1 drugs, current industry research and marketing efforts, and the role of government nutrition programs and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. |
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9:45am - 10:45am |
Deep Dive Session: FMMO Changes - Impacts on Risk Management for Processors and Buyers
|
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Changes in Class I price formula will make risk management more complicated for beverage milk processors, while using only cheddar blocks for pricing Class III milk will change basis points and possibly reduce risk for most cheese buys and sellers, including exports. |
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10:45am - 11:00am |
Networking Break
Sponsored By:
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Grand Foyer | |
11:00am - 12:00pm |
Deep Dive Session: Making Dairy Limitless for the Next Black Swan Event
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A global pandemic, wars, tariffs, and shortages. Five years later, supply chain disruptions seem like yesterday’s problem. But experts think these kinds of events will continue, rather than dissipate. How are YOU prepared to be limitless in the next black swan event? Come hear from experts who spend their careers studying disruption to talk about a few future scenarios and how to prepare for them. |
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11:00am - 12:00pm |
Deep Dive Session: Strategic Advocacy in a Post-Chevron World
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In the six months since the Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright and Corner Post decisions, advocates for dairy are already adjusting to the seismic shift in policymaking responsibilities among federal legislators, regulators and courts. In this deep dive, learn more about how food and agriculture advocates must adapt their strategies to be successful advocates for dairy and to improve the business climate for the future. |
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12:15pm - 2:00pm | Lunch Session: Eric Traupe | Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
A powerful voice in the Intelligence Community and one of its leading national security professionals, Eric Traupe is the former assistant director of the CIA for the Near East and served on the front lines of U.S. counterterrorism efforts for more than 20 years. He remains a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking leaders, having advised CIA directors, presidents, cabinet and military officials, and members of Congress. Eric will discuss the geopolitical and economic issues as we head into 2025, share an intelligence insider’s assessment of the potential outcomes of headline-grabbing global issues, as well as the possible impact on businesses, the global economy, and society. From the front lines to the White House and to the board room, Traupe will offer his perspectives on the geopolitical drivers that contribute to market volatility, supply chain disruption, and factors that are paving the way to a new world order that dairy industry leaders will need to understand to prosper. |
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2:00pm - 3:00pm |
General Session: What's New in Dairy Product Ingredient Innovation
Sponsored By:
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Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
Learn from the experts about new and novel dairy ingredients that have entered the marketplace or that are in the near-term pipeline and what consumer trends and demands are driving this innovation. |
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3:15pm - 4:00pm |
Transforming Dairy for the Future: Driving Automation, Innovation, and Growth with Cloud Technology
Sponsored By:
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3:15pm - 4:00pm |
Leading through Material Science: Advancing Sustainable Packaging Innovations for Dairy Products
Sponsored By:
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In the dairy industry, where freshness, safety, and shelf life are paramount, the role of sustainable materials in flexible packaging is vital. This session explores how advances in material science are driving more fiber or film-based sustainable solutions in dairy packaging by reducing environmental impact without compromising product performance. We will examine a wide range of innovative sustainable materials and explore how material science is paving the way for packaging that meets regulatory demands and consumer expectations. Attendees will gain insights into current and emerging packaging technologies that enhance recyclability, support circular economy, extend product shelf life, improve production efficiency and reduce waste in the dairy supply chain. |
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3:15pm - 4:45pm |
NextGen Leadership Roundtable (invitation only)
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3:30pm - 4:30pm |
Economic Policy Committee Meeting (invitation only)
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3:30pm - 4:30pm |
Sustainability Committee Meeting (invitation only)
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5:30pm - 7:00pm | Cocktails and Conversation | ||
January 29, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
8:00am - 9:00am |
General Session: The Four Seasons of a CEO: Navigating Leadership Transitions and Strategic Evolution
Sponsored By:
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Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
The dairy industry is facing a pivotal time, facing surmounting pressures of sustainability along with changing industry regulation and a shifting labor market. Strong leadership is required to lead the dairy industry and navigate through this pivotal period. The plenary session will introduce the six key practices that set exceptional leaders apart from the rest;
The session will close with a panel featuring 4 CEOs which will provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and strategies at different stages of a CEO's career, from mid-career development to first-time CEO challenges to legacy and succession planning, and the continuous evolution of skills and lessons learned. |
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9:00am - 10:00am |
General Session: Saving Lives: How Dairy Is Partnering To Address Crises
Sponsored By:
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Grand Oaks Salon GHIJ | |
For decades, partners like Feeding America and the American Red Cross have made it possible for food companies to step up and address crises and disasters in the U.S. and abroad. Increasingly, nutritious dairy foods and dairy ingredients in fresh and shelf-stable formats are playing a vital role in getting important nutrients to hungry, malnourished, and vulnerable people through domestic and international relief programs. Join entrepreneur and humanitarian Hamdi Ulukaya and leaders from the nation’s foremost hunger relief and disaster response organizations for a special discussion on aligning corporate mission with values to help those in need. |
Chairman’s Lecture: Kevin McCarthy
Join us for an insightful session with Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy as we delve into the key priorities of the new Administration and the 119th Congress. With his unparalleled experience working closely with leadership from both parties, Former Speaker McCarthy offers a unique perspective on the future landscape of Washington.
Discover what the recent elections signify for the dairy industry and gain valuable insights into the potential implications. Explore the key players shaping this environment, anticipate the policies and legislation that will take center stage in the first year, and contemplate the broader effects of shifting power dynamics for both the U.S. and the global stage.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving political landscape and its impact on various sectors, guided by the expertise of Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy is the 55th Speaker of the House.
Described as a man who exudes “true American grit,” McCarthy's political journey is the quintessential American story. After starting a small business at the age of 21, McCarthy went back to college to earn his bachelor and master degrees in business. He was rejected for an internship to the congressional seat he later held for seventeen years. Prior to being elected to Congress, McCarthy served in the California State Legislature where he became the fastest rising Minority Leader in the history of the California State Assembly.
McCarthy won the Speakership after a historic 15 ballots, and went on to secure $2 trillion in deficit reduction, all while protecting the full faith and credit of the United States, keeping our government open, and making sure our troops were paid. He also refocused Congress on America’s long-term challenges by creating the first-ever Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Throughout his career, McCarthy fought for a more effective, efficient, and accountable federal government. He also personally recruited and actively supported commonsense candidates for office who have helped reshape the Republican Party – several of whom have become Senators, Governors, and cabinet secretaries. Overall, under his leadership, dozens of new Republican women, minorities, and veterans have been elected to Congress.
In Congress, he held nearly every elected leadership position in the House Republican conference and served under three Presidents, during two economic crises, and through consistent political upheaval while always maintaining his approach to governing as a Happy Warrior.
President's Breakfast
Join us for the 2025 President’s Breakfast where Michael Dykes will deliver the Annual State of Dairy Address. He will review the past year's developments in the dairy industry and provide insights into the future. His presentation will highlight the LIMITLESS possibilities that emerge when our industry unites to prioritize and tackle our key opportunities and challenges. This is a must-attend event for anyone invested in the future of dairy.
Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
Michael Dykes, D.V.M., a long-time government affairs strategist, agricultural policy expert, and veterinarian, became president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association in January 2017. In this role, he represents members that make more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Since joining IDFA, Dykes has been a strong advocate for the importance of global competitiveness to the future of the U.S. dairy industry. He has made preserving trade partnerships with Mexico and improving Canadian market access for U.S. dairy exports in all future trade agreements a priority for IDFA. Prior to assuming his role at IDFA, Dykes served as vice president of government affairs for Monsanto, where he was responsible for developing and implementing a portfolio of U.S. government relations strategies and programs that included agricultural biotechnology policy. He led Monsanto's office in Washington, D.C., and served as the company's primary point of contact for elected officials, regulatory authorities, U.S. farm organizations, key industry participants, trade associations, international organizations and embassies. He directed the company's efforts in state and local government affairs, in addition to government affairs in Mexico and Canada. Dykes is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Academy of Practitioners. He has served on the Farmhouse Fraternity board for 3+ years. He is also a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and has served on the USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21).
Dykes grew up on a small dairy and tobacco farm in Kentucky. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. He also attended the University of Kentucky where he received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.
Deep Dive Session - The Future of Dairy Procurement
Join us for an enlightening session on the future of dairy procurement, where we will explore the evolving landscape of sourcing and purchasing dairy products in a rapidly changing industry. As global challenges and technological advancements reshape the dairy sector, it becomes critical to stay ahead with innovative procurement strategies.
This session will bring together industry procurement leaders to discuss emerging trends, best practices, and the latest tools to optimize dairy procurement operations.
- Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
- New Technology and AI
- Supplier Relationships
- Risk Management in Dairy Procurement
- Costs Management
- Regulatory and Compliance Issues
Deep Dive Session - Beyond Carbon: Business & Natural Capital
Some have called the 2020s the decade of climate action. In parallel, there is momentum behind corporate stewardship, standards, reporting, and investment in natural capital and biodiversity. While near-term carbon outcomes are of vital importance, this panel will explore the long-run importance of also considering how full ecosystems are connected to our business operations.
Deep Dive Session: State of Women in Dairy - A Progress Report
In 2024, IDFA presented the first ever State of Women in Dairy survey readout, complete with key findings and recommendations for greater gender equality across the dairy sector. Join a follow up discussion to learn about progress made, see new benchmarking data, what partnerships have formed, and where we go from here.
Deep Dive Session: Got Security? Protecting Dairy Processing in the Digital Age
Cybersecurity threats in the dairy food and agriculture sectors pose unique challenges that require targeted solutions. This panel session brings together experts to discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in these industries, share insights into current vulnerabilities, and explore effective strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure and data.
Carla Harris
Carla Harris is a Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She was most recently as a Vice Chairman responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm. She formerly headed the Emerging Manager Platform, the equity capital markets effort for the consumer and retail industries and was responsible for Equity Private Placements. In her 30+ year career, Ms. Harris has had extensive industry experiences in the technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare sectors. In August 2013, Carla Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women’s Business Council.
For more than a decade, Ms. Harris was a senior member of the equity syndicate desk and executed such transactions as initial public offerings for UPS, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Ariba, Redback, the General Motors sub-IPO of Delphi Automotive, and the $3.2 Billion common stock transaction for Immunex Corporation, one of the largest biotechnology common stock transactions in U.S. history. Ms. Harris was named to Fortune Magazine’s list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America”, Fortune’s Most Influential List, U. S. Bankers Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance (2009, 2010, 2011), Black Enterprise’s Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business (2017), and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street”, and to Essence Magazine’s list of “The 50 Women Who are Shaping the World”, Ebony’s list of the Power 100 and “15 Corporate Women at the Top” and was named “Woman of the Year 2004” by the Harvard Black Men’s Forum and in 2011 by the Yale Black Men’s Forum.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Carla received an MBA, Second Year Honors from Harvard Business School and an AB in economics from Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude. Carla has also received Honorary Doctorates of Laws, Humanities and Business from Marymount Manhattan College, Bloomfield College, Converse College, Jacksonville University, Simmons College, the College of New Rochelle, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Babson College and Fisk University, Wake Forest University and Felician University respectively. Carla Harris is actively involved in her community and heartily believes that “we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to someone else.”
She is the past Chair of the Board of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and of The Executive Leadership Council, and sits on the boards of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), The Sesame Workshop, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and is an active member of the St. Charles Gospelites of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and the Mark Howell Singers. She is a member of the board of overseers of Harvard University and of the board of directors of the Walmart Corporation, Cummins Corporation and MetLife. Ms. Harris was co-chair of the National Social Action Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has been named to the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2015) and has received the Bert King Award from the Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association, the 2005 Women’s Professional Achievement Award from Harvard University, the Pierre Toussaint Medallion from the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York, the Women of Power Award given by the National Urban League, the Women of Influence Award from The Links, Incorporated and many other awards. In her other life, Carla is a singer who has sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theatre, and released 4 Gospel CDs:“O This is Christmas” (2021) “Unceasing Praise” (2011), “Joy Is Waiting”(2005), and her first CD entitled, “Carla’s First Christmas”(2000), was a bestseller on Amazon.com in New York and was featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather in his “American Dream” segment. She is also an internationally renowned public speaker and the author of the books, Strategize to Win (2014), Expect to Win (2009) (Hudson Press) and of Lead To Win (2022).
General Session: Leveraging Dairy's Health Halo to Attract Young and Non-Traditional Consumers
Dairy products play a critical role in the healthy diets of Americans, yet not all Americans believe dairy is essential to their diet. How can the dairy industry leverage current population trends, new product innovation and government initiatives to solidify dairy’s healthy halo among all Americans? This panel will identify opportunities for dairy companies to better appeal to younger demographics and to change the perceptions of those who believe dairy does not fit within their diet.
Unlocking Growth: Harnessing the Power of REAL Dairy and Health & Wellness to Give Consumers What They Really Want
Dairy Management, Inc. has discovered that more than 50% of consumers are dissatisfied with how current food, beverage and supplement offerings meet their health and wellness needs.
Join us for an exclusive session tailored for industry leaders, where we’ll dive deep into the findings from a comprehensive study involving over 12,000 U.S. consumers to reveal what consumers really want for their health and wellness needs and what it means for dairy. You’ll be introduced to a series of cutting-edge innovation tools, including a claims playbook, a digital platform and resource tool, plus an innovation showcase of global products, concepts and inspiring product prototypes. These solutions are designed to align perfectly with the evolving needs of today’s consumers, providing your organization with a unique opportunity to accelerate growth and outpace the competition.
