Dairy Forum 2027

Overview

Dairy Forum heads to Orlando, Fla., in 2027 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.

Agenda

*All Times Eastern Print Agenda

January 24, 2027	Event	Speaker	Location
7:30am	Morning Golf Tournament Sponsored By:		The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
9:00am	5k Fun Run/Walk		Valencia Terrace and Lawn
12:30pm	Afternoon Golf Tournament Sponsored By:		The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
2:00pm - 4:00pm	IDFA Executive Council Meeting (invitation only)
4:30pm - 5:00pm	NextGen Welcome (invitation only)
5:00pm - 5:45pm	Chairman’s Reception (invitation only) Sponsored By:
6:00pm - 7:00pm	Chairman’s Lecture featuring Dana Perino Sponsored By:		Coquina Ballroom
7:00pm - 8:30pm	Welcome Reception Sponsored By:		Valencia Lawn
January 25, 2027	Event	Speaker	Location
8:30am - 9:30am	President’s Breakfast Sponsored By:		Coquina Ballroom
9:30am - 9:45am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Prefunction
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session: The Future of Food Policy Starts in the States		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 4
	State legislatures are increasingly taking the lead on food policy, advancing measures ranging from ingredient bans and warning-label requirements to new compliance obligations for food and beverage companies. Fueled by the Make America Healthy Again movement and advocacy from consumer groups, these efforts are creating a complex patchwork of regulations across the country. This panel brings together diverse perspectives from industry, legal and consumer advocacy leaders to examine how state-level food policy is shaped, why these efforts are gaining momentum and what they mean for the future of food regulation. Gain valuable insight into the drivers behind today's policy debates, the legal and business challenges they create and the strategies stakeholders are using to influence the outcome.
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session: Back to the Future with Dairy Plant Design Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 5
	Experience is a powerful design tool. This session explores how dairy companies can apply lessons from past plant startups, expansions and equipment upgrades to make smarter decisions for future facilities and capital projects. Industry leaders, engineers, equipment suppliers and hygienic design experts will share real-world insights on facility design, equipment selection, commissioning, validation and operational readiness, highlighting what they wish they had known earlier. The discussion will also examine how automation and AI-enabled tools, from process monitoring and predictive maintenance to automated CIP verification and digital documentation, can help improve food safety, reduce downtime and identify risks before they become costly problems. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for designing dairy facilities that are easier to clean, maintain, validate and operate for long-term success.
10:45am - 11:00am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Prefunction
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: The Next 5 Years of Dairy Trade Policy Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 4
	Global trade is entering a period of significant change, creating both challenges and opportunities for U.S. dairy. Recent years have brought uncertainty around USMCA, escalating tariff disputes, intensifying competition with China and geopolitical instability that is reshaping global commerce. As companies adapt to this evolving landscape, identifying new markets and growth opportunities will be critical to maintaining competitiveness and resilience. Join leading trade experts for a candid discussion on the forces shaping the future of international trade, what they mean for U.S. dairy exports and how the industry can position itself for success in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: Extended Producer Responsibility and the Future of Packaging		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 5
	2026 was the wake-up call for leaders across the dairy industry as companies felt the sticker shock and operational complexity of multiple performance-driven state Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. As performance-based EPR programs continue to expand, companies must navigate a complex and evolving landscape that is reshaping supply chains, packaging decisions, brand reputation and investor expectations. Hear from experts representing different perspectives as they examine the real-world impacts of EPR, the opportunities for innovation and the strategies forward-thinking companies are using to turn compliance into a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing marketplace.
12:15pm - 2:00pm	Lunch Session featuring Peter Zeihan Sponsored By:		Coquina Ballroom
2:00pm - 2:15pm	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Prefunction
2:15pm - 3:00pm	Partner Content Session: Building a Better Future for Dairy and the Environment Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 5
	Food companies and retailers are working alongside dairy producers and supply chain partners to utilize ready-now technologies like methane-reducing feed ingredients to help meet Scope 3 and industry-wide greenhouse gas reduction goals, while also satisfying consumer expectations. This panel will share examples of how these solutions have already provided significant, verified GHG reductions in supply chains, while also providing farmers with another steady source of income – and consumers with a safe, high-quality and sustainable source of protein they trust.
