The Milk and Cultured Dairy Products Conference, held in the Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis hotel, will show dairy product professionals the recent developments in the milk and cultured dairy foods and explain the science behind them. It also will cover new ingredients, processing technology and packaging.

Giving the welcoming address is IDFA’s John Allan, the vice president of regulatory affairs & international standards. Later in the day, he will review the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments 2015 Report and changes in the pasteurized milk ordinance.

Jeremy Schellin, an associate marketing manager at General Mills/Yoplait, will talk about “Taking your Marketing Program to the Next Level.”

Technical sessions on the first day are titled “What’s New in Milk Nutrition and Bioavailability,” “Rapid Detection of Yeast and Mold in Yogurt,” “On-Line Measurement of Protein, Fat, Lactose and Solids,” “Factors Affecting Culture Performance and Final Yogurt Quality” and “Strategies for Controlling Biofilms in the Dairy Environment.”

Second day presentations are “Limiting Food Waste: Another Big Step Toward Sustainability,” “FDA’s Nutrition Labeling Regulations: What’s Over the Horizon,” “Stevia in Dairy Products: Challenges and Opportunities,” “Advances in Ultraviolet Water Sterilization” and “Cleaning Up Your Ingredients Statement to Drive Sales.”

During the conference, Genevieve Poirier-Richards, the senior vice president of marketing for the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), will offer a progress report on the group’s Milk Life marketing campaign.

Attendees are invited to judge IDFA’s Innovative Product Contest. The IDFA also invites attendees to submit an entry from their company. Awards will be given for the most innovative cultured dairy product (including yogurt, cultured milk, cottage cheese and dip) and for the most innovative milk or cultured dairy prototype flavor. Dairy Foods is sponsoring this contest and will be presenting the awards.

Addition to the dairy show

IDFA Trade Show Director Robin Cornelison said the Partner Pavilion at the International Dairy Show “is ideal for companies that do not wish to display large equipment or supplies and simply want to conduct business face-to-face while marketing their services at the International Dairy Show.”

The Pavilion will offer turnkey exhibit space which includes customizable kiosks and access to an on-floor private meeting room and lounge within the pavilion.

 The International Dairy Show is co-located with the Food Processing Suppliers Association’s Process Expo and NürnbergMesse’s InterBev Process. Combined, the three shows will have more than 300,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring nearly 1,000 industry suppliers. The expected attendance is 20,000 food, dairy and beverage professionals.