Schedule of Events

Center for Dairy Research explores the amazing components of milk and how they are designed for human health. This session will review efforts to help improve the health and wellness profile of cheese.

MODERATOR

• Dr. Rani Govindasamy-Lucey, Distinguished Scientist, Center for Dairy Research

EXPERT SPEAKERS
 

• Dr. Daniela Barile, Professor and Chemist, Chancellor Fellow, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California Davis. 
  Oligosaccharides and Minor Proteins - Impact on Health and their Isolation from Dairy Streams.

 

• Dr. Joseph Pierre, Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison

 

• Dr. Rodrigo A. Ibáñez, Associate Scientist, Center for Dairy Research
  Enhancing the Bioactive Properties of Cheese

 

• John Larsen, Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Overview on Biogenic Amines in Cheese

Hosted by:

              

Location: Room S202

Center for Dairy Research presents the latest dairy research, from how to tailor make your products to optimize cheese functionality and performance, to performance of concentrated milks and anti-caking agents in finished products. This session will take a deep dive into the functionality of low moisture part skim mozzarella.

MODERATOR

• Dr. Rodrigo A. Ibáñez, Associate Scientist, Center for Dairy Research

EXPERT SPEAKERS

• Dean Sommer, Cheese & Food Technologist, Center for Dairy Research
  Challenges in Cheese Performance from Manufacturer and End User Points of View

 

• Varsha Swaminathan, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  Impact of Concentrated Milks and Calcium Status on Mozzarella Functionality

 

• Kelden Cook, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  Insights into Blister Formation and Browning on Pizzas

 

• Philip Eberly, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  Impact of Anti-Caking Agents for Shredded Cheese Performance

Hosted by:

 

    

Location: Room S103

Dairy students from across the United States gather at CheeseExpo to evaluate dairy products and vie for the title of Collegiate Champion.  Visit the action live on-site and catch a glimpse of the future of the dairy industry!

Location: Room S101

Center for Dairy Research invites you to discover how dairy could play a role in the emerging bioeconomy. In this session, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will help you discover new perspectives on the use of low-value dairy coproducts like permeate or acid whey. Learn about transforming whey into value-added materials and the potential for the production of products like bio-plastics and fermentation-derived chemicals.

MODERATOR

• Dr. John Lucey, Director, Professor of Food Science, Center for Dairy Research

EXPERT SPEAKERS

• Dr. Tim Donohue, Director, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterFermenting Your Whey to Lactic Acid Products

 

• Dr. Victor Ujor, Assistant Professor of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Replacing Fossil-Derived Chemicals by Fermentation of Dairy Co-Products

 

• Dr. Erica L-W Majumder, Assistant Professor of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Using Bacteria to Make Bioplastics from Acid Whey

 

• Dr. John Lucey
  Opportunities for Dairy Co-Products by Engaging in the Bioeconomy

Hosted by:

              

Location: Room S103

From Washington to Wisconsin, policymakers impact the growth of your dairy business. Join Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association for political prognostications from a leading national pollster, before considering alongside a panel of seasoned Capitol reporters what election-driven change could mean for our industry. Issue experts close our program with a deep dive into Federal Milk Marketing Order reform.

MODERATOR

• Rebekah Sweeney, Senior Director, Programs & Policy, WCMA

EXPERT SPEAKERS

• Dr. Charles Franklin, Director, Professor of Law and Public Poligy and Marquette Law School Poll
• Shawn Johnson, Capitol Bureau Chief, Wisconsin Public Radio
• JR Ross, Editor, WisPolitics.com
• Mike Brown, Chief Economist, International Dairy Foods Association
• Gregg Doud, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Milk Producers Federation

  Hosted by:

 

    

Location: Room S201

Continue exploring the sold-out exhibit floor for the latest in dairy technology including cutting-edge equipment, high-tech automation, advanced software, quality ingredients and more!

 

Location: Exhibit Hall, 3rd Level

Join Tetra Pak as they kick off 2024 CheeseExpo with an elegant reception open to all attendees.

Sponsored By:

Location: Room S102, 1st Level

A delicious complimentary lunch will be available as you explore the CheeseExpo Trade Show Floor.

Location: Exhibit Hall D Foyer, 3rd Level

Sustainability: The FrieslandCampina Story
Sumeet Mathur is Managing Director of FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy Americas. Following 14 years in strategic roles with Nestlé in India, Switzerland and Indonesia, Mr. Mathur has worked 14 years with the global dairy cooperative Royal FrieslandCampina of the Netherlands. 

Currently leading the FrieslandCampina business for North America and Latin America, Sumeet will share the Dutch cooperative’s learnings at the cutting edge of dairy sustainability.

SPEAKER

• Sumeet Mathur, Managing Director, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy Americas

Location: Ballroom, 1st Level

All attendees are invited to celebrate the achievements of industry greats. WCMA is proud to honor leaders who have built the U.S. cheese industry, featuring recipients of:

• WCMA Babcock Award
• WCMA Vanguard Award
• WCMA Luminary Award
• WCMA Distinguished Service Award
• WCMA Cheese Industry Champions
• WCMA Life Member Award

    

Location: Ballroom, 1st Level

Visit the sold-out exhibit floor for the latest in dairy technology including cutting-edge equipment, high-tech automation, advanced software, quality ingredients and more!

