Dairy Forum 2026

Overview

Dairy Forum heads to Palm Desert, Calif., in 2026 with the premier annual event for dairy business leaders.

Presented by the International Dairy Foods Association, Dairy Forum convenes more than 1,200 executives from dairy processors, cooperatives, retailers and suppliers to strengthen collaboration, spark innovation, and shape a bold, dynamic future for the industry.

Spread across four days, Dairy Forum includes dozens of insightful sessions, engaging keynotes, interactive panels, exclusive sponsor presentations, receptions, meals, and vibrant networking opportunities designed to inspire, unite, and energize dairy leaders like you.

At Dairy Forum 2026, we will explore what it truly means to be UNITED FOR DAIRY. Join us in leading the charge toward a more connected, collaborative, and resilient dairy industry.

Agenda

*All Times Pacific Print Agenda

January 25, 2026	Event	Speaker	Location
7:30am	Morning Golf Tournament Sponsored By:		Palm Golf Course
9:00am	5K Fun Run
12:30pm	Afternoon Golf Tournament Sponsored By:		Palm Golf Course
2:00pm - 4:00pm	IDFA Executive Council Meeting (invitation only)		Santa Rosa Ballroom
4:00pm - 5:00pm	HR Leaders Meet and Greet		Springs Ballroom A-B
4:30pm - 5:00pm	NextGen Welcome		Springs Ballrom D-E
5:00pm - 5:45pm	Chairman's Reception (invitation only) Sponsored By:		Springs Ballroom Terrace
6:00pm - 7:00pm	Chairman’s Lecture featuring Rahm Emanuel Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
	Rahm Emanuel, former ambassador to Japan, mayor of Chicago, U.S. congressman and White House Chief of Staff, will deliver the Chairman’s Lecture during Dairy Forum 2026. Join us for a frank and honest discussion with Ambassador Emanuel as he covers a variety of subjects relevant to business and government sectors, including his take on the U.S. political landscape and insight into the upcoming mid-term elections. Blending high-level insights with an engaging and candid speaking style, Ambassador Emanuel will illuminate how evolutions in policy, politics, and international relations are reshaping the global economy and how businesses interact and partner with governmental and non-governmental actors. In a friendly fireside chat moderated by IDFA President & CEO Michael Dykes, the audience will discover what the upcoming elections could signify for future policies impacting the food and agriculture industries, as well as how state legislatures are playing an outsized role in shaping business, and an outlook on the 2028 presidential election and race to control U.S. Congress.
7:00pm - 8:30pm	Welcome Reception Sponsored By:		The Grove + Pavilion
January 26, 2026	Event	Speaker	Location
8:30am - 9:30am	President’s Breakfast: United for Better Health, Bigger Growth, a Stronger Workforce Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
	Join IDFA President & CEO Michael Dykes for his 2026 President’s Breakfast presentation, where he will reveal how unity and collaboration across the dairy supply chain has positioned the industry for its best years yet. Considered the gold standard in wholesome, affordable human nutrition, demand is surging for U.S. dairy foods all around the world. The industry is responding by investing billions in new, state-of-the-art processing facilities and supply chain improvements. At the same time, a new generation of talented professionals—from dairy farmers to technicians on the plant floor, to the boardrooms and beyond—is leading the industry to record-breaking growth. With additional change on the horizon, Michael will share his recommendations on how U.S. dairy can enhance its global competitiveness by speaking with a unified voice and acting with common purpose.
9:30am - 9:45am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom Foyer
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session - The Road to the Midterms: What Voters are Saying About Tariffs, MAHA, & Immigration Sponsored By:		Springs Salon F
	What do voters really think about the tariffs, Make America Healthy Again, and immigration enforcement—and how will it shape the policy landscape ahead? In this timely session, Eli Yokley, U.S. politics analyst at Morning Consult, will share exclusive polling insights on the Make America Healthy Again agenda, public sentiment on tariffs and immigration, and issues driving the food and ag conversation in Washington. With a look ahead to the 2026 midterms, this session will equip attendees with data-driven perspective on the shifting political climate—and what it means for the future of our industry.
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session - Leading Responsible Business in Anti-ESG Times Sponsored By:		Springs Salon G
	A panel of senior leaders on leading and navigating businesses with sustainability commitments and expectations during a period of anti-ESG headwinds. We will ask executives how they think businesses should position themselves in a global marketplace when one major player, the United States, stands out against at least 25 years of progress in corporate sustainability and the ESG investment space? What is the right thing to do for your investors, customers, consumers, and your bottom line? How should senior leadership engage with and direct both their Board and their Impact or Sustainability subject matter experts during these times? How are you balancing the realistic challenges of climate-related commitments and ongoing commercial pressures for action?
10:45am - 11:00am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom Foyer
