Educational programming slated for cheese industry conference

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and Center for Dairy Research recently announced partnerships with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and the U.S. Dairy Export Council to deliver more educational programming than ever before at the 2019 Cheese Industry Conference, April 17-18 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

2019 seminar topics will focus on five main topics, including business development and workforce retention, global cheese sales, food safety, quality cheesemaking, and new industry technology and design practices. Complete details and registration information are available now at CheeseConference.org.

“In partnership with our industry’s brightest minds and most impactful organizations, the 2019 Cheese Industry Conference will offer seminars of interest for everyone from the marketer to the maintenance technician, and from the artisan cheesemaker to the quality assurance manager,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director.

On April 17, the conference begins with a keynote address delivered by Chris McChesney, co-author of the best-selling book, “The 4 Disciplines of Execution,” and general manager of FranklinCovey, a global consultancy for strategic business execution. McChesney will focus on tools for employee retention and motivation.

Following the keynote, CIC offers three concurrent seminars: “Dry Dairy Foods Safety Panel and Best Practices,” offered by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy; “Quality Swiss Cheese Production,” offered by CDR; and “Essential Principles of Cheesemaking,” also offered by CDR.

On April 18, 11 seminars will be featured. WCMA and CDR will also co-present on “Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and the Industrial Internet.”

That afternoon, attendees can also enjoy their choice of interactive workshops, with CDR presenting private “Ask the Cheese Expert” sessions for a limited number of participants and WCMA offering a Cheese and Butter grading clinic for all.