The Wisconsin Cheese Industry Conference returns to the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis., April 20-21, 2005. Here, more than 1,000 cheese industry leaders from around the nation will gather to gain information about the latest in cheese technology, product marketing and dairy issues affecting the industry.

The conference, sponsored by Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research (WCDR), will open Wednesday morning, April 20, with a joint seminar, followed by an afternoon tabletop mini exposition and an evening of fun with an auction of champion cheeses.

Thursday, April 21, will consist of a full day of seminars. The conference will close Thursday evening with the United States Championship Cheese Contest Awards Banquet, open to all attendees.

Registration is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the La Crosse Center on both days. Attendees must display their official name badge at all times.

Ideas from the Demand Side

Hosted by Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

Cheese-industry growth is influenced by trendsetters and technology leaders in the retail and foodservice industries. The seminar hosts will invite several cheese buyers from the “demand side” to describe trends in cheese use, cheese varieties, distribution and marketing. Learn what these buyers predict for the future of the cheese industry.

DSM Food Specialties Luncheon

Enjoy a free lunch courtesy of DSM Food Specialties USA Inc.

TableTop Expo

Our largest-ever tabletop exposition will feature 157 exhibits from our supplier partners featuring the latest innovations in equipment, ingredients, software, services and more.

Chr. Hansen Inc. Reception and Auction of United States Championship Cheeses

Chr. Hansen Inc. hosts an evening of cheeses and refreshments, highlighted by the sale of gold medal cheeses from the 2005 United States Championship Cheese Contest.

Enhancing Operational Excellence

Sponsored by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association

Today’s competitive marketplace requires dairy companies to look at ways to enhance their competitive advantage while increasing their own profit levels. This seminar outlines Lean Manufacturing, a value-enhancing system that has proven successful within other industries; and best practices for energy efficiency at dairy facilities. Grow Wisconsin Dairy Team will highlight resources available to dairy companies.

Expanding Milk Production in the Upper Midwest: Challenges to Livestock Siting, Nutrient Management and Air Emissions

Sponsored by Dairy Business Association and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association

State and federal rulemaking is rewriting the environment for dairy farms planning to expand in size in the Upper Midwest. Unprecedented cooperation between industry and government is building rules and BMPs that will impact dairy growth for decades.

Cheese Research Update

Sponsored by Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research

Danisco Luncheon

Enjoy a free lunch courtesy of Danisco Inc.

1:15 to 4 p.m.

Crisis Management Planning

Sponsored by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

Product recalls, plant accidents or animal health issues require an immediate response. A crisis-planning document, if effectively prepared and executed, assists a company in protecting staff, products and property; and can also assist in working with the media, regulators and consumers.

CONCURRENT SEMINAR
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Building Sales in a Changing World

Sponsored by Dairy Business Innovation Center

Specialty products demand special marketing. Leaders in innovative marketing techniques in the cheese industry share their knowledge, with emphasis on company positioning and new sales opportunities for medium and small dairy product manufacturers.

Moderator: Laurie Greenberg, president, Cultural Landscapes LLC

Nutrition and Whey Research Update

Sponsored by Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research

Degussa Reception in Honor of United States Champions

Join Degussa Food Ingredients for a reception honoring the medal winning cheesemakers in the 2005 United States Championship Cheese Contest.

United States Champions Awards Banquet

The highlight of the year as Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association lauds the nation’s best cheesemakers and buttermakers.