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session - Then & Now: Trade Policy in a Changing Global Landscape Sponsored By:		Springs Salon F
	Global trade policy is experiencing a seismic transition. Traditional free trade agreement negotiations are occurring with decreasing frequently while tariffs, trade balances, and Executive Orders are the tools now paving our relationships with global markets. Don’t miss the chance to hear from influential U.S. trade negotiators and join a dynamic discussion on what has changed, what it means for dairy, how we stay united, and where we go from here.
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session - Dairy in Transition: Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance in a Transparent Marketplace		Springs Salon G
	The dairy industry is at the intersection of rapidly evolving regulatory demands—where global, federal, and state food safety, labeling and nutrition policymaking and requirements and environmental, social, and governance expectations all converge. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the shifting regulatory environment impacting dairy businesses today. Experts will provide insights and strategies to proactively manage risk, ensure regulatory alignment, and maintain consumer trust in an increasingly complex and transparent marketplace.
12:15pm - 2:00pm	Lunch Session with Sarah Frey Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
	Join entrepreneur and food leader Sarah Frey for a conversation on how food company leaders can better position their businesses for success in the evolving food and nutrition policy landscape. Frey grew up on a small farm in southern Illinois that her family called the Hill. Today, she is founder of a multimillion-dollar agribusiness operation called Frey Farms, a produce shipping business that services Walmart, Whole Foods, and other stores, as well as the creator of a line of healthy drinks sold under the Sarah’s Homegrown label. Learn how Frey built the knowledge and skill set to launch a successful set of businesses by watching and listening to her mother while delivering melons store-to-store in her mom’s truck. “I really have my mother to credit for my success,” she said in an interview. “I was pretty small, seven or eight, when I started going with her. Pretty soon, I was the one who went into the supermarket or grocery store to negotiate, while mom sat in the truck.” Finally, gain insight from Frey’s recent work with leaders of the Make America Healthy Again policy movement to understand what moms and business leaders like her expect from food companies.
2:00pm - 3:00pm	General Session - Beyond a Labor Issue: Understanding the Rapid Changes in Agriculture Workforce Policy		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
	Immigration policy enforcement tactics have elevated uncertainty across the dairy value chain, threatening workforce reliability and farm and plant productivity. Not only are farms and plants struggling to meet their current labor needs – especially when considering the current capacity investments in the industry – but, with increased enforcement, the industry is losing current workers. This session will examine what the U.S. Government is doing to help farmers and processors, and the strategies companies can use to address the challenges of a shrinking labor pool. We would hear from labor and immigration experts, as well as public officials from the Legislative and Executive Branch about the impacts unclear agriculture workforce polices on farms and processors.
3:15pm - 3:45pm	Media Meet and Greet (invitation only)		Springs Ballroom K-L
3:15pm - 4:15pm	International Trade Committee Meeting (invitation only)		Santa Rosa Ballroom
3:15pm - 4:15pm	Regulatory and Legal Community Meeting (invitation only)		Springs Ballroom D-E
3:15pm - 4:00pm	Partner Sessions
3:45pm - 4:15pm	Press Briefing		Springs Ballroom K-L
4:15pm - 5:45pm	Foundation Cornhole Tournament		The Grove
5:15pm - 6:15pm	Women in Dairy Event Sponsored By:		Springs Ballroom Terrace
6:00pm - 7:30pm	PAC Reception (invitation only)
January 27, 2026	Event	Speaker	Location
7:30am - 8:30am	Trade Meet & Greet (invitation only)		Springs Ballroom K-L
8:30am - 9:30am	Rural Economic Outlook with Farmer Mac’s Brad Nordholm Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
	Brad Nordholm’s 45-year career has spanned agricultural and energy finance, capital markets, and credit. Since 2018, he has increased the availability and affordability of credit for the benefit of American agriculture and rural communities as president and CEO at Farmer Mac, the nation’s secondary market for agriculture mortgage credit and rural infrastructure. Join Brad for an overview of the tailwinds and headwinds facing the nation’s agricultural economy and how Farmer Mac is working with financial institutions such as community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions to manage risk and increase liquidity. From production agriculture to renewable energy, from broadband infrastructure to rural utilities, Brad will share his outlook on how financial institutions like Farmer Mac are working with food and agri-businesses to anticipate the trends shaping the rural economy.
9:30am - 9:45am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom Foyer
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session - Seeding the Future of Dairy Research & Innovation		Springs Salon F