Don’t miss this chance to gain actionable insights and explore how REAL dairy can be the key to unlocking new growth avenues for your business.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation in Dairy Production
As we enter the next industrial revolution, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in food production is not just an opportunity but a necessity to remain competitive. In a market flooded with discussions on digital transformation, AI, and automation, cutting through the noise and taking the first practical step can be challenging. This session will delve into the transformative potential of AI in the dairy industry, offering a clear and pragmatic roadmap of proven solutions to well-known challenges.
We will provide an in-depth examination of what the combination of automation and AI mean for dairy operations, highlighting practical and effective solutions that save time, money, and unnecessary effort. Through real-world examples, we will demonstrate how our innovative solutions empower dairy producers to make better everyday decisions, leveraging industry knowledge and experience rather than relying solely on technology. Join us to discover how Tetra Pak can propel your dairy operation into the future, harnessing the power of AI and automation to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Sean Sims
Sean has 30 years’ experience in industrial automation and has worked in teams around the world to improve production safety, reliability and efficiency across multiple industries, including energy, chemical, pharmaceutical and food & beverage. Sean works at Tetra Pak, where he is responsible for customer-facing automation and digital capabilities across the company. Sean is based in Austin, Texas, is married to fellow engineer Tara, and has one son, Nicholas, who is lives in Houston and is following his own engineering career in polymers and chemicals.
Breakfast Session: Rural Economic Outlook
What to expect on interest rates. Examining the reliability of the nation’s electric grid. Understanding artificial intelligence and our labor market. These topics and more will be covered by Tom Halverson, president and CEO of CoBank. Halverson is responsible for implementing the strategic and business direction for CoBank, one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy. The bank delivers loans, leases and other financial services to agribusiness, food and supply cooperatives, rural infrastructure, and Farm Credit customers in all 50 states. In his presentation, Tom will share CoBank’s assessment on the state of the farm, food, and rural economies, risks and opportunities in domestic markets, and the key trends that every food and agribusiness CEO should be aware of. In 2023, CoBank recorded one of the best years in its history from a financial standpoint, despite substantial uncertainty and volatility in the macro economy. Average loan volume reached all-time highs. Credit quality in their loan portfolio remained strong. Hear Tom’s perspective on how food and agriculture businesses can continue to deliver value to customers and shareholders by understanding the trends shaping America’s rural economy.
Thomas Halverson
As CoBank’s president and chief executive officer, Thomas Halverson is responsible for implementing the bank’s strategic and business direction as set by the board of directors. Previously, he served as CoBank’s chief banking officer where he was responsible for the bank’s Agribusiness and Rural Infrastructure Banking Groups as well as the Banking Services Group and corporate communications. Halverson is the chair of CoBank’s Management Executive Committee.
Prior to joining CoBank in 2013, Halverson spent more than 15 years with Goldman Sachs, where he was most recently managing director and chief of staff for Goldman Sachs Bank USA, a $120 billion commercial bank subsidiary of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Prior to that he served in a variety of executive positions at the firm, including head of credit risk management for Goldman Sachs in Asia (ex-Japan) and executive director of credit risk management and advisory in London. Before joining Goldman Sachs, Thomas Halverson served as principal credit officer for country risk at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London.
Halverson is a summa cum laude graduate of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He earned a British Marshall Scholarship and completed a doctorate in war studies at King’s College, University of London.
Deep Dive Session: Dairy in an Evolving Health Environment
The U.S. spends roughly $1.1 trillion per year to treat diet-related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and cancer—a problem recognized by government, healthcare companies, and food industry alike. Each of these sectors is responding—how can dairy better leverage its positive health benefits to help improve health and compete in the evolving market? Join us as we explore the rise of GLP-1 drugs, current industry research and marketing efforts, and the role of government nutrition programs and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Deep Dive Session: FMMO Changes - Impacts on Risk Management for Processors and Buyers
Changes in Class I price formula will make risk management more complicated for beverage milk processors, while using only cheddar blocks for pricing Class III milk will change basis points and possibly reduce risk for most cheese buys and sellers, including exports.
Katie Burgess
Katie Burgess grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm and joined the Ever.Ag team in 2012. She serves as a Dairy Market Advising Director and works with clients across the dairy supply chain – including producers, cooperatives, processors, and end-users. As a trained economist and commodity broker, she keeps customers updated on dairy supply and demand fundamentals and helps them manage price volatility via hedging programs. She holds degrees in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin.
Ted Jacoby, III
Ted Jacoby, III is the CEO of T.C. Jacoby & Company, one of North America’s Leading dairy product trading companies.
Following a 3-year stint working for an upper Midwest cheese company, Ted pursued an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. After receiving his degree in 1996 Ted joined T.C. Jacoby & Company and relocated to the company’s recently opened Mexico City office. In 1998 he returned to the St. Louis office to develop the company’s cheese trading business and successfully incorporated risk management into its operation. Under his guidance the company began integrating risk management into all aspects of the business in the early 2000s. Ted became Vice President of the Trading Group in 2010 and managed the trading operations of all storable dairy commodities including cheese, butter, and dairy powders. Ted moved into the role of President and CEO in January 2016.
Ted and his brother, Gus Jacoby, lead a team of traders who work with many of North America’s leading dairy manufacturers and farmer cooperatives, helping them balance the sales and production cycles of their products. Ted and Gus’s team manage a portfolio of dairy commodities, including raw milk, ultra-filtered milk, cream, butter, cheese, and a full range of milk and whey powders, distributing these products throughout North America and to 35 counties worldwide.
James De Jong
James is currently the Senior Director of Dairy Economics, Risk Management and Sales Planning at Glanbia Nutritionals. His responsibilities include market intelligence, milk pricing, sales planning, financial analysis and combining this knowledge into risk management solutions. Prior to Glanbia, James worked for Hilmar Cheese as a Dairy Economist and Risk Manager and as an analyst with Rabobank’s Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory. He holds a master’s degree from Cal State Stanislaus.
Chris Herlache
Chris has been in the dairy industry his entire life. After growing up on a dairy farm, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics in 2000. Since then, he has worked at Schreiber Foods, leading risk management and dairy economic responsibilities since 2003. Chris develops dairy risk management strategies for major foodservice and retail companies and is involved in US dairy pricing, policy discussions, and market education in the US and Europe.
Mike Brown
Mike Brown was named Chief Economist for IDFA on Jan. 17, 2023. In that role, Brown leads economic and policy analysis and strategy development related to dairy policy and pricing.
He is a recognized expert on milk pricing policy and has worked for both farmer-owned cooperatives and proprietary businesses, all of which are current IDFA members. Before joining IDFA, Brown led the milk and dairy procurement team for The Kroger Co. as director of dairy supply chain. Prior to Kroger, Brown served as a dairy economist for well-known dairy brands and organizations including Glanbia, Darigold and National All-Jersey, Inc.
