Industry Meetings & Events

While the global dairy industry is meeting in Madison, the city is proud to host the National 4-H Dairy Conference in conjunction with World Dairy Expo.

Expo attendees can also benefit from a variety of special industry hosted seminars and meetings. Most of these events are free with Expo admission and offer an opportunity to meet and talk with fellow producers from down the road or around the globe.

For additional information about these events, please contact the hosting company. To locate these meeting spaces, download the WDE Mobile Event App.

The 2025 industry meetings and events are below! 

Career Connections
Hosted by: World Dairy Expo & National Dairy Shrine
Monday, September 29 in Atrium, Exhibition Hall

Looking for something new professionally or struggling with where to begin? Career Connections is your tool to connect with job and internship opportunities in the dairy industry! Through Careers Connections, high school and college students as well as young dairy professionals will connect with World Dairy Expo's commercial exhibitors, sponsors, Dairy Cattle Show exhibitors.

Registration information coming soon.

National Dairy Shrine Reception and Awards Banquet
Hosted by: National Dairy Shrine
Monday, September 29 in Mendota 1-4, Exhibition Hall from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The annual awards banquet highlights the past, present and future of the dairy world. Students receive numerous scholarships, current dairy leaders are honored for their success and prominent dairy leaders are honored for their lifetime of work by their election into the National Dairy Hall of Fame. 

*Ticket Required. Order tickets here.

OZOLEA Non-Antibiotic Strategy to Manage Udder Health Issues: A Keystone of Milk Production
Hosted by: OZOLEA Rete Agricola
Wednesday, October 1 in Mendota 3, Exhibition Hall. 11:30 a.m.

Based on non-chemical action and early intervention, OZOLEA's strategy for managing udder issues in dairy cattle aims to restore tissue functionality and integrity at the udder level. The benefits of this approach include improved milk production in both the short and long term. Prof. Bradley J. Heins (University of Minnesota) will relate to previous research and present new insights on the implementation of OZOLEA's protocol for early signs of possible mastitis cases in a US dairy system, considering the effects on milk production. 

Speakers include Bradley J. Heins, Extension Specialist and Dairy Management Professor at the University of Minnesota and Elisa Tavilli, Communications Specialist at OZOLEA Rete Agricola.

Introducing MilkGenius
Hosted by: BouMatic
Wednesday, October 1 in Waubesa, Exhibition Hall. 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 

BouMatic is introducing MilkGenius, an in-line milk analyzer. This advanced sensor integrates seamlessly with the Gemini milk robot or BouMatic milking system. It functions like a miniature laboratory, measuring milk composition for each cow in real time. Using an ultra-precise laser sensor, it continuously analyzes fat, protein, and lactose as milk flows through the system. These are the most important data on your milk quality since milk check payments depend on fat and protein.

Steve Pretz, President of BouMatic
Steve has spent most of his 30+ year career working in the Dairy Industry, starting as a trainee with Babson Brothers Co in 1986 which led to managing and developing some of the largest dairy projects around the world. He played integral roles at both GEA and with Pro Refrigeration before joining BouMatic in 2021.

Dominykas Vizbaras
Founded Brolis Timber Ltd. in 2007 where he was acting as a director until 2011. Dominykas holds a bachelor in transport engineering from Klaipeda University, Lithuania, and a MSc in transport and maritime management from Antwerp University, Belgium.

Beyond the Barn: How U.S. Dairy Genetics Leads the World
Hosted by: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Thursday, October 2 in Mendota 3, Exhibition Hall. 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP); National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB); and Livestock Exporters Association (LEA) are collaborating to bring World Dairy Expo attendees the first ever US genetics focused event. Beyond the Barn: How U.S. Dairy Genetics Leads the World. Will provide speakers and panelists from multiple sectors creating a global forum on Genetics, Health, and Trade. Details on Speakers will be released closer to the event.

• Topic 1: Doing Business with Americans
• Topic 2: Strength of U.S. Animal Health Programs
• Topic 3: The U.S. Advantage: Genetics Powered by Diverse Environments
• Topic 4: Sharpening the U.S. Genetic Edge: What Dairy Can Learn from Others

Interested attendees can preregister here: https://forms.office.com/g/xL5jx3XJJK

Progressive Farmer Panel: Innovation, Strategy and the Future of Dairy Farming
Hosted by: National Young Cooperators Program
Thursday, October 2 in Mendota 2, Exhibition Hall. 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Join NMPF’s National Young Cooperators Program for a panel discussion featuring leading dairy farmers from across the country as they share how they’re confronting today’s challenges and positioning their farms for long-term success. From business development and on-farm innovation to sustainability, workforce strategy and emerging market opportunities, these forward-thinking producers will offer a candid look at how they manage risk, pursue growth and build resilience in an ever-changing industry. Gain valuable insight into what drives these progressive farmers—how they spend their time, where they focus their efforts, the philosophies behind their decisions and how they’re shaping the future for their farms, families and communities.

Emerging Diseases in Dairy Cattle
Hosted by: National Dairy FARM Program
Thursday, October 2 in Mendota 2, Exhibition Hall. 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join the National Dairy FARM Program for a panel discussion exploring emerging diseases in dairy cattle. Hear from leading animal health experts as they provide insight and updates on current outbreaks such as H5N1, New World screwworm, and Foot & Mouth Disease. Learn best practices about on-farm biosecurity and measures you can take to keep cows safe.

Dairy Policy in the Trump Era: The First 250 Days
Hosted by: National Milk Producers Federation
Thursday, October 2 in Mendota 2, Exhibition Hall. 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a panel discussion featuring key voices in federal dairy policy as we explore how the Trump Administration’s first 250 days are reshaping the U.S. dairy landscape. From regulatory rollbacks to critical issues around ag labor, trade and the push to bring back whole milk, this conversation will examine what’s changed and what’s still on the horizon. Panelists including a dairy farmer, a cooperative leader and the CEO of the nation’s leading dairy advocacy organization will dive into the Trump Administration’s approach to food and agriculture policy and highlight its implications for the entire dairy supply chain.