Dairy processors can see technology and innovations in formulation, processing, packaging, distribution and food safety at this year’s International Dairy Show, presented by the International Dairy Foods Association, Washington, D.C. The show, which runs from Nov. 3 to 6, features enhanced programming and new on-floor promotions. Its exhibit size has already exceeded the 2011 show held in Atlanta, according to IDFA representatives.

The International Dairy Show is sharing the floor with Process Expo this year, which is organized by the Food Processing Suppliers Assn. (FPSA). Combined, the two bring together 800 exhibitors, 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and an expected 15,000 industry professionals. One benefit to the show’s co-location: processors gain access to both shows for the price of one (see page 74 for information about Process Expo.)

The International Dairy Show’s featured speaker is Harry Balzer, vice president of The NPD Group and an expert in food consulting and eating behavior. Balzer has been following the eating and drinking patterns of Americans for 35 years and is the author of The NPD Group’s Annual Report on Eating Patterns in America. In addition to the featured speaker, the show will offer attendees the chance to explore hot topics such as:

• Trends in areas such as sweeteners, nutrition, mobile marketing sustainability, small food and consumer choices
• Operating small fleets
• Natural gas fueling stations
• Traceability
• International opportunities
• Government contracting

Featured Sunday through Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (and until noon on Wednesday) members of the dairy community can meet at iDairyShow to participate in presentations and demonstrations from leading industry experts in food safety and traceability, sustainable practices, consumer research, marketing and more. There will also be on-floor cooking demonstrations during this time.

The IDFA Innovations Awards are once again taking place during the show and will be co-sponsored by Dairy Foods. Readers of the magazine and other dairy industry professionals will view and vote for their favorite innovations. Award winners will be selected in each of the following categories:

• Food Safety
• Ingredient/Flavoring/Seasoning/Additive
• Packaging
• Processing
• Sustainability
• Attendee Choice Award

Voting for the Attendee Choice Award will take place during the show and will end Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. All award winners will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the iDairyShow Theater in the South Hall.

The show hours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3-5 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 6. To register and for more information on educational sessions and travel arrangements, visit www.dairyshow.com.  

Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest comes to dairy show

The Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest 2013 will be held in conjunction with the International Dairy Show, Nov. 3 through 4, 2013, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Dairy Foods will be sponsoring the event.)

This unique two-day contest will bring the brightest and best dairy food technology students from around the country for a competition testing the quality of their sensory skills and a chance to network with industry personnel across the food, dairy and beverage industry.

Holding the contest with the International Dairy Show offers the blending of the most knowledgeable college students with real industry challenges, making for an excellent learning experience, according to the IDFA. After the two-day contest, the judging area will be transformed into a lounge for contest sponsors and alumni.

To learn more about the competition, or to enter the contest, visit www.dairyproductscontest.org. Entries are due by Oct. 12.

Dairy Foods presents Plant of the Year Award

Visitors toDairy Foods’ website voted a Bel Brands manufacturing facility in Wisconsin the 2013 Plant of the Year winner (see the August issue for details). On Wednesday, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., at the iDairyShow Theater, Dairy Foods will present the Plant of the Year award to Bel Brands during the Awards Presentations.

On Tuesday from 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., Bel Brands’ Plant Manager Ed Blascak will conduct a seminar on best practices followed by employees at the plant in Little Chute, Wis.

Highlights from the Educational Sessions

Sunday, Nov. 3:

• 2 p.m. – 2:50 p.m., Cooking Demo, Tasting sessions: Tasting with Cheese and Cheers 

Monday, Nov. 4:

• 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., Converting High Strength Waste to Energy: A case study at Grande Cheese Co.
• 11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Sweeteners & Dairy: The New Conversation. Why understanding consumer attitudes toward sweeteners is critical
• 11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Using Cow Manure to Fuel Your Fleet
• 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Food Trends with Harry Balzer
• 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. School Nutrition - Milk & Competitive Beverages

Tuesday, Nov. 5:

• 11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m., It’s a Greek Yogurt World
• 12 p.m. - 12:20 p.m., Taking Probiotics to the next level

Wednesday, Nov. 6:

• 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., FDA Food Defense Awareness Workshop

Other featured programming and events

• Sunday through Wednesday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Cooking demonstrations in the Ingredients, Seasonings & Flavorings Pavilion
• Tuesday, 8 a.m. – 5p.m. (until 4 p.m. Wednesday), Dairy Plant Food Safety Workshop (extra $495 Registration fee required)
•  Wednesday, 12 p.m.- 1 p.m., Closing Reception & Awards Presentations