As director of dairy economics and policy for Glanbia, he was responsible for market and farm cost analysis, supported Glanbia’s producer risk management programs and company efforts on U.S. dairy and trade policy, along with other industry initiatives. Prior to Glanbia, he was director of membership services for Northwest Dairy Association. From 1993-2001, Brown was general manager of National All-Jersey, Inc, a dairy producer trade association, where he led efforts to expand multiple component pricing through private plant incentives and through federal milk marketing order reform. Brown was raised on small dairy farm in Western, N.Y. and earned his bachelor’s degree in dairy science from Virginia Tech.
Deep Dive Session: Making Dairy Limitless for the Next Black Swan Event
A global pandemic, wars, tariffs, and shortages. Five years later, supply chain disruptions seem like yesterday’s problem. But experts think these kinds of events will continue, rather than dissipate. How are YOU prepared to be limitless in the next black swan event? Come hear from experts who spend their careers studying disruption to talk about a few future scenarios and how to prepare for them.
Deep Dive Session: Strategic Advocacy in a Post-Chevron World
In the six months since the Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright and Corner Post decisions, advocates for dairy are already adjusting to the seismic shift in policymaking responsibilities among federal legislators, regulators and courts. In this deep dive, learn more about how food and agriculture advocates must adapt their strategies to be successful advocates for dairy and to improve the business climate for the future.
Travis Cushman
Travis is AFBF’s Deputy General Counsel for Litigation & Public Policy. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and went to law school at Washington and Lee University School of Law. A former ski bum, Travis spent 10 years in private law practice before joining AFBF in 2018. Travis manages AFBF’s nationwide litigation on all issues facing agriculture and also leads the in-house lawyers for AFBF’s lobbying team.
Kellie Adesina
Kellie Adesina is Director of Federal Government Affairs at Kraft Heinz, where she develops and implements advocacy strategies on a range of nutrition and agricultural issues. She served in a similar role at Bayer where she focused on crop science issues like gene editing, biotech, and pesticides. Prior to Bayer, she was Chief Counsel on the House Agriculture Committee for Chairman Collin C. Peterson where she successfully drafted several provisions included in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Before joining the House Agriculture Committee, Kellie was Senior Counselor in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Legislative Director to Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge; and Legislative Counsel to Congresswoman Judy Chu. However, she started her career on Capitol Hill working for Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, her home state.
Kellie holds a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a B.A. from Bethune-Cookman College. She is a founder of Black Professionals in Food and Agriculture (BPFA), a member of the Board of Directors for the Food Research & Action Center, a member of the Board of Directors for CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Elizabeth B. Fawell
Successfully navigating the detailed and often complex regulatory issues confronting the food industry, Elizabeth Fawell helps companies understand both the rules and various risks involved to make the most informed and strategic decisions.
Elizabeth has worked with every segment of the food industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and food service operators, as well as their trade associations.
Her work on behalf of food industry clients with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) since its inception and her understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems provides her with the experience and perspective needed to counsel clients on how to comply with new requirements under the law. Elizabeth is also a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) and has completed the FSPCA PCQI training.
Elizabeth understands how laws, regulations, and guidance documents are developed, interpreted, and enforced. Her extensive knowledge enables clients to prevent or respond to enforcement actions such as Warning Letters, Import Alerts, and agency investigations. She helps clients in determining whether an RFR report is necessary and whether a recall is warranted. If so, she helps manage the recall to minimize business impacts.
Elizabeth provides real-time advice during factory inspections, helps clients prepare 483 responses, and drafts inspection manuals. She assists clients in lawfully and creatively promoting their products; such as the development of labels, claims, and website and promotional campaigns. Elizabeth also supports clients in advertising disputes and with responses to FTC and Attorney General investigations.
Elizabeth helps clients stay informed of and ahead of public policy issues and develops strategies for effective advocacy before regulators.
Danielle Quist
Danielle Quist leads IDFA’s work on environment, sustainability, packaging, worker safety, financial regulation, and environmental compliance, where she advocates industry positions and monitors regulatory issues impacting dairy processors. She has more than 20 years of legal experience and serves as IDFA’s legal counsel.
Before coming to IDFA, Quist worked as senior counsel for public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), where she co-led AFBF’s legal advocacy program, advised lobbyists on policy matters, and lobbied federal agencies on behalf of farmers and ranchers for almost 14 years. Before that, Quist worked on Capitol Hill as a counsel on the House Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs for former Congressman Doug Ose (CA). Previously, she was an associate at Howrey Simon Arnold & White, LLP, and served as a law clerk to Judge Eugene Sullivan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
Quist earned her Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School and her Bachelor of the Arts in Political Science from Columbia College of Columbia University in New York City. She is a member of the D.C. and New York Bars. Originally from southern California and New Mexico, she speaks Spanish.
Lunch Session: Eric Traupe
A powerful voice in the Intelligence Community and one of its leading national security professionals, Eric Traupe is the former assistant director of the CIA for the Near East and served on the front lines of U.S. counterterrorism efforts for more than 20 years. He remains a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking leaders, having advised CIA directors, presidents, cabinet and military officials, and members of Congress.
Eric will discuss the geopolitical and economic issues as we head into 2025, share an intelligence insider’s assessment of the potential outcomes of headline-grabbing global issues, as well as the possible impact on businesses, the global economy, and society. From the front lines to the White House and to the board room, Traupe will offer his perspectives on the geopolitical drivers that contribute to market volatility, supply chain disruption, and factors that are paving the way to a new world order that dairy industry leaders will need to understand to prosper.
Eric Traupe
A powerful voice in the Intelligence Community and one of its leading national security professionals, Eric Traupe is the former assistant director of the CIA for the Near East and served on the front lines of U.S. counterterrorism efforts for more than 20 years. He remains a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking leaders, having advised CIA directors, presidents, cabinet and military officials, and members of Congress, and participated in momentous White House strategic, policy, and resource decisions. Traupe has tackled the full range of U.S. national security issues, and his leadership, acumen, and unmatched ability to cultivate enduring relationships between the U.S. and its foreign partners continues to be heralded in intelligence circles.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Traupe is an inclusive and transformational leader whose “exemplary leadership will reverberate across the CIA for decades,” as noted by the agency’s top officials. He draws from his experiences championing diverse, people-centered cultures to share proven strategies for embracing the principles of servant leadership for more impactful collaboration across organizational and cultural boundaries, and empower teams to innovate, enhance creativity, develop solutions, and succeed in challenging environments. To complement his highly sought-after leadership insights, Traupe is masterfully skilled at engaging audiences with his captivating perspectives on today’s top issues in risk management, national intelligence, and the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
In addition to advising U.S. and world leaders, military officials, and private industry executives, as CIA Near East assistant director, Traupe’s work centered on responding to trends impacting the global landscape. This included directing traditional intelligence activities, such as Iran’s nuclear and regional ambitions, the CIA’s foreign partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa, and global competition with China and Russia. He also spearheaded initiatives to develop innovative cyber, technology, and data exploitation solutions to address complex national security issues. Throughout his tenure, he thrived in assignments that required crisis management skills, sound judgement, and an ability to assess internal and external risks. As a member of the CIA’s Expanded Corporate Board, Traupe led thousands of officers from different professional units, developed and executed multi-billion-dollar budgets, and addressed acute intelligence and foreign policy challenges on behalf of the CIA director. He expertly assessed geopolitical and economic trends, forecasted key budgetary investments, evaluated security risks, and weighed the implications of the pandemic’s impact to ensure his workforce maintained cohesion, resiliency, and mission-focus.
