Contact: Jeannette Roeder, IDFA
(202) 220-3562
September 13-15, 2010, Dallas Convention Center
(Washington, D.C. - July 16, 2010) IDFA announced today a comprehensive package of business solutions and innovative ideas that will await attendees at the International Dairy Show, September 13-15, at the Dallas Convention Center. The full-color, 24-page International Dairy Show brochure released this week is "bursting with opportunities" for dairy industry professionals.
"Recognizing the growing demand for integrated business solutions, as well as more speed and efficiency, we have put together a robust and relevant conference program that features dynamic educational sessions and on-floor presentations that will complement the excitement provided by the exhibits," said IDFA President and CEO Connie Tipton.
The three-day, dairy-specific trade show will feature a comprehensive line-up of sessions, more than 300 suppliers demonstrating the latest innovations and business solutions, and networking events that will provide opportunities to build relationships across the dairy industry.
Educational Program
The International Dairy Show's rich educational program will be anchored by marquee "Signature Sessions" that will explore the latest information about nutrition, consumer behavior and market trends. Featured speakers will include former President George W. Bush; Elaine D. Kolish, vice president and director of the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative for the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.; and Harry Balzer, NPD group vice president and author of "Eating Patterns in America."
"The speakers will give updates on current market trends and issues going on in the industry," said Corrinne Reed, vice president of dairy products for International Dairy Queen. "With dairy being a global market, it's very important to have that information presented to you and stay up to date."
In addition to the Signature Sessions, the educational program will offer access to the latest research and best practices from industry leaders. Organized into four tracks, the sessions will offer focused takeaways for immediate application within manufacturing and processing plants
- Sustainability and plant operations sessions will demonstrate how to develop and implement a sustainability strategy; offer case studies on cost reductions through water, energy and waste management; and provide a look at ground-breaking processing and packaging projects that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Food safety and traceability sessions will include an overview of third-party certification programs, aseptic technology, rapid microbial-detection systems and full dairy traceability. Food defense sessions will cover vulnerability assessments, risk communication strategies and food-defense tools available from the federal government.
- Consumer trends, nutrition and product development sessions will look at what kids are eating at school and how popular foods are being reformulated into better-for-you options. They also will examine dairy's place in plant-based diets and chocolate milk's emerging popularity as a sports recovery drink.
- Business operations and marketing sessions will present research and strategies on how to market dairy to international consumers, reposition private labels to appeal to upscale buyers and use financial-reporting techniques to enhance the bottom line for small businesses.
On-Floor Highlights
The floor of the Dallas Convention Center will be teeming with more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the equipment, processes and technology that attendees need to make informed purchasing decisions.
"We can bring everyone together in one spot and very efficiently gather with all the critical suppliers of ingredients, packaging, materials and equipment - all the companies that we would have to routinely spend lots of time visiting separately," said Mike Reidy, senior vice president for procurement, logistics and business development, Leprino Foods Company. "The efficiency as well as the quality of the exhibitors is what brings such tremendous value to the show."
The Ingredients, Flavorings and Seasonings Pavilion will highlight new trends in product additives and enhancements. Cooking demonstrations will incorporate the recipes and new products featured in several of the educational sessions and available from exhibitors at the show.
Show attendees also will be able to visit the Milk Mustache Mobile "Milk the Moment" Tour exhibit, pose for souvenir milk mustache photos and participate in a football-toss activity sponsored by the NFL/National Dairy Council's Fuel Up to Play 60 program, which focuses on the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.
Networking
A number of social events, including daily receptions on the show floor, will offer outstanding networking opportunities. A tour of the Dallas Cowboys' stadium will kick off the show on Sunday, September 12 followed by the "Welcome to Dallas" opening reception Monday, September 13. Tuesday's on-floor reception will convert the Dairy Bar, where attendees can sample new beverages and dairy products throughout the show, into a wine/beer bar at the end of the day. The closing reception on Wednesday, September 15, will salute Dallas for hosting the dairy community in 2010 and prepare for the 2011 International Dairy Show, which will be held September 19-21 in Atlanta.
"The International Dairy Show is important to me and other Dean Foods executives. It's an opportunity to meet with our suppliers, whom we consider important strategic partners, and it's a great and efficient way for us to get together and make plans for the future," said Harrald Kroeker, president of Fresh Dairy Direct, Dean Foods Company.
Early-bird registration is available until August 6. Visit www.dairyshow.com for more details.
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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.