Hosted by the International Dairy Foods Association, Washington, D.C., the show is scheduled for Sept. 19-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.
Nearly 300 suppliers are slated to demonstrate machinery, innovations, ingredients, packaging, distribution systems, sanitizing systems and more. Whether it is development, procurement, processing, packaging, distribution, sales or marketing, the food industry is constantly evolving.
Exhibitors and industry experts will share white papers, best practices, product demonstrations and treats. Visitors are also invited to sample the best the dairy industry has to offer at the Dairy and Beverage Bar, which will include new ice cream flavors and milks, frozen treats, cheeses, and more.
Located on the perimeter of the show floor are meeting rooms designed to offer a private space for holding meetings, giving presentations and conducting contract discussions.
“Whether you want to discuss business strategies with your team, host a corporate meeting or a customer reception, purchasing one of these rooms is a great way to save time and money,” says Robin Cornelison, IDFA tradeshow director. “This service is just one more way the International Dairy Show can help exhibiting and member companies achieve their business goals and connect with current and future customers.”
Dairy Foods will have a booth on the exhibit floor, and is participating in several events. On the afternoon of Sept. 21, publisher Tom Imbordino and editor-in-chief Jim Carper will present the magazine’s Plant of the Year award to executives from Graeter Manufacturing Co., Cincinnati (see page 36). Product development editor Donna Berry speaks on International Dairy Trends during a Signature Session on that morning.
The International Dairy Show will kick off Sept. 19 from 9-10 a.m. with keynote speaker Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to President George W. Bush.
He will share his view of the political landscape leading up to 2012 elections and outline the challenges he sees ahead for the country.
Conference tracks and pavilions
The 2011 Dairy Show program is right on point with key industry issues and trends. As a result, the conference tracks will cover a variety of issues that are affecting the bottom line of all dairy industry professionals and processors, including:
• Safety and traceability. Discuss the Food Safety Modern-ization Act, the Reportable Food Registry and technology and solutions to help processors with the implementation of the new food safety regulations and certification training.
• Product development and nutrition. Explore the challenges and opportunities related to both current and newer sweeteners as they apply to the dairy industry, review new solutions to reduce sodium in cheese and discover innovations and opportunities for cheese.
• Consumer trends and marketing. Learn about growing market share, brand loyalty, consumer research and milk’s role in the competitive beverage set.
• Sustainability and plant operations. Get the latest on corporate social reporting and sustainability reporting, automating production scheduling, lowering transportation costs, overcoming hurdles and accelerating sustainability results.
• Business management. Gather new insights on the importance of a strategic hiring and development process, leadership development, current labor pool data, statistics on performance and productivity and volatility and risk in the dairy industry.
The International Dairy Show also will feature the newest innovations in technology, packaging, ingredients and services in pavilion format. The following pavilions are open to all attendees:
• Ingredients, Flavorings and Seasonings. Ingredients, flavorings and seasonings have become the driving forces of the dairy foods industry. Whether used for processed foods or beverages, ingredients have taken center stage and are used to enhance taste, texture and color. This pavilion will provide a centralized hot-spot where attendees can explore flavors and ingredients that offer new tastes as well as enhance existing products. Presentations and cooking demonstrations will highlight global flavors and changing consumer tastes and preferences.
• Food Safety. Recent food safety legislation has created more opportunity for food safety innovations in dairy foods processing, transportation, worker cleanliness, equipment and factory sanitation. This pavilion will provide a concentrated area on the exhibit show floor, complete with tailored educational sessions for attendees seeking information on the latest products and processes in sanitation and food safety.
• Innovations Showcase. The Innovations Showcase Pavilion will provide a convenient way for both buyers and suppliers to conduct business, bringing everyone together in one place at the same time to learn about the latest in processing techniques and machinery, innovative packaging, advances in distribution, facility innovation and more. Voting for the Attendee Choice Award will take place during the show and will end at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20. All award winners will be announced on Sept. 21 at the iDairyShow Theater in Booth 330. In addition, award winners will be promoted in the October edition of Dairy Foods magazine. n
For exhibitor and attendee information, travel arrangements, airfare discounts, registration links and more, go to www.dairyshow.com.