Location: Exhibit Hall, 3rd Level

Celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest winners and Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers! The Banquet is a night to remember for dairy craftsmen from around the world, and a must-attend event for anyone with a passion for the dairy industry.

 

    

Location: Ballroom, 1st Floor

Our trusted partners at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy have prepared a deep dive into food safety problem-solving and root cause analysis, paired with an update on the latest research into Listeria prevention.

OPENING PRESENTER & MODERATOR

• Tim Stubbs, SVP, Innovation Center for US Dairy
  Review of New Food Safety Resources 

EXPERT PANEL
Improving Your Food Safety Problem Solving, Root Cause Analysis, and CAPA Programs 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has increasingly sighted “failure to conduct a proper Root Cause Analysis” in their Form 483 warning letters. In this session, experts will review the elements of good RCA and CAPA including having proper escalation protocols in place. The panel will discuss the use of advanced tools for pathogen monitoring including Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and offer real-world case studies.

• Jeremy Travis, VP of Quality and Technical Services, Hilmar
• Erika Bognar, Director of Food Safety, Sargento Foods
• Gale Beard, Director of Operations, Food Safety & Quality, Grande Cheese Company

EXPERT SPEAKER

• Dr. Kristin Schill, Associate Scientist, Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin
  Update of Listeria Research Projects

Hosted by:

    

Location: Room S203

A delicious complimentary lunch will be available as you explore the CheeseExpo Trade Show Floor.
 

Location: Exhibit Hall D Foyer, 3rd Level

Millennials and Generation Z will soon comprise over 70 percent of the American workforce – and research shows they’re seeking inclusive workplaces and a sense of purpose. Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association invites you to join Jim Link, Chief Human Resources Officer for the Society for Human Resources Management, for a deep dive into the needs and wants of your essential team, and strategies to make the most of your ESG efforts, when it comes to workforce attraction and retention, too.

EXPERT SPEAKER

• Jim Link, Chief Human Resources Officer, Society for Human Resources Management

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

• Mathew Bartkowiak, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Development, Nelson-Jameson
• Allison Bolet Cafaro, Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Great Lakes Cheese Company
• Iassen Donov, GPHR, Associate Director, Talent Acquisition, Leprino Foods

Hosted by:

    

Location: Room S201

Dairy processors operate between the sustainability activities expected of dairy producers and the sustainability requirements of buyers and end users – while facing their own “must-do” metrics for a more green, lower carbon footprint. Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and Center for Dairy Research have gathered expert perspectives on activities along the dairy supply chain to reduce dairy’s impact on land, water and climate change, and maintain loyal customers into the next generation of consumers.

OPENING PRESENTER & MODERATOR

• Michel Wattiaux, PhD Professor of Dairy Systems Management, University of Wisconsin-Madison

EXPERT PANELISTS

• Shaina Ashare, Sr. Manager Member Relations Dairy – Sustainability and Member Services, Land O’ Lakes Inc.
• Kyle Jensen, Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Hilmar Cheese
• Josh Luth, Global Sustainability Lead, Schreiber Foods
• Sumeet Mathur, Managing Director, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy Americas
• Erica McDougall, Business Enablement & Sustainability Manager, Land O’ Lakes Inc.
• Shane Reynolds, SVP Commercial Operations, Milk Specialties Global

Hosted by:

               

Location: Room S202

Ever.Ag opens the Thursday evening festivities with a splendid gathering of global dairy processors enjoying the fellowship of their success in the World Championship Cheese Contest. 

 

    

Location: Ballroom Foyer, 1st Level

Location: Second Floor

Celebrate the winning teams and students from the 2024 Collegiate Dairy Products Evaluation Contest.

    

Location: Ballroom, 1st Level

Dairy’s next generation gathers for a fun evening of networking, hosted by WCMA's Young Professionals Group.  
Purchase ticket to attend.

    

Location: Drink Wisconsinbly Pub (320 W. Highland Ave., Milwaukee)

Novonesis hosts a highlight of CheeseExpo. Energetic and fun, this reception features the Auction of gold-medal winners from the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest. Enjoy plentiful appetizers, amazing fourth-place finishers from the Contest, and then grab a bidding paddle for the Championship Cheese Auction to support WCMA industry training programs, scholarships and strategic support for industry partners like CDR. Scholarship winners and training program graduates will be recognized on stage!

 

Location: Ballroom, 1st Level

Kick off Wednesday morning with generous continental breakfast courtesy of Amcor.

Location: Grand Ballroom Foyer, 1st Level

Relax with friends or dance the night away as Custom Fabricating & Repair hosts this special closing party for the 2024 CheeseExpo.



Location: Hilton Hotel Crystal Ballroom

Location: Second Floor

Location: Second Floor