More than 4,000 cheese industry leaders, suppliers, marketers and others are expected to gather April 14–16, 2020, at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee for CheeseExpo (formerly known as the International Cheese Technology Expo). There, they will share information about the latest in cheese technology, new products, whey opportunities, product safety, marketing and additional issues impacting the cheese industry.

Hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research, the event will feature its largest-ever exhibit hall. A record 600 booths and 317 industry supplier companies will showcase their goods and services in 200,000 square feet of floor space, the show’s organizers note.

Education a focus

CheeseExpo will also include more than 50 hours of seminar offerings focusing on issues ranging from the challenges and opportunities of global trade to best practices for high-quality, high-volume manufacturing.

“CheeseExpo’s seminar slate is designed to inform and inspire you and all of your valued employees,” says John Umhoefer, executive director for WCMA. “Whether you’re in quality assurance, sales or working at the vat, we have educational opportunities that will expand your skills and boost your business.”

In partnership with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and state departments of agriculture, CheeseExpo will feature these seminars:

• New Tools for Marketing Specialty Cheese and Dairy Ingredients Worldwide.
• Where Efficiency Meets Excellence: Maintaining Quality in Modern Manufacture.
• Change is Here: Milk Pricing and Milk Procurement.
• Messaging Dairy Sustainability to the Millennial Market.
• Dairy Manufacturer Panels: How We Made the World Our Customer.
• After the Make: The Role of Brines and Curing in Cheese Quality.
• New Findings and Guidance for Pathogen Control.
• Water Quality and Conservation in Dairy Processing.

Education will continue in the exhibit hall, show organizers say. On the Ideas Showcase stages, 28 companies will offer quick talks about how companies can increase efficiency and profitability.

“There’s no question: CheeseExpo 2020 offers more education, more networking opportunities and more fun than ever before,” says Judy Keller, WCMA’s events director.

A resource for job seekers

Interested students and other job seekers also may register free of charge to participate in the 2020 WCMA Job Fair, slated for April 14 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“Dairy processing is a dynamic, diverse career field, with tremendous opportunity for advancement,” says Rebekah Sweeney, WCMA communications, education and policy director. “We believe CheeseExpo is the perfect venue to show young people paths for growth in our industry.”

CheeseExpo also will be hosting the Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest and is working with organizers to invite student competitors from California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. WCMA said it is also inviting students from technical colleges and high schools across Wisconsin to help employers connect with skilled tradespeople and entry-level staff. Students interested in the dairy processing industry enjoy free registration to not only the WCMA Job Fair, but also CheeseExpo exhibits and receptions.

The WCMA Job Fair has capacity to showcase up to 20 employers, and space will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the job fair, visit https://www.wischeesemakersassn.org/events/wcma-job-fair-copy. To register for or learn more about the show, visit https://cheeseexpo.org.