La Quinta Resort, La Quinta, Calif.

IDFA's premier annual meeting gathers players from all sectors of the dairy industry to discuss and debate the hottest policy issues. Program highlights include the presentation of several industry awards, including Dairy Foods' Processor of the Year, the National Cheese Institute Laureate Award, the IDFA Soaring Eagle Award and the Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year Award.

Feb. 5-8 International Sweetener Colloquium, Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, Hollywood, Fla. Produced for the Sweetener Users Association, this event will address the crucial business issues facing the producers and users of sweeteners.

March 1-3 Ice Cream Technology Conference, Renaissance Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz. A forum for participants to discuss technical issues pertinent to the frozen desserts industry. Attendees are invited to participate in the annual "New Ice Cream Flavor" competition, sponsored by Dairy Foods.

March 15-16 SmartMarketing 2006, Westin Casuarina Hotel and Spa, Las Vegas, Nev. The only dairy-specific marketing meeting, this conference examines the key marketing and consumer trends shaping the way that dairy marketers do business.

March 28-29 Dairy 101: IDFA's Milk Procurement Workshop, Westin O'Hare, Rosemont, Ill. "Dairy 101" is a must for anyone who needs to learn dairy market basics.

April 25-26 Plant Operations Conference, Moves to new location: Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites, St. Louis, Mo. This perennially popular meeting will provide the necessary information to ensure product safety and quality in a dairy operation.

May 16-17 Dairy Cost Accounting Workshop, Westin O'Hare, Rosemont, Ill. This industry-specific workshop provides dairy company controller and accounting personnel with cost accounting and route distribution basics, as well as information on how to apply production efficiency strategies to the accounting function. Accountants can earn CPE credits for attending this two-day workshop.

May 23-24 Cultured Dairy Products Conference, Hilton Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minn. Designed to provide information specific to the manufacturing and selling of cultured dairy foods.

June 14-15 Washington Conference, Washington Court Hotel, Washington, D.C. Policy briefings and political insights for dairy food executives. The agenda includes a review of pending legislation, networking opportunities with key members of Congress, and the 24th Annual Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party .

For more information on IDFA's 2006 program schedule, visit the "Meetings and Training" section of www.idfa.org, or contact IDFA Registrar Shira Pisner at register@idfa.org, 202/220-3557.