The American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) and the American Butter Institute (ABI) co-hosted yet again another successful conference with outstanding speakers, great attendance and plenty of networking opportunities. This year’s conference attracted close to 700 manufacturers, marketers and suppliers of manufactured dairy products from 14 different countries, as all gathered to hear prominent industry figures discuss the state of the dairy industry and to network at the unique yearly conference “where the dairy industry does business.”
The conference began on Monday morning, April 30th with a panel discussion on “A Look at Who’s Behind the Wheel – The Economic Drivers in the Dairy Industry for 2012.” Led by Moderator Mary Ledman of Keough Ledman Associates, the panelists included industry economists and experts, Tim Hunt, Dairy Global Strategist at Rabobank International; Stephen S. Nicholson, a Chief Economist at the International Food Products Corporation; Meteorologist Mark Russo from Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
Following a quick coffee break sponsored by Dairy Farmers of America, the group reconvened for an excellent discussion on “What’s in the Future for Dairy Ingredients.” Polly Olson, Vice President of New Business Development, Sales and Marketing with Davisco Foods International and Chris Snyder, President and CEO of Proliant Dairy Ingredients shared with the group what their companies were focusing on regarding dairy products in the future, which Gustavo Acosta, Global Category Manager for Abbott Nutrition shared what his company may be looking to purchase in the way of dairy products in the future.
During the Recognition Luncheon, sponsored by Davisco Foods International, Inc., ADPI was pleased to recognize the 2012 Award of Merit recipient, Joseph A. O’Donnell. ADPI Affiliate Member, M. Jane Carlisle of United International Industries, Inc., described Mr. O’Donnell’s very diverse career which has ranged from research and academia to almost every aspect of the dairy industry. He has worked in Research and Development for both the Quaker Oats Company and Kraft Foods, as well as managed the Dairy Research Foundation at the United Dairy Industry Association and served as the Director of Science and Technology at the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Mr. O’Donnell retired in 2011 from the California Dairy Research Foundation, an organization where he had served as the first Executive Director in 1990.
Dave Thomas, ADPI CEO, presented the fourth Annual Jim Page Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was created in memory of James J. Page, who enjoyed a distinguished marketing career in the dairy industry and demonstrated exceptional leadership skills while serving as the CEO of ADPI from 2002 through 2008.
The 2012 scholarship recipient, Michelle Hastings, is a part-time employee at Leprino Foods within their demand planning and strategic analysis department. Michelle is also a full-time student pursuing a double major in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
ADPI President Greg Dryer also took the time during the luncheon to make a special presentation to Dr. Lee Blakely for going “above and beyond” the call of duty to provide guidance and leadership to ADPI during their search for a new CEO in addition to serving as the chairman for the highly successful International Whey Conference.
The day ended with an industry breakout session focused on “Overseas and Beyond.” Moderator Tom Suber, President of the U.S. Dairy Export Council led presenters, Clinton Anderson, a partner at Bain & Company, Andrei Mikhalevsky, CEO of California Dairies, Inc., Shawna Morris, Vice President of Trade Policy from National Milk Producers Federation and John Stanton, a professor and chairman of the Food Marketing Department at St. John’s University in their discussion on the global dairy industry outlook.
Meeting attendees then had an unparalleled opportunity to network with representatives from throughout the domestic and international dairy industry during a reception, sponsored by the ADPI Affiliate Members.
The following morning, conference attendees were given insights into a researcher’s perspective of the value of research in the dairy industry by Dr Rafael Jimenez-Flores, professor in dairy science at California Polytechnic State University. The Dairy Industry Breakfast program was sponsored by Dairy Foods, O-AT-KA Milk Products Coop., Inc. and United International Industries, Inc.
The final general session of the conference offered an exceptional line-up of speakers, including: Richard Sellers from the American Feed Industry Association; Diane Lewis with USDA/AMS; A. Kent Keller of Keller Technologies, Inc. and Richard Mann, Keller and Heckman LLP. Dan Meyer, Technical Director of ADPI moderated discussions covering hot industry topics including the legislative and regulatory issues impacting the feed industry, the new EU health certification program, a Washington legal update and processing by-products into valuable ingredients.
Tuesday Industry Luncheon sponsored by Leprino Foods, featured an outstanding presentation from Mr. Tim McIntyre, Vice President of Communications with Domino’s® Pizza.
The conference came to a close on Tuesday evening as the Customer Appreciation Reception, sponsored by Cheese Market News, Hilmar Ingredients, Darigold, Inc., Land O’Lakes, Inc., Hoogwegt US, and Saputo Cheese USA, Inc., allowed attendees another opportunity to network with dairy industry leaders, while sampling a vast variety of cheese including award-winning cheeses donated by Rice Dairy and MCT Dairies, Inc.
As is traditional at the Annual Conference, outside of the organized programs there were a multitude of private business meetings and brisk activity in the corridors and hotel suites, as senior dairy executives and their corporate teams “met with everyone they needed to see” including customers, suppliers and other key dairy industry contacts. Further networking opportunities were provided at the Conference’s Exhibit Hall which featured displays from approximately 30 exhibitors and afternoon social hours sponsored by Associated Milk Producers, Inc.; Keller and Heckman, LLP; Great Lakes Cheese and International Ingredient Corporation.
Start planning now for the 2013 ADPI / ABI Annual Conference which will be held April 28 – 30, 2013, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown in Chicago, IL.