IDFA President and CEO Connie Tipton delivered the opening speech at the 2009 Innovation Forum held February 19-20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Speaking on “Shared Industry Innovations and Insights,” Tipton demonstrated how dairy standards of identity and federal milk pricing regulations have become impediments to industry growth and innovation, and called on leaders to work collaboratively to make necessary changes.

Two IDFA vice presidents also presented at the meeting, which was sponsored by Dairy Management Inc. Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs, participated in a panel discussion on "Sustainability: A Strategic Priority with a Triple Bottom Line – Economic, Environmental and Social." Cary Frye, IDFA vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs, spoke on "Leveraging Health and Wellness Marketing through Claims."