Dairy Insights Summit Aims to Fortify Dairy Protein’s Momentum

Key focuses include the science behind dairy protein’s magic and turning opportunity into action.

Protein is capturing the attention of consumers, food companies and policy makers, creating new opportunities for dairy while raising important questions about what comes next. The 2026 PDP Dairy Insights Summit, presented by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP), will bring together leading voices from across the food system to explore the trends shaping protein demand and what it all means for dairy’s future – on the farm and in grocery stores.

Set for Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at the Madison Marriott South in Madison, Wis., this one-day event is an opportunity for dairy producers and industry professionals to hear directly from thought leaders and gain insights they can put to work in their businesses. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; the program runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The summit will feature three sessions focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping dairy’s position in an increasingly protein-focused marketplace:

• The business of protein: Explore the forces driving protein demand, changing consumer expectations and the competitive advantages dairy brings to the marketplace.
• Positioned to lead: Examine the research, innovation and strategic alliances with brands that are strengthening dairy’s position as a trusted, nutrient-dense protein source.
• From the farm: opportunity into action: Connect emerging market trends with on-farm practices, including tools that support genetic progress and component production as well as herd nutrition and management decisions that support long-term business success.

From understanding shifts in consumer demand to identifying opportunities on the farm, the summit will connect the broader protein conversation with practical considerations for dairy operations. Program presenters have expertise spanning food science, nutrition, dairy ingredients, global marketing, genetics, dairy nutrition and farm management. Speakers include:

• Kevin Ryan, PhD, founder and CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research
• Tom Benson, executive vice president of Actus Nutrition
• Tessa Nguyen, MEd, RD, culinary strategist and registered dietitian
• Rebecca MacKay Allen, senior vice president of global growth platforms and partnerships at Dairy Management Inc.
• Abby Korhonen, vice president of strategic intelligence at Dairy Management Inc.
• Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, PhD, executive director of genetics and innovation at Holstein Association USA
• Jacob Guenzler, dairy consultant with ProAGtive Dairy Nutrition
• Marlena Wagner, herd manager at Jagiello Dairy Farm

Dairy Insights Summit is accredited for up to 4.25 Dairy AdvanCE (DACE) continuing education credits. Learn more and register at www.pdpw.org or by contacting PDP at 800-947-7379. Follow along digitally in advance of and during the event by following @dairyPDPW on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) is the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.