Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association

Grand Prize Giveaway

New this year, each day on the exhibit floor will close with a bang. The ICTE will give away a Panasonic 50" Plasma HD TV, with 1080p resolution and 10000:1 contrast ratio, at the close of the exhibit hours on both Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24. Dairy manufacturer attendees are eligible to win; eligible entrants must enter their name for the drawing. The winner from the drawing must be present to win. Cash option and runner-up prizes will also be available.

A Beneficial Auction

The Auction of Gold Medal Cheeses from the World Championship Cheese Contest is more than an incredible opportunity to own the best cheese in the world. The auction facilitates execution of the World Championship Cheese Contest and directly funds five, $2,000 scholarships awarded to top students prior to the bidding. In addition, the auction funds the Member Education Initiative at Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association which reimburses members that enroll their staff at workshops and short courses offered by the University of Wisconsin system.

WCMA Annual Meeting

New this year, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association will host our official Annual Meeting during the Danisco Luncheon on Thursday, April 24. Join WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer for Board member recognition, officer announcements, and an overview of WCMA activities. The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will adjourn at 1:00 p.m.

Event Schedule

Tuesday Evening, April 22

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception
Alliant Energy Center Atrium

One of the best networking events of the Expo will be even more exciting in 2008. This opening opportunity to meet your fellow attendees will feature education as well: expert chefs will pair an international array of cheeses with wines, craft beers, appetizers and desserts.

Wednesday, April 23

7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Registration Center Open

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

General Session: Advanced Cheese Marketing
Alliant Energy Center Mendota Meeting Rooms

The U.S. cheese industry has transformed the retail dairy case and deli in recent decades, but challenges remain in brand building, packaging, advertising and pricing as cheese varieties and styles expand. Speakers will address advanced marketing concepts and challenges as the cheese industry departs its commodity mindset.

Hosted by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.

8:30 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Rusty Bishop, Director, Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research and Mike Sipple, President, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association

Seminar Moderator

  • Dave Leonhardi, Director of Food Service and Education, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

8:40 -9:30 a.m.

Managing One of the Most Prized Brands in Sports

One of the oldest names in sports is also one of the most successful brands. From Curly Lambeau and Don Hutson to Brett Favre and Donald Driver, the Green Bay Packers have remained a revered franchise by fans worldwide. Hear what goes into managing and growing an iconic brand: The Green Bay Packers.

Speaker

  • Craig Benzel, Director of Marketing & Corporate Sales, Green Bay Packers

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Bringing the Right Product to Market: Cheese Marketer Challenges

Learn from cheese processors on the leading edge of advanced cheese marketing.

Panelists

  • Mark Schleitwiler, Vice President of Operations, Belgioioso Cheese Inc.
  • Tim Omer, President, DCI Cheese Inc.
  • Jed Davis, Director of Marketing, Cabot Creamery Cooperation

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

JohnsonDiversey Morning Break

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

What is the Right Product to Market? Buyer Perspectives

Industry buyers from foodservice, retail, specialty and industrial channels will address their needs from advanced cheese marketers. Cheesemakers will learn about programs, price points, package needs and promotions. The session will emphasize how to make sales meetings between cheesemakers and buyers productive and successful.

Panelists to Date

  • John Kesterke, Category Manager: Dairy and Appetizers, Gordon Food Service
  • Art Cone, Vice President, Supply Chain Management, Culver's Inc.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

DSM Food Specialties Luncheon

Join DSM Food Specialties USA for a complimentary lunch at the Alliant Energy Center.

12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Trade Exposition

The largest exposition in ICTE history features an international array of technologies, equipment, ingredient and services for dairy manufacturers and processors. Don't miss the Grand Prize Giveaway at 4:45 p.m. on the expo floor.

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Chr. Hansen & Ecolab Reception & World Championship Cheese Auction

Chr. Hansen and Ecolab team up to host an exciting evening of exotic and delicious cheeses from around the globe - a cheese festival not to be missed. The reception highlight: the auction of gold medal cheeses from the 2008 World Championship Cheese Contest.

Thursday, April 24

7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Registration Center Open

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

General Session: Advanced Whey Marketing
Alliant Energy Center Mendota Meeting Rooms

Advancing whey marketing may be the single greatest opportunity, and greatest need, in the U.S. dairy industry. Decisions to build or partner on whey production capacity demand market forecasts, product economics, product research and advanced marketing skills. This session emphasizes information on the market potential for dairy's stealthy star.

Hosted by Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association

Seminar Moderator

  • KJ Burrington, Coordinator Dairy Ingredients and Applications, Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research.

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Whey Market Potential & Price Outlook

The session begins with a forecast of market use and whey product prices into the near future.

Speaker

  • Jerry Dryer, Editor, Dairy & Food Market Analyst, and Chief Market Analyst, Rice Dairy LLC

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.

International Whey Markets Outlook

More than any other dairy product, whey is influenced by overseas demand. USDEC will explore the future demand for whey in the Pacific Rim and beyond.

Speaker

  • Annie Bienvenue, Director Ingredients Technical Support, U.S. Dairy Export Council

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Whey Market Economics/Paybacks

Seminar hosts are teaming up with industry partners to develop a model engineering template for a real-world whey processing facility. The model presented will clarify equipment costs, plant construction costs and return on investment.

Speaker

  • Matt Mathison, Vice President, Technical Services, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

JohnsonDiversey Morning Break

11:00 - 12:00 a.m.

End User Requirements

Buyers of whey for food, beverage and ingredient use have been invited to share their goals and requirements for quality whey products from the dairy industry.

Panelists

  • Jim Stalder, Ph.D., Assoc. Research Consultant, Frito Lay
  • Connie Cerdena, Research Fellow, Pepsico R&D Innovations Group
  • Tom Petka, Vice President & General Manager, Foods Department, Mitsubishi Corp.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Danisco Luncheon, WCMA Annual Meeting

Join Danisco Inc. for a complimentary lunch at the Alliant Energy Center. A highlight: The 117th official annual meeting of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.

12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Trade Exposition

The largest exposition in ICTE history features an international array of technologies, equipment, ingredient and services for dairy manufacturers and processors. Don't miss the Grand Prize Giveaway at 3:45 p.m. on the expo floor.

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Cargill World Championship Cheese Reception

Cargill hosts a reception featuring our special guests from around the world: the winning cheesemakers and buttermakers from the 2008 World Championship Cheese Contest.

6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

World Champions Awards Banquet

A celebration of excellence and fellowship. The banquet honors or winning cheesemakers and buttermakers from around the globe.