In her keynote speech, the organization's new President and CEO Connie Tipton, encouraged dairy processors to "risk success."
"The truth is, the dairy industry doesn't really like to take risks," Tipton said. "It's not in our nature.
"We are alone among major industries in paying so much attention to production and not enough attention to marketing and brand development. Individually, many of you are risk takers but collectively, we are risk avoiders," Tipton said.
Also at the forum, IDFA Chairman Lou Gentine, chairman and CEO of Sargento Foods, presented two awards for impressive industry achievements: the National Cheese Institute's Laureate Award to Dr. Elmer Marth, and the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year title to C Bar M Dairy of Jerome, Idaho.
Dairy Foods presented its processor of the year award to Stonyfield Farm President Gary Hirshberg, and Dairy Field Magazine recognized Tip Tipton, who stepped down from his position with IDFA this year to start a Washington consultancy.