Prior to the CIA, Traupe served in the United States Marine Corps for nearly 10 years. He held several command and staff assignments and completed deployments to the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, Japan, and Europe. Traupe played a key role in managing three separate non-combatant evacuation operations in The Gambia, Albania, and Zaire, during which, a total of 1,500 U.S. citizens were safely rescued.
Since leaving the public sector, Traupe founded Azimuth Global LLC, a consulting firm that provides strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 companies in the technology, national security, and strategic risk sectors. He serves as an operating partner with Lightspeed Venture Partners, sits on the Board of Advisors for Intel Corporation, and serves as an advisor to Anduril Industries Inc. and other emerging technology companies. Traupe is also a senior Advisor at WestExec, on the Board of Advisors for the Center for a New American Security, a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, and a panel member for the Special Competitive Studies Project focused on geopolitical rivalries associated with China and Russia. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Third Option Foundation and the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation. He was previously the President of Capella Federal Inc., a subsidiary of Capella Space Corp.
Consistently recognized as a strategic thinker and collaborative leader, Traupe’s contributions to the Intelligence Community have been recognized with several honors, including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Clandestine Service Career Award, CIA’s Director Award (twice), George W. Bush Award for Excellence, and the Presidential Rank Award — to name a few. He holds an MBA in international business from American University and a BA in communications from the University of Michigan, where he starred as a linebacker participating in two Rose Bowls and a Gator Bowl.
General Session: What's New in Dairy Product Ingredient Innovation
Learn from the experts about new and novel dairy ingredients that have entered the marketplace or that are in the near-term pipeline and what consumer trends and demands are driving this innovation.
Leading through Material Science: Advancing Sustainable Packaging Innovations for Dairy Products
In the dairy industry, where freshness, safety, and shelf life are paramount, the role of sustainable materials in flexible packaging is vital. This session explores how advances in material science are driving more fiber or film-based sustainable solutions in dairy packaging by reducing environmental impact without compromising product performance. We will examine a wide range of innovative sustainable materials and explore how material science is paving the way for packaging that meets regulatory demands and consumer expectations. Attendees will gain insights into current and emerging packaging technologies that enhance recyclability, support circular economy, extend product shelf life, improve production efficiency and reduce waste in the dairy supply chain.
Luc Ravenelle
Luc Ravenelle is currently the vice president of sales and marketing at ProAmpac . With over 25 years of experience, Luc has a proven track record of driving growth and enhancing presence in the packaging industry. In his role Luc oversees the sales and dedicated CSR team and the development execution of strategic sales initiatives, marketing campaigns and customer engagement programs. Luc’s leadership has been instrumental in expanding the company's market share and establishing strong relationships with key clients and partners.
Hesam Tabatabaei
Hesam Tabatabaei is currently the senior vice president of global product development and innovation at ProAmpac and has had various technical leadership roles over the past 15 years. His team has also worked to identify and engage six leading packaging institutions and further expanding ProAmpac innovation excellence globally. Hesam holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (Polymer Science), holds over 40 patents (granted or pending), and has published over 50 articles in scientific journals and conference proceedings. Hesam was awarded the best PhD thesis award of Polytechnique Montreal and the Governor General Gold Medal of Canada for his technical achievements. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Polytechnique Montreal.
General Session: The Four Seasons of a CEO: Navigating Leadership Transitions and Strategic Evolution
The dairy industry is facing a pivotal time, facing surmounting pressures of sustainability along with changing industry regulation and a shifting labor market. Strong leadership is required to lead the dairy industry and navigate through this pivotal period. The plenary session will introduce the six key practices that set exceptional leaders apart from the rest;
- Set the direction: Successful leaders are known for their bold vision and ability to reframe the game, making big strategic moves that redefine their industries
- Align the organization: They treat the "soft stuff" as the hard stuff; focusing on one thing to move culture, solving for a stable and accountable yet agile core and align top talent to value creation
- Mobilize through leaders: They solve for the team’s psychology, creating a complementary talent ecosystem to operate in a steady rhythm as a team
- Manage upwards: They build a foundation of trust with their leadership that taps into wisdom while focusing on the future
- Connect with stakeholders: They stay elevated with stakeholders , seeking to understand the big picture and common intersection of needs
- Manage personal effectiveness: Great leaders manage their time and energy through a series of sprints, live their “to be list” and stay humble
The session will close with a panel featuring 4 CEOs which will provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and strategies at different stages of a CEO's career, from mid-career development to first-time CEO challenges to legacy and succession planning, and the continuous evolution of skills and lessons learned.
General Session: Saving Lives: How Dairy Is Partnering To Address Crises
For decades, partners like Feeding America and the American Red Cross have made it possible for food companies to step up and address crises and disasters in the U.S. and abroad. Increasingly, nutritious dairy foods and dairy ingredients in fresh and shelf-stable formats are playing a vital role in getting important nutrients to hungry, malnourished, and vulnerable people through domestic and international relief programs. Join entrepreneur and humanitarian Hamdi Ulukaya and leaders from the nation’s foremost hunger relief and disaster response organizations for a special discussion on aligning corporate mission with values to help those in need.
Hamdi Ulukaya
Hamdi Ulukaya was raised in a dairy-farming family in a small village in eastern Turkey. After moving to the United States, he founded Chobani in 2005 with the mission and vision of making high-quality food more accessible. Five years after selling the first cup of yogurt, Chobani was a billion-dollar brand, and today is the #1 selling yogurt brand in the U.S. The company has since expanded to an innovative modern food portfolio, adding creamers and oat milk. In 2023 Chobani acquired La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact. As a result, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at 32 cafes, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail.
As a leader in the food and beverage industry, Ulukaya built Chobani on the foundation that it would do well by doing good. He is well-known for his employee-first policies, including instituting innovative profit-sharing and paid parental leave programs for Chobani’s 3,000-plus employees, and implementing competitive hourly wage increases well above the federal rate. He has also become a leading voice in the movement to hire refugees, having discovered through his own experience hiring them that “the minute a refugee gets a job is the minute they stop being a refugee.”
Ulukaya also founded Tent Partnership for Refugees in 2016, a foundation that mobilizes the business community to connect refugees to work.
