The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, both headquartered in Madison, Wis., are hosting the cheese industry’s most exclusive show — the International Cheese Technology Exposition (ICTE), April 10-12 at the Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wis.

The ICTE is an intensive combination of morning seminars, two full afternoons of uninterrupted exposition and evening social affairs for dairy manufacturers and suppliers. Plus, this year’s exhibit floor will be 33% larger than the show’s record-setter in 2010. For more information about the show, go to www.cheeseexpo.org.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, April 10

6-8 p.m.  Welcome Reception

Wednesday, April 11

8-9 a.m.  WCMA Opening Address: Mark Murphy, president and CEO, Green Bay Packers.

9 a.m. to noon  Concurrent Session. “Cheese: Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Opportunities.” Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research and Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

How do we deal with the challenges of yeasts and molds? How do we get back to the basics regarding factors that affect body, texture and flavor in cheesemaking? Once you’ve made your cheese, how do you capture the value of whey? CDR staff will share the latest research findings in all of these areas, while the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy will focus on opportunities such as the impact of the new school lunch program on cheese, followed by their new report on the Future of Dairy and Cheese Research.

• 9 a.m.  Opening Remarks. Moderator Dr. John Lucey, director, Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research (WCDR)

• 9:10 a.m. “Getting Back to the Basics:  Factors that Affect Body, Texture and Flavor.” Dr. Mark Johnson, senior scientist and assistant director, WCDR

• 9:40 a.m. “Diagnosis: Yeasts and Molds; Now What?” Dean Sommer, cheese and food technologist, WCDR

• 9:55 a.m. “You’ve Made your Cheese; How do You Capture the Value of the Whey?” Karen Smith, dairy processing technologist, WCDR

• 10:15 a.m. Panel Q&A

• 11 a.m. “The Future of Dairy.” Lynn Stachure, senior vice president, strategy, insights and planning, Dairy Management, Inc.

• 11:15 a.m. “The Future of Cheese.” Dr. Steve Hill, director, cheese research and development, Kraft Foods

• 11:30 a.m.“Cheese in the New School Environment.” Speaker to be determined

• 11:50 a.m. Panel Q&A

9 a.m. to noon  Concurrent Session.  Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and University of Wisconsin Agricultural and Applied Economics

“Reforming Dairy Policy Reform.” Construction resumes on federal dairy policy as Congress plans to build a 2012 Farm Bill in the spring. World trade opportunities demand changes in dairy product price supports, federal milk marketing orders and even dairy product standards. And, domestic budget pressure points to the end of government pay-outs and new opportunities to address milk price volatility and market downturns. Join economists Mark Stephenson and Brian Gould for a fresh look at dairy policy.

• 9 a.m. “Dairy Policy Update.” Moderator Phil Plourd, president, Blimling & Associates

• 9:15 a.m. “Market-based Ideas for Dairy Product Price Discovery.” Mark Stephenson, director, Dairy Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• 9:45 a.m. “Dairy Revenue Risk Management: Why is it Needed and What are the Best Alternatives?” Brian Gould, associate professor, agricultural and applied economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• 10:45 a.m. “Today’s Worldwide Dairy Opportunities.” Panel moderator Phil Plourd, president, Blimling & Associates

• 11 a.m. Discussion Panel: Jon Davis, president and CEO, Davisco Foods International; Sue Taylor, vice president, dairy policy and procurement, Leprino Foods; David Ahlem, vice president, dairy policy and procurement, Hilmar Cheese

Noon to 1 p.m.  WCMA Luncheon. Achievement Awards Presentations.

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association will honor three recipients of WCMA’s Distinguished Service Award and congratulate the third-year graduates of WCMA Management Skill for Dairy Professionals certificate program.

12:30 – 5 p.m.  Exhibit Hall Open.

5-7 p.m. Reception and World Championship Cheese Auction

Thursday, April 12

8-9 a.m.

“Baker Tilly Opening Address.” Pilot Jeff Skiles relates the tale of the Miracle on the Hudson. Skiles, along with pilot Chesley Sullenberger, landed U.S. Airways Flight 1549 safely on the Hudson River 60 seconds after losing all engines over New York City.

