The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), in partnership with the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will host thousands of cheese industry leaders, suppliers, and marketers at CheeseExpo 2022 in Milwaukee April 12-14.

As the largest dairy processing trade exhibition in the Western Hemisphere, CheeseExpo features the latest in cheese technology, equipment, ingredients, packaging, and product safety, Madison, Wis.-based WCMA says. The world-class event offers a wide variety of opportunities attendees won't find elsewhere, ranging from 200,000 square feet of technical exhibits and multiple networking events to in-depth educational seminars and more.

“CheeseExpo combines high-quality technical exhibits, engaging educational seminars, and valuable networking time into one unique event that attendees won’t find anywhere else,” says WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “We’re looking forward to an outstanding event in 2022, so make your plans today to participate.”

More seminars and workshops

Larger than ever before, CheeseExpo 2022 will feature more industry education seminars and workshops to match a record number of exhibits for dairy processors, WCMA notes. The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) will add their expertise to the seminar lineup on the mornings of April 13 and 14, followed by afternoons to explore more than 600 exhibits of dairy processing and packaging equipment, automation, ingredients, software, and services.

Krysta Harden, president, and CEO of USDEC, will moderate the Relco Opening Keynote session on April 13. She will lead a panel of industry executives exploring opportunities for U.S. dairy processors to advance international sales and sustainability efforts.

Four breakout education sessions will follow, WCMA says, including a cheese and whey export seminar with USDEC staff. DFW will examine domestic opportunities for value-added cheese sales, and CDR will unveil “hot topics” in dairy research — five recently-completed cheese research projects. Finally, the popular “artisan track” will focus on value-added cheese production and advanced technology available in the new CDR building on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus.

April 14 will open with a celebration: the WCMA Recognition Breakfast exclusively sponsored by DSM Food Specialties, WCMA says. The Wisconsin Center Banquet Hall will fill as attendees seek to applaud industry leaders for outstanding careers, including the WCMA Distinguished Service Award for supplier partners, WCMA Cheese Industry Champion for dairy leaders, WCMA Babcock Award for top educators, WCMA Vanguard Award for innovative cheesemakers, WCMA Life Member Award for service to the association and its members, and a new honor, the WCMA Luminary Award for sales and marketing leaders.

Four educational opportunities will follow the WCMA Recognition Breakfast. The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy will partner with CDR to discuss dairy product safety and sanitation, including a talk and panel on establishing a food safety culture in the dairy plant. WCMA says it will focus on a key concern among processors: recruiting and retaining an effective workforce. CDR plans a “hot topics” session on cheese quality, including brine management, phage monitoring and control, and flavor defects in cheddar cheese. Finally, hosts at WCMA and CDR will team up for a workshop on creating an effective cheese grading program at manufacturing sites.

And much more

CheeseExpo has even more to offer than the technical exhibits, seminars, and workshops. The event will kick off with the elegant Tetra Pak Welcome Reception on the evening of April 12, WCMA says. Also on April 13, dairy students from colleges across the United States will compete for top honors in assessing several dairy product categories in the Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest.

And the Chr. Hansen Reception & Championship Cheese Auction will take place the evening of April 13. Energetic and fun, this reception features the auction of gold-medal cheeses, butters, and more from the 2022 World Championship Cheese Contest, WCMA says.

For more information or to register for CheeseExpo, visit https://cheeseexpo.org.