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot is a leader and advocate dedicated to combating hunger and strengthening communities. Her decades long service in social justice and humanitarian efforts is emblematic of her unwavering commitment to working alongside people experiencing food insecurity to create sustainable, equitable solutions in the movement to end hunger. Since 2018, Claire has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Feeding America, a network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs, and the largest charity in the United States since 2022, according to Forbes. Prior to joining Feeding America, Claire has been entrusted to lead effective teams for three decades, including 13 years on Walmart's leadership team, most recently as executive vice president and global treasure where she had global responsibility for tax, treasury operations, capital markets, investor relations, global risk management, casualty, and self-insurance, leading teams across 28 countries and over 1,000 associates worldwide.
A Louisiana native, Claire holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, La.; and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas. Claire was named one of Time's 100 most influential people of 2020. In 2021, she was honored with PRWeek’s Communicator of the Year award and Southern Methodist University’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Claire was among Forbes 50 over 50 in 2022, and, in 2023, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities honored Claire with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Her relentless pursuit of an equitable, hunger-free America exemplifies her as a trailblazer and a compassionate advocate for social justice.
Anne McKeough
Anne McKeough is the Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross, overseeing all fundraising for the organization. In this role, Anne leads the overall strategic direction and implementation of programs designed to inspire philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations and community organizations. Her expansive responsibilities include fundraising across all six Red Cross divisions, national planning and operations, major managed donor, digital and direct mail fundraising, in-kind giving, and legacy and bequest gifts. Her responsibilities also include the execution of the organizations $1B Climate Crisis Campaign.
Since she joined the Red Cross in 2021, Anne has led successful fundraising to power the organization’s humanitarian mission, including relief efforts in response to the Southern and Midwest Tornadoes, Hurricane Ian, the Hawaii Wildfires, Hurricane Idalia and other crises around the world. As a member of the senior executive leadership team, Anne helps develop strategies to ensure the organization is poised to continuously adapt and innovate to best fulfill its mission.
Anne is a member of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle, a society of women leading through philanthropy, and is dedicated to growing women in philanthropy networks to further advance the Red Cross mission. Anne has a passion for cultivating and developing the next generation of leaders, evidenced by her deep engagement in the American Red Cross Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program.
Prior to joining the American Red Cross, Anne served as the vice president of Global Sales for Staples, leading their sales organization and international business units for this top industry promotional products distributor for 22 years.
Anne earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Business with honors from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. She has been recognized by the Advertising Specialty Institute as a Distributor Woman of Distinction in 2019 and as part of their Power 50 listing in 2019 and 2020.
Michael Dykes
Michael Dykes, D.V.M., a long-time government affairs strategist, agricultural policy expert, and veterinarian, became president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association in January 2017. In this role, he represents members that make most of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts, and dairy-derived ingredients produced in the United States and marketed throughout the world. Since joining IDFA, Dykes has been a strong advocate for putting U.S. dairy at the center of health and wellness, innovation, sustainability, a vibrant U.S. economy, a stable and diverse workforce, and leading the world in global dairy exports. Prior to assuming his role at IDFA, Dykes served as vice president of government affairs for Monsanto, where he was responsible for developing and implementing a portfolio of U.S. government relations strategies and programs that included agricultural biotechnology policy. He led Monsanto's office in Washington, D.C., and served as the company's primary point of contact for elected officials, regulatory authorities, U.S. farm organizations, key industry participants, trade associations, international organizations and embassies. He directed the company's efforts in state and local government affairs, in addition to government affairs in Mexico and Canada. Dykes is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Academy of Practitioners. He is also a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC), which provides U.S. trade policy advice to the current presidential administration.
Dykes grew up on a small dairy and tobacco farm in Kentucky. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. He also attended the University of Kentucky where he received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.
Speakers
Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
President & CEO | International Dairy Foods Association
Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
Michael Dykes, D.V.M., a long-time government affairs strategist, agricultural policy expert, and veterinarian, became president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association in January 2017. In this role, he represents members that make more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Since joining IDFA, Dykes has been a strong advocate for the importance of global competitiveness to the future of the U.S. dairy industry. He has made preserving trade partnerships with Mexico and improving Canadian market access for U.S. dairy exports in all future trade agreements a priority for IDFA. Prior to assuming his role at IDFA, Dykes served as vice president of government affairs for Monsanto, where he was responsible for developing and implementing a portfolio of U.S. government relations strategies and programs that included agricultural biotechnology policy. He led Monsanto's office in Washington, D.C., and served as the company's primary point of contact for elected officials, regulatory authorities, U.S. farm organizations, key industry participants, trade associations, international organizations and embassies. He directed the company's efforts in state and local government affairs, in addition to government affairs in Mexico and Canada. Dykes is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Academy of Practitioners. He has served on the Farmhouse Fraternity board for 3+ years. He is also a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and has served on the USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21).
Dykes grew up on a small dairy and tobacco farm in Kentucky. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. He also attended the University of Kentucky where he received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.
Thomas Halverson
CEO and President | CoBank
Thomas Halverson
As CoBank’s president and chief executive officer, Thomas Halverson is responsible for implementing the bank’s strategic and business direction as set by the board of directors. Previously, he served as CoBank’s chief banking officer where he was responsible for the bank’s Agribusiness and Rural Infrastructure Banking Groups as well as the Banking Services Group and corporate communications. Halverson is the chair of CoBank’s Management Executive Committee.
Prior to joining CoBank in 2013, Halverson spent more than 15 years with Goldman Sachs, where he was most recently managing director and chief of staff for Goldman Sachs Bank USA, a $120 billion commercial bank subsidiary of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Prior to that he served in a variety of executive positions at the firm, including head of credit risk management for Goldman Sachs in Asia (ex-Japan) and executive director of credit risk management and advisory in London. Before joining Goldman Sachs, Thomas Halverson served as principal credit officer for country risk at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London.
Halverson is a summa cum laude graduate of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He earned a British Marshall Scholarship and completed a doctorate in war studies at King’s College, University of London.
Carla Harris
Senior Client Advisor | Morgan Stanley
Carla Harris
Carla Harris is a Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She was most recently as a Vice Chairman responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm. She formerly headed the Emerging Manager Platform, the equity capital markets effort for the consumer and retail industries and was responsible for Equity Private Placements. In her 30+ year career, Ms. Harris has had extensive industry experiences in the technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare sectors. In August 2013, Carla Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women’s Business Council.