9 a.m. to noon  Concurrent Session. “Asian Export Opportunities for Dairy Processors and Equipment Manufacturers.”

U.S. Dairy Export Council and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection & Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

U.S. dairy exports to Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and China are growing for whey products, lactose, milk powders and cheese. USDEC experts will break down market opportunities in the region, as well as U.S. concerns with European geographic indicators that threaten to block U.S. cheese varieties from entering Asian markets. Wisconsin export specialists will discuss equipment sales opportunities in Asia. The session concludes with a special address from Korean import specialist Sunny Ahn.

• 9 a.m. Welcome from Seminar Hosts

• 9:15 a.m. “The Global Cheese Market Opportunity.” Angélique Hollister, vice president, cheese marketing, U.S. Dairy Export Council

• 9:45 a.m.“Export Services and Opportunities for Dairy Food Companies & Equipment Manufacturers.” Brad Schneider, export development manager, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; Lisa Stout, agricultural marketing consultant, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

• 11 a.m.“Safeguarding Traditional Cheese Names.” Shawna Morris, vice president, trade policy, U.S. Dairy Export Council

• 11:20 a.m.“South Korea: Market Trends and Opportunities for U.S. Cheese.” Sunny Ahn, president, FoodMinds Co., Ltd.

• 11:50 a.m.Panel Q&A

9 a.m. to noon  Concurrent Session. “New Regulatory Challenges for Food Safety.”

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. New programs and laws from regulators in the United States and abroad will challenge dairy processors of all sizes in 2012. Provisions within the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), FDA’s environmental plant inspections, controversial antibiotic residue milk testing and USDA’s updated European Health Certificate Program are teed up for 2012. Agency and industry experts will discuss the “whys” behind these new regulations and the “how to’s” of compliance.

• 9 a.m.Opening Remarks. Moderator Matt Mathison, vice president, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

• 9:10 a.m.“Food Safety Modernization Act – An FDA Perspective on Dairy Food Safety.” John F. Sheehan, director, division of plant and dairy food safety, U.S Food & Drug Administration

• 9:40 a.m.“Food Safety Modernization Act – Dairy Company Compliance.” Janet Raddatz, vice president, quality and food safety systems, Sargento Foods, Inc.

• 10:10 a.m. “European Health Certificate Marketing Program.” Ken Vorgert, chief, dairy grading branch, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

• 11 a.m.Industry Panel: “What Matters: Safe Meat and Milk – Industry’s Response to FDA’s Milk Testing Assignment.” Shelly Mayer, executive director, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin; Kim Brown Pokorny, executive director, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Dave Rhoda, chair, WVMA Residue Task Force

9 a.m. to noon  Concurrent Session. “Breaking Down Barriers to Growth via Waste to Energy Solutions.” Baker Tilly.

An interactive discussion from industry experts regarding the growing issues around waste management in the cheese industry and creative engineering solutions to deal with this common challenge. This session will include case studies of cheese manufacturers currently using waste-to-energy solutions and a review of tax incentives for waste-to-energy projects.

• 9 a.m.Opening Remarks.  Moderator Joel Laubenstein, manager, energy and utilities, Baker Tilly

• 9:10 a.m. “Waste to Energy Expert Panel.” Thomas Probst, partner, The Probst Group, LLC;  Thomas Evans, president, Combustion Systems Co, Inc.;  Shashank Khandavalli, director, food and beverage, GE;  Lou Pagliarini, food and beverage industrial solutions, GE Energy

• 11 a.m.“Case Study: Cheese Processor Currently Utilizing Waste to Energy Solutions.”

• Speaker invited

• 11:30 a.m.“Tax and Incentive Opportunities for Waste to Energy Projects.” Mike Fitzpatrick, partner, Baker Tilly

Noon – 1 p.m.  Luncheon

12:30-4 p.m.  Exhibit Hall Open

5-8:30 p.m.  Reception and World Championship Cheese Awards Banquet

8:30 p.m.  Afterglow Reception