	The research outputs from academia have a long history of seeding future innovative applications for the dairy industry, from ultrafiltration to fermentation 2.0. This engine of research is currently being challenged. This panel of University Deans will share insights on the interface of academic research and industry implementation, and how public-private partnerships can be leveraged to drive environmental, economic, workforce innovation for dairy from farm to glass. The Dean’s will discuss their visions the future of dairy agriculture and processing, examples of successful industry partnerships, as well as challenges and opportunities for future of these partnerships. How do we support the future of dairy research and ensure sustainable growth of the industry?
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session - Dairy Market Outlook Sponsored By:		Springs Salon G
	Join some of the dairy industry’s leading market experts to hear their expectations for the dairy markets in 2026. Will processing investment in the US continue at the same pace? How will global milk supply respond to market conditions? How will US trade and workforce policies influence milk supply around the world? The panelists will provide their perspectives on the expected market dynamics for 2026 which will help dairy business leaders better position their businesses to meet the ever-changing demands of the global marketplace.
10:45am - 11:00am	Networking Break		Sinatra Ballroom Foyer
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session - Leadership & Succession Planning: Securing the Future of Dairy Organizations		Springs Salon F
	In an evolving industry, strong leadership and effective succession planning are critical. This interactive panel discussion will explore the best practices in developing future leaders, managing successful generational shifts, and fostering organizational resilience during periods of change. Panelists will discuss how to build pipelines of talent, sustain company culture, and implement strategic succession plans that ensure long-term stability and growth.
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session - Building Resilient, Transparent & Traceable Global Dairy Supply Chains		Springs Salon G
	This session will tell the story of how advanced technology, operational strategy and digital tools, and global industry standards come together to build dairy supply chains that are fully traceable and transparent, adaptable, and ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Key private and public sector leaders will share real-world case studies and perspectives on deploying scalable supply chain systems that make traceability a practical reality; establishing one of the world’s largest traceable milk supply chains showing what operational excellence looks like at scale; and how traceability frameworks intersect with regulatory expectations and why proactive systems are vital for the U.S. dairy industry’s future. Learn how these approaches improve risk management, boost confidence in decision-making, and make supply chains more efficient from farm to consumer.
12:15pm - 2:00pm	Lunch Session with Jason Dorsey Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
	As the dairy industry unites around shared goals for growth, innovation, and resilience, one challenge cuts across every sector: generational change. From the processing floor to the boardroom, leaders are navigating vastly different expectations around work, communication, and trust. In this dynamic and engaging keynote, acclaimed speaker and researcher Jason Dorsey will break down what’s fact, fiction, and urgent when it comes to generational dynamics in the workforce. Backed by more than 150 global research studies, Jason will reveal surprising insights about Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers—and provide actionable strategies to bridge generational gaps, strengthen retention, and build alignment across teams. As we come together United for Dairy, this session offers the tools and mindset shifts needed to unlock the full potential of a multigenerational workforce—and to ensure your organization thrives in the future of work.
2:00pm - 2:15pm	Networking Break		Sinatra Ballroom Foyer
2:15pm - 3:15pm	Partner Sessions
2:00pm - 3:30pm	NextGen Leadership Roundtable (invitation only)		Santa Rosa Ballroom
2:30pm - 3:30pm	Economic Policy Committee Meeting (invitation only)		Sinatra Ballroom 5-6
2:30pm - 3:30pm	Sustainability Committee Meeting (invitation only)		Springs Ballroom K
3:45pm - 5:15pm	CEO In-Transition Roundtables		Springs Ballroom L
5:00pm - 6:30pm	Cocktails and Conversation Sponsored By:		Q Lot
9:00pm - 10:30pm	NextGen Nightcap (invitation only) Sponsored By:		Aquafer65
January 28, 2026	Event	Speaker	Location
8:00am - 9:00am	General Session Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
9:00am - 10:00am	General Session - What’s Next for MAHA? Sponsored By:		Sinatra Ballroom 7-14
	The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has created upheaval and change in the food industry. Led by a community of activists, influencers, policymakers, and lawmakers at the local and national levels, the MAHA movement has gained widespread attention from consumers for its focus on improving the health outcomes of Americans. But can the movement sustain its influence on policy and culture, and what does the future of MAHA portend for good and nutrition companies? Join us to get the inside perspective from influential voices in healthcare, food policy, and business on the future of MAHA and how to position your company for success.