Exhibit Show Hours
Monday, Sept. 19 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 21 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
*Exhibit show hours are subject to change.
iDairy Show
New to the International Dairy Show is an interactive feature called the iDairyShow, which provides online and on-floor opportunities for attendees to connect with show participants, exchange information, chat about challenges and share stories.
On the show floor, the iDairyShow (Booth 229) will feature presentations from leading industry experts in food security, sustainable practices, consumer research, marketing and more.
And, on Sept. 21, award winners from the first Annual Innovations Award will be announced at the iDairyShow Theater in Booth 330.
Participants can link to the Dairy Show Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DairyShow), Twitter feed (@dairyshow) and LinkedIn group as well as other social media sites. Social media connections also include the ChirpE page, a free mobile application from a2z, Inc., Columbia, Md., where attendees can receive the latest buzz, search for products and exhibitors and view the interactive floor plan. The ChirpE application is compatible with any major smartphone, and offers integration with many social media applications. There will also be a new SmartPhone app available for the iDairyShow. n
Meet the Owners of the Plant of the Year
While at the 2011 International Dairy Show, Dairy Foods magazine will present its 2011 Plant of the Year Award to representatives from Graeter’s Manufacturing Co., Cincinnati. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21.
To accommodate its growth from a regional brand to national distribution, Graeter’s built a 28,000-square-foot ice cream plant that opened in 2010. The production facility blends modern-day equipment and production flows with Graeter’s traditional handmade manufacturing method using French pots. n
Session Highlights
Latest Landscape in the World of Sweeteners
Monday, Sept. 19, 10-10:50 a.m.
This presentation will explore the challenges and opportunities related to current and newer sweeteners as they apply to key dairy industry categories. Attendees will learn about new research and insights into attitudes, behaviors and trends in the world of sweeteners and where the biggest opportunities lie for dairy.
Brand Vibes: How to Grow Market Share and Build Brand Loyalty in a Fragmented Marketplace
Monday, Sept. 19, 10-10:50 a.m.
With the fragmentation of distribution channels and consumer confusion due to an abundance of choices, brands are truly challenged in growing market share and brand loyalty. This presentation will explore the dynamics impacting how consumers engage with brands and examine a new emerging trend that delivers measurable results while building strong consumer loyalty. Learn about vertically integrated brand engagement strategies, discover the trends shaping this new approach and hear who is pioneering this approach with success.
Food Safety Modernization Act and Reportable Food Registry Updates
Monday, Sept. 19, 10-11:50 a.m.
Hear first-hand from the Food and Drug Administration professionals on what the Reportable Food Registry and the Food Modernization Act could mean for the dairy industry. Get an overview on the Reportable Food Registry that is currently in place and what upcoming legislation changes could mean for the RFR. Learn about preventative controls, food defense plans and how this legislation could impact the dairy industry. Then hear from a panel of suppliers and industry experts who will discuss technology and solutions to help processors with the implementation of the new food safety regulations.
Know Your Transportation Costs so You Can Profitably Price Your Cases
Monday, Sept. 19, 11-11:50 a.m.
There are many hidden transportation costs that dairy plants with private fleets may not figure into their pricing per case. There is also pending legislation that could potentially impact operating costs, especially the threat of unionization. This presentation will primarily focus on the following hidden costs: cost of capital, cost of replacement capital, lost opportunity cost of capital (transportation cost savings that could be sent to marketing to grow new customers, price promotions to attract volume, plant expansion, or acquisitions), liability insurance, workers compensation and all the OSHA requirements around training, employment, EEOC, and excess supervision.
Building a Better Mousetrap: Cheese and the Sodium Challenge
Monday, Sept. 19, 11-11:50 a.m.
This session will provide attendees with an overview of the challenges and opportunities of sodium reduction in cheese. The panel discussion will highlight how research insights can motivate industry-wide action. Attendees will hear firsthand how industry professionals have been working together to be leaders in responding to this public health concern through education and outreach, food safety and rapid sodium testing. Finally, attendees will get to speak with the panel members on what is next for cheese and sodium as well as other innovations and opportunities for cheese on the horizon.
Sustainability and Consumer Convenience in Retail Milk Packaging
Monday, Sept. 19, 11-11:20 a.m., iDairy Show Theater, Booth 330
This 20-minute technical presentation will offer dairies, milk distributors and retailers advice and specific actions to consider when optimizing an operation’s sustainability objectives. n