For more than a decade, Ms. Harris was a senior member of the equity syndicate desk and executed such transactions as initial public offerings for UPS, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Ariba, Redback, the General Motors sub-IPO of Delphi Automotive, and the $3.2 Billion common stock transaction for Immunex Corporation, one of the largest biotechnology common stock transactions in U.S. history. Ms. Harris was named to Fortune Magazine’s list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America”, Fortune’s Most Influential List, U. S. Bankers Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance (2009, 2010, 2011), Black Enterprise’s Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business (2017), and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street”, and to Essence Magazine’s list of “The 50 Women Who are Shaping the World”, Ebony’s list of the Power 100 and “15 Corporate Women at the Top” and was named “Woman of the Year 2004” by the Harvard Black Men’s Forum and in 2011 by the Yale Black Men’s Forum.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Carla received an MBA, Second Year Honors from Harvard Business School and an AB in economics from Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude. Carla has also received Honorary Doctorates of Laws, Humanities and Business from Marymount Manhattan College, Bloomfield College, Converse College, Jacksonville University, Simmons College, the College of New Rochelle, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Babson College and Fisk University, Wake Forest University and Felician University respectively. Carla Harris is actively involved in her community and heartily believes that “we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to someone else.”
She is the past Chair of the Board of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and of The Executive Leadership Council, and sits on the boards of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), The Sesame Workshop, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and is an active member of the St. Charles Gospelites of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and the Mark Howell Singers. She is a member of the board of overseers of Harvard University and of the board of directors of the Walmart Corporation, Cummins Corporation and MetLife. Ms. Harris was co-chair of the National Social Action Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has been named to the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2015) and has received the Bert King Award from the Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association, the 2005 Women’s Professional Achievement Award from Harvard University, the Pierre Toussaint Medallion from the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York, the Women of Power Award given by the National Urban League, the Women of Influence Award from The Links, Incorporated and many other awards. In her other life, Carla is a singer who has sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theatre, and released 4 Gospel CDs:“O This is Christmas” (2021) “Unceasing Praise” (2011), “Joy Is Waiting”(2005), and her first CD entitled, “Carla’s First Christmas”(2000), was a bestseller on Amazon.com in New York and was featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather in his “American Dream” segment. She is also an internationally renowned public speaker and the author of the books, Strategize to Win (2014), Expect to Win (2009) (Hudson Press) and of Lead To Win (2022).
Kevin McCarthy
55th Speaker of the House
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy is the 55th Speaker of the House.
Described as a man who exudes “true American grit,” McCarthy's political journey is the quintessential American story. After starting a small business at the age of 21, McCarthy went back to college to earn his bachelor and master degrees in business. He was rejected for an internship to the congressional seat he later held for seventeen years. Prior to being elected to Congress, McCarthy served in the California State Legislature where he became the fastest rising Minority Leader in the history of the California State Assembly.
McCarthy won the Speakership after a historic 15 ballots, and went on to secure $2 trillion in deficit reduction, all while protecting the full faith and credit of the United States, keeping our government open, and making sure our troops were paid. He also refocused Congress on America’s long-term challenges by creating the first-ever Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Throughout his career, McCarthy fought for a more effective, efficient, and accountable federal government. He also personally recruited and actively supported commonsense candidates for office who have helped reshape the Republican Party – several of whom have become Senators, Governors, and cabinet secretaries. Overall, under his leadership, dozens of new Republican women, minorities, and veterans have been elected to Congress.
In Congress, he held nearly every elected leadership position in the House Republican conference and served under three Presidents, during two economic crises, and through consistent political upheaval while always maintaining his approach to governing as a Happy Warrior.
Eric Traupe
National Intelligence Leader; Former CIA Assistant Director
Eric Traupe
A powerful voice in the Intelligence Community and one of its leading national security professionals, Eric Traupe is the former assistant director of the CIA for the Near East and served on the front lines of U.S. counterterrorism efforts for more than 20 years. He remains a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking leaders, having advised CIA directors, presidents, cabinet and military officials, and members of Congress, and participated in momentous White House strategic, policy, and resource decisions. Traupe has tackled the full range of U.S. national security issues, and his leadership, acumen, and unmatched ability to cultivate enduring relationships between the U.S. and its foreign partners continues to be heralded in intelligence circles.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Traupe is an inclusive and transformational leader whose “exemplary leadership will reverberate across the CIA for decades,” as noted by the agency’s top officials. He draws from his experiences championing diverse, people-centered cultures to share proven strategies for embracing the principles of servant leadership for more impactful collaboration across organizational and cultural boundaries, and empower teams to innovate, enhance creativity, develop solutions, and succeed in challenging environments. To complement his highly sought-after leadership insights, Traupe is masterfully skilled at engaging audiences with his captivating perspectives on today’s top issues in risk management, national intelligence, and the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
In addition to advising U.S. and world leaders, military officials, and private industry executives, as CIA Near East assistant director, Traupe’s work centered on responding to trends impacting the global landscape. This included directing traditional intelligence activities, such as Iran’s nuclear and regional ambitions, the CIA’s foreign partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa, and global competition with China and Russia. He also spearheaded initiatives to develop innovative cyber, technology, and data exploitation solutions to address complex national security issues. Throughout his tenure, he thrived in assignments that required crisis management skills, sound judgement, and an ability to assess internal and external risks. As a member of the CIA’s Expanded Corporate Board, Traupe led thousands of officers from different professional units, developed and executed multi-billion-dollar budgets, and addressed acute intelligence and foreign policy challenges on behalf of the CIA director. He expertly assessed geopolitical and economic trends, forecasted key budgetary investments, evaluated security risks, and weighed the implications of the pandemic’s impact to ensure his workforce maintained cohesion, resiliency, and mission-focus.
Prior to the CIA, Traupe served in the United States Marine Corps for nearly 10 years. He held several command and staff assignments and completed deployments to the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, Japan, and Europe. Traupe played a key role in managing three separate non-combatant evacuation operations in The Gambia, Albania, and Zaire, during which, a total of 1,500 U.S. citizens were safely rescued.
Since leaving the public sector, Traupe founded Azimuth Global LLC, a consulting firm that provides strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 companies in the technology, national security, and strategic risk sectors. He serves as an operating partner with Lightspeed Venture Partners, sits on the Board of Advisors for Intel Corporation, and serves as an advisor to Anduril Industries Inc. and other emerging technology companies. Traupe is also a senior Advisor at WestExec, on the Board of Advisors for the Center for a New American Security, a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, and a panel member for the Special Competitive Studies Project focused on geopolitical rivalries associated with China and Russia. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Third Option Foundation and the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation. He was previously the President of Capella Federal Inc., a subsidiary of Capella Space Corp.
Consistently recognized as a strategic thinker and collaborative leader, Traupe’s contributions to the Intelligence Community have been recognized with several honors, including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Clandestine Service Career Award, CIA’s Director Award (twice), George W. Bush Award for Excellence, and the Presidential Rank Award — to name a few. He holds an MBA in international business from American University and a BA in communications from the University of Michigan, where he starred as a linebacker participating in two Rose Bowls and a Gator Bowl.
Hotel
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
The Dairy Forum room block, as well as the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, is currently sold out on Sunday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 28. We will continue to monitor the availability at the hotel. If interested in being placed on a waitlist for a room within the block, please email registrar@idfa.org and share your desired arrival and departure dates.