2:15pm - 3:00pm	Partner Content Session: Unlocking the Next Wave of Growth in Cultured Dairy Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 4
	Consumer demand for high-protein, value-added dairy products continues to reshape the cultured dairy category. From Greek yogurt and skyr to protein-enriched and functional offerings, brands are investing in new products designed to meet evolving consumer expectations for nutrition, taste and convenience. At the same time, dairy manufacturers face increasing pressure to improve operational efficiency, advance sustainability goals, and create meaningful differentiation in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Join Tetra Pak for a discussion on how leading dairy brands are leveraging innovation across both processing and packaging to unlock new opportunities for growth. From high-protein production technologies to next-generation paper-based packaging formats for yogurt, cultured dairy desserts and fresh cheese products, attendees will gain insights into the future of cultured dairy and new opportunities for value creation.
3:15pm - 4:00pm	Partner Content Session: AI in Action Across the Dairy Value Chain Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 4
	Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the dairy value chain, creating new opportunities to improve efficiency, visibility and decision-making. From the farm and transportation networks to processing plants and consumer engagement, dairy leaders are evaluating how AI can deliver measurable business value today. This session will explore how companies are using AI to connect siloed systems, prioritize the data that matters most and reduce manual work without adding risk. Attendees will gain practical insights into where AI is driving results across dairy operations and how to turn data into smarter business decisions.
2:15pm - 3:15pm	International Trade Committee Meeting
2:15pm - 3:15pm	Regulatory & Legal Community Meeting
2:15pm - 2:45pm	Media Meet-and-Greet (invitation only)
2:45pm - 3:15pm	Press Briefing (invitation only)
3:30pm - 5:00pm	Foundation Cornhole Tournament Sponsored By:		Valencia Lawn
5:00pm - 6:00pm	Women in Dairy Event Sponsored By:		Citrus Garden
6:00pm - 7:30pm	PAC Reception (invitation only)		Primo Terrace
January 26, 2027	Event	Speaker	Location
8:30am - 9:30am	Breakfast Session: Dairy's Economic Outlook for 2027 and Beyond Sponsored By:		Coquina Ballroom
	As dairy demand continues to grow both at home and abroad, what lies ahead for dairy farmers, processors, and the broader industry? This panel of leading economic experts will examine the outlook for dairy production and processing in 2027 and beyond, exploring the market forces, policy developments, and investment trends shaping the industry's future. From emerging consumer demand and global market opportunities to trade uncertainty, workforce challenges, and competing international policies, panelists will provide critical insights into the opportunities and risks ahead. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the economic fundamentals driving dairy's growth and the factors most likely to influence investment, innovation, and competitiveness across the industry in the years to come.
9:30am - 9:45am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Prefunction
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session: Securing Dairy’s Workforce Future		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 4
	Workforce challenges remain one of the most pressing issues facing the dairy industry as immigration enforcement increases and policymakers continue to debate the future of the U.S. immigration system. This session will explore the political and legislative landscape shaping workforce policy, including the prospects for bipartisan immigration reform, the future of H-2A and year-round workforce solutions and the impact of recent administrative actions on dairy employers. Featuring insights from labor experts, policy strategists and industry leaders, the discussion will examine whether a broader agreement on border security, enforcement and workforce modernization is possible and what it could mean for dairy businesses. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the policy outlook and the potential implications for workforce planning, operations and long-term industry growth.
9:45am - 10:45am	Deep Dive Session: Food Safety Culture Starts with the C-Suite		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 5
	Food safety culture starts at the top. While Food Safety and Quality Assurance teams play a critical role, lasting success depends on active engagement from senior leadership. This session examines how executives can embed food safety into business strategy by driving accountability, prioritizing resources and making principle-based decisions that protect consumers and strengthen organizational resilience. Attendees will gain insight into the legal responsibilities and business risks associated with weak food safety oversight, as well as the leadership practices that help build a culture where food safety is not just a function, but a core corporate value.
