International Dairy Foods Association

Overview

Thank you to everyone who joined us in San Antonio for Dairy Forum 2025!

Presentations, Photos, and Live Stream Recordings can be found in the Dairy Forum 2025 Hub.

Save the date for Dairy Forum 2026! Next year's conference will be held from January 25-28 in Palm Desert, California.

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
7:30am	Morning Golf Tournament Sponsored By:		The Oaks at TPC
9:00am	5K Fun Run		Sunset Lawn
1:00pm	Afternoon Golf Tournament Sponsored By:		The Oaks at TPC
2:00pm - 4:00pm	IDFA Executive Council Meeting (invitation only)		Cibolo Canyon 6
5:00pm - 5:45pm	Chairman's Reception (invitation only) Sponsored By:		Periwinkle/Verbena
6:00pm - 7:00pm	Chairman’s Lecture - Understanding Washington’s New Agenda Sponsored By:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	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.
7:00pm - 8:30pm	Welcome Reception Sponsored By:		River Bend Pavilion
January 27, 2025	Event	Speaker	Location
8:30am - 9:30am	President's Breakfast Sponsored By:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	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.
9:30am - 9:45am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Grand Foyer
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session - The Future of Dairy Procurement Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 5
	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
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session - Beyond Carbon: Business & Natural Capital Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 7
	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.
10:45am - 11:00am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Grand Foyer
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: State of Women in Dairy - A Progress Report Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 5
	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, discover what partnerships have formed, and understand where we go from here.
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: Got Security? Protecting Dairy Processing in the Digital Age		Cibolo Canyon 7
	Cybersecurity threats in the dairy, food and agriculture sectors pose unique challenges that require targeting 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.
12:15pm - 2:00pm	Lunch Session - Lead to Win: Insights to Maximize Your Impact as a Leader in Today’s Evolving Environment Sponsored By:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	Carla Harris, Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley, gospel recording artist, and author of the book, Expect to Win and Strategize to Win, will share insights on leadership, emphasizing the transformative power of authenticity and embracing one’s true self. Through her wealth of industry knowledge and leadership acumen, she will delve into the significance of showing up authentically in both personal and professional realms. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives from Carla Harris on leadership, self-expression, and the profound impact of authenticity in driving success and fostering genuine connections.
2:00pm - 3:00pm	General Session: Leveraging Dairy's Health Halo to Attract Young and Non-Traditional Consumers		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	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.
3:00pm - 3:30pm	Media Meet and Greet (invitation only)		Grand Oaks F
3:00pm - 4:00pm	International Trade Committee Meeting (invitation only)		Cibolo Canyon 6
3:00pm - 4:00pm	Legal Community Meeting (invitation only)		Grand Oaks Salon N
3:15pm - 4:00pm	Unlocking Growth: Harnessing the Power of REAL Dairy and Health & Wellness to Give Consumers What They Really Want Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 5
	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.
3:15pm - 4:00pm	Artificial Intelligence and Automation in Dairy Production Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 7
	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.
3:30pm - 4:00pm	Press Briefing		Grand Oaks F
4:00pm - 5:00pm	Women in Dairy Event Sponsored By:		San Antonio Terrace
5:00pm - 6:30pm	Foundation Cornhole Tournament Sponsored By:		Event Lawn 1
6:00pm - 7:30pm	PAC Reception (invitation only)		Periwinkle/Verbena
January 28, 2025	Event	Speaker	Location
7:30am - 8:30am	State Association Executive Meeting (invitation only)		Grand Oaks N
8:30am - 9:30am	Breakfast Session: Rural Economic Outlook Sponsored By:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	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.
9:30am - 9:45am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Grand Foyer
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session: Dairy in an Evolving Health Environment Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 5
	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.
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session: FMMO Changes - Impacts on Risk Management for Processors and Buyers Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 7
	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.
10:45am - 11:00am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Grand Foyer
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: Making Dairy Limitless for the Next Black Swan Event		Cibolo Canyon 5
	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.
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: Strategic Advocacy in a Post-Chevron World		Cibolo Canyon 7
	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.
12:15pm - 2:00pm	Lunch Session - Navigating Global Volatility: Intelligence Insights for Dairy Leaders Sponsored By:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	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.
2:00pm - 3:00pm	General Session: What's New in Dairy Product Ingredient Innovation Sponsored By:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	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.
3:15pm - 4:00pm	Transforming Dairy for the Future: Driving Automation, Innovation, and Growth with Cloud Technology Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 5
	This session highlights how industry leaders are using cloud technology to spark innovation, drive growth, and stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape. Learn how AI is optimizing production, enhancing agility, and delivering smarter, faster decision-making. Discover how automation and data-driven strategies are revolutionizing supply chain efficiency and productivity. Hear directly from peers who have embraced these technologies to fuel growth and reimagine the future of dairy. Gain fresh perspectives and actionable insights to navigate the evolving dairy industry with confidence.
3:15pm - 4:00pm	Leading through Material Science: Advancing Sustainable Packaging Innovations for Dairy Products Sponsored By:		Cibolo Canyon 7
	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.
3:00pm - 4:30pm	NextGen Leadership Roundtable (invitation only)		Cibolo Canyon 6
3:30pm - 4:30pm	Economic Policy Committee Meeting (invitation only)		Grand Oaks AB
3:30pm - 4:30pm	Sustainability Committee Meeting (invitation only)		Grand Oaks N
4:30pm - 5:30pm	CEO In-Transition Roundtable		Grand Oaks D
5:30pm - 7:00pm	Cocktails and Conversation Sponsored By:		Grand Foyer
9:00pm - 10:30pm	NextGen Nightcap (invitation only) Sponsored By:		Topgolf Swing Suites at High Velocity
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:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	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.
9:00am - 10:00am	General Session: Saving Lives: How Dairy Is Partnering To Address Crises Sponsored By:		Grand Oaks Salon G-M
	For decades, partners like Feeding America have made it possible for food companies to step up and address hunger and crises in the U.S. Increasingly, nutritious dairy foods and dairy ingredients in fresh and shelf-stable formats are playing a vital role in getting important nutrients to hungry and vulnerable people through domestic and international relief programs. Join Nishant Roy with Chobani and Claire Babineaux-Fontenot of Feeding America for a special discussion on aligning corporate mission with values to help those in need.