Recommended hotels in the area are listed below. While we do not have a room block at any of these properties, we wanted to provide some nearby options for your convenience. Please note these hotels do not offer a discounted rate for Dairy Forum attendees. We recommend booking as soon as possible to secure your accommodations.
Tru by Hilton San Antonio North (3.2 miles from JW Marriott)
2234 TPC Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78259
Courtyard Stone Oak (5.2 miles from JW Marriott)
1803 E Sonterra Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78259
Hyatt Place (5.5 miles from JW Marriott)
1610 E Sonterra Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78258
Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio North Stone Oak (5.5 miles from JW Marriott)
1807 North Loop 1604 East
San Antonio, TX 78232
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Dairy Forum will be held at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. A discounted room rate of $289 per night plus applicable taxes will be available to Dairy Forum attendees. The deadline to secure a room is Friday, January 3, 2025 or until the room block sells out. We have reserved a large block of rooms, but once the room block is full, we cannot guarantee that additional space will be available.
Hotel Reservation Policy: You must register for the Dairy Forum to be eligible for the conference discounted room rate. All registrants will receive a registration confirmation email that will include instructions on how to confirm your hotel reservation. Only one reservation is permitted per registrant. If a hotel guest is not registered for Dairy Forum, IDFA reserves the right to remove the guest room reservation from the conference room block without notice
Hotel Cancellation Policy: Hotel reservations can be canceled up to twenty-four (24) hours prior to arrival without fees. If complete cancellation of an individual reservation takes place within twenty-four (24) hours of the scheduled arrival a cancellation fee equal to one (1) night room and tax will be charged by the hotel.
The Oaks Course at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
The Oaks course presents a memorable, fair challenge to golfers of all ability levels. The host course of the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open reflects the Tour’s departure from the modern style course (expansive grass areas and spectator mounding) to a more natural look and feel. Eighteen holes, 7435 yards, Par 72.
Schedule
7:30 a.m. Central - Morning Golf Tournament – Shotgun Start (Scramble)
1:00 p.m. Central - Afternoon Golf Tournament - Shotgun Start (Scramble)
Golf Tournament Registration Fee: $299
Registration includes greens fee, cart fee, practice facilities, light breakfast (morning players) or boxed lunch (afternoon players), beverages and service fees.
How to play a golf scramble?
In a scramble, each golfer in the foursome takes a shot from the tee. From that point, the team decides who has the best drive, and all players advance forward to that spot to take their second shots. This process continues, with the best shot being taken each time, until a member of the team is able to hole out. The team’s score for that particular hole is recorded as the number of team strokes it took to get the ball in the cup.
Sponsors:
IDFA Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser
Join us on Monday afternoon, Jan. 27, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for the first annual Dairy Forum Cornhole Fundraiser to benefit the IDFA Foundation. All cornhole enthusiasts and novices are welcome. Register in groups of two or on your own to have an opportunity to play cornhole while also fundraising to make a difference for our industry and the communities where we work.
The fundraiser will include a round-robin tournament and playoff with the top eight players, as well as an awards ceremony. The top two players at the end of the tournament will win their very own cornhole boards and an inscribed award plaque! 100% of the funds raised will support the IDFA Foundation, which promotes the health and wellbeing of people, communities, and our planet on behalf of U.S. dairy.
If you would like to support the IDFA Foundation, please click here.
Registration Fees
Individual $249
Doubles $399
5K Fun Walk/Run
Sunday, January 26 | 9:00AM
All levels of runners and walkers are invited to participate in the Dairy Forum 5K Fun Walk/Run. This event is a great way to start your day with a little cardio alongside your colleagues. The 5K (3.1 miles) route will lead you around the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa property.
Registration Fee: $60
Registration fees for Dairy Forum are based on your company's IDFA membership status. For more information about membership, please email membership@idfa.org.
FAQs
Q: Registration Payment by Check or ACH/Wire Transfer
The fastest and easiest way to register is online. If an invoice is required to submit payment by check or ACH/wire transfer, please email registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Registration Substitutions
Registration is non-transferable from one company to another; however, substitutions within companies are welcome at any time. Please email registrar@idfa.org if you would like to make a registration substitution.
Q: Registration Cancellation Policy
Registration cancellations received in writing will be accepted prior to December 20, 2024 for a full refund, minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations received after December 20, 2024, will be eligible for a 50 percent refund, less the processing fee. Your Dairy Forum registration fee is non-refundable after January 6, 2025. Substitutions may be made without penalty. All cancellations and substitutions must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Golf Tournament Cancellation Policy
All golf tournament cancellations will receive a full refund before December 20, 2024. No golf tournament refunds will be issued after December 20, 2024. All cancellations must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: 5K Fun Walk/Run Cancellation Policy
All 5K Fun Walk/Run cancellations will receive a full refund before December 20, 2024. No 5K Fun Walk/Run refunds will be issued after December 20, 2024. All cancellations must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser Cancellation Policy
All Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser cancellations will receive a full refund before December 20, 2024. No Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser refunds will be issued after December 20, 2024. All cancellations must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: News Media
Credentialed members of the news media are welcome to register at a special rate by contacting press@idfa.org. News media must present credentials to qualify.
Q: Attire
Attire is business casual although we encourage attendees to dress comfortably for evening receptions which may be held outdoors.
Q: Affiliate Events
Affiliate events are non-IDFA sponsored events that take place before, during, or after Dairy Forum. These include, but are not limited to business meetings, receptions, dinners, group activities, and other functions. If you are interested in reserving space at the conference hotel for an affiliate meeting or event, please contact lgold@idfa.org. Space is limited, and requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions: If you have questions or need assistance with the registration process, please contact IDFA at (202) 737-4332 or registrar@idfa.org.
Sponsor Information
Dairy Forum propels the dairy industry to new heights by providing attendees with the most cutting-edge information. Designed to elevate the industry and the businesses within it, Dairy Forum offers an unrivaled platform for exchanging ideas, fostering innovation, and cultivating meaningful connections. With a focus on empowering attendees with actionable insights, Dairy Forum equips them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate emerging trends, capitalize on opportunities, and overcome challenges. By attending Dairy Forum, industry professionals can expect to elevate their businesses, advance their expertise, and actively contribute to the conversation that shapes the future of dairy.
For those interested in sponsorship, Dairy Forum is the place to be seen and heard. Sponsorship is one of the best ways to brand your organization as a thought-leader and to highlight your commitment to advancing the dairy industry. IDFA offers various levels of sponsorship.
Please contact lgold@idfa.org for more information.
Highlight Your Dairy Products at Dairy Forum
Dairy Forum will feature a Dairy Bar showcasing some of the most popular and innovative products produced by our members. The Dairy Bar will feature a broad selection of dairy products including milk, yogurt, cheese, snack packs, ice cream, novelties, as well as other products and beverages. All products will be displayed for attendees to enjoy throughout the conference.
We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity and consider donating a selection of your single serve products. To participate, please contact vpender@idfa.org.
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