10:45am - 11:00am	Networking Break Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Prefunction
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: The Next Chapter of Dairy’s Healthy Halo		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 4
	Dairy’s reputation as a nutritious, protein-rich food has never been stronger, but maintaining and expanding that “healthy halo” will require new partnerships and innovative approaches. Join leaders from government, retail and the nonprofit sector as they explore how organizations are working to increase access to healthy foods and improve nutrition outcomes, creating new opportunities for dairy to play a leading role. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ new MAHA ELEVATE initiative to retailer incentive programs and nonprofit efforts focused on closing protein gaps, this discussion will highlight emerging collaborations that can help bring dairy’s nutrition benefits to more consumers and communities. Learn where momentum is building, who the key partners are and how the dairy industry can engage to turn opportunity into impact.
11:00am - 12:00pm	Deep Dive Session: Outside the Bottle and Into the Future with Entrepreneurship Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 5
	Dairy is at a pivotal moment. Shifting consumer expectations, evolving nutrition needs, emerging technologies, sustainability pressures and new routes to market are reshaping not only what dairy can offer, but how the industry defines dairy itself. Using entrepreneurship as a lens, this session will explore how founders and innovators are challenging long-held assumptions about where value is created and how products, ingredients, technologies and business models reach the market. Panelists will discuss emerging opportunities to expand dairy's reach, accelerate innovation and create new sources of demand while building on the trust, nutrition, and functionality that have long been the foundation of the category. Attendees will leave with a broader perspective on the future size, scope and possibilities of the dairy market.
12:15pm - 2:00pm	Lunch Session featuring Kevin Brown Sponsored By:		Coquina Ballroom
2:00pm - 3:00pm	NextGen Leadership Roundtable (invitation only)
2:15pm - 3:00pm	Partner Content Session: The Next Frontier Beyond Protein Sponsored By:		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 4
	As protein demand continues to surge, dairy manufacturers are asking what comes next and how to capitalize on trends like GLP-1. New consumer research suggests the bigger opportunity lies in understanding the consumer needs driving protein demand in the first place. Consumers are turning to protein not for its own sake, but to support healthy aging, weight management, satiety, wellness, performance and convenience. Drawing on proprietary consumer research and market insights, this session will challenge conventional thinking around protein, explore the needs fueling demand beyond the GLP-1 narrative and identify the growth platforms most likely to shape the next decade of dairy innovation. Attendees will leave with a framework for where to place innovation bets and how to create value beyond protein claims.
2:15pm - 3:00pm	Partner Content Session		Mediterranean Ballroom Salon 5
2:15pm - 3:15pm	Economic Policy Committee (invitation only)
3:30pm - 4:30pm	Sustainability Committee Meeting (invitation only)
5:00pm - 6:30pm	Cocktails and Conversations Sponsored By:		Valencia Lawn
9:00am	NextGen Nightcap Sponsored By:		EvrBar
January 27, 2027	Event	Speaker	Location
8:00am - 9:00am	General Session: Dairy Marketing & Innovation in a Changing Environment Sponsored By:		Coquina Ballroom
	Consumer expectations around health and wellness are evolving as demand for protein grows, GLP-1 medications influence eating habits, and shoppers seek foods that deliver nutrition, convenience, and satisfaction. Dan Frommer, founder and editor-in-chief of The New Consumer, will share original research on shifting consumer behaviors before moderating a discussion with dairy innovation and marketing leaders. Together, they will explore how companies are responding with new products, formats, and messaging strategies across categories ranging from high-protein beverages and cultured dairy to cheese and snacks. Attendees will gain insights into the trends shaping consumer demand and how dairy can innovate to meet the needs of a more intentional shopper.
9:00am - 10:00am	Closing Session: Inside the 120th Congress and What It Means for Dairy Sponsored By:		Coquina Ballroom
	This fireside chat will provide an insider's perspective on 120^th Congress and what these changes mean for the dairy industry's priorities. As policymakers look toward 2027 and the 2028 presidential election cycle, shifting political dynamics in the U.S. House and Senate will shape the legislative agenda and influence how the Trump Administration advances its priorities. With divided political interests, increased reliance on the U.S. Senate and expanded use of executive authority, businesses face a complex and evolving policy environment. What should dairy companies expect from Washington in the years ahead? How will advocacy strategies need to adapt? Drawing on experience from senior government roles, extensive bipartisan relationships, and deep knowledge of the political process, this panel of Washington experts will provide insights to help attendees navigate what promises to be an active and consequential 120^th Congress.