With a focus on the theme “Tools for Dairy’s Progress,” World Dairy Expo staff members have carefully prepared a schedule of events for the five-day expo.
Attendees of the 53rd annual event can once again watch 2,400 cows and heifers grace the colored shavings in the dairy cattle show, visit with over 850 companies in the trade show and expand their knowledge with several educational opportunities such as expo seminars, virtual farm tours and dairy forage seminars.
World Dairy Expo staff members anticipate hosting 65,000 people during the event Oct. 1-5, in Madison, Wisconsin. The emphasis on sharing tools among those in attendance can be seen in the new aspects being launched this year. “A lot of the additions are coming in the attendee-feature side of World Dairy Expo,” Katie Schmitt, media relations specialist for World Dairy Expo, says. “Attendees can expect many great new opportunities at this year’s event.”
World Dairy Expo mobile event app
A new mobile event app was recently launched to help attendees and exhibitors plan their time at World Dairy Expo. A wide spectrum of activities and events available for attendees to partake in are featured on the app. Schmitt believes this will enhance attendee experience as a whole because the app was designed to focus and meet the needs of each individual.
“It allows users to customize their itineraries and actually schedule meetings with other people at the show,” Schmitt says. “We know there is a lot to see and do at the show, so attendees and exhibitors can use the app before the actual event to plan their time, structure their week and look at additional resources.”
Among the informational resources are expo seminars, virtual farm tours, dairy forage seminars and Knowledge Nook sessions (continue reading to learn more about these). There is also information about various banquets and receptions happening at the show and happy hour at the Tanbark.
Users of the app have expo information at their fingertips and can build their schedule, whether there for one day or all five. “The app is very user-friendly, customizable and unique for each person, and I think that is incredible,” Schmitt says. “You can really plan ahead to shape your time and individual experience.”
Not only is the app designed with attendees in mind, but Schmitt adds the app will also assist companies involved in the trade show with easy lead retrieval and post-show connections.
Anyone attending the expo is encouraged to visit the App Store or Google Play on their mobile device. Once there, type in “World Dairy Expo app,” and it should appear for download. Then each individual can use it to customize their World Dairy Expo experience.
Knowledge Nook sessions
A new addition to the educational experience of World Dairy Expo is the Knowledge Nook. This space is designed to showcase and introduce new products to attendees. Companies who have introduced an innovative product, service or research to the market in the past year have been invited to use the Knowledge Nook to highlight and share information about those new features in various sessions.
“This year, I’m really excited to see the launch of the Knowledge Nook sessions,” Schmitt says. “It’s been a hope of all of our staff to really highlight all of these innovative new products showcased at World Dairy Expo, and the introduction of the Knowledge Nook allows us to do that.” There are various other educational tools available to attendees, but the staff believes Knowledge Nook sessions will bolster the educational component of the show. Sessions will be located in the atrium of the Exhibition Hall and last 45 minutes.
Find a full schedule online (World Dairy Expo - Knowledge Nook Sessions).
Outdoor trade mall
Again with the attendee in mind, the outdoor trade mall has been reorganized. Food vendors have been shifted to the south end of the outdoor trade mall. The objective of this change is to free up more parking in the front east lot while helping with attendee flow through the space. Adding to efficiency, this brings the food vendors closer to the Exhibition Hall.
Additional enhancements
While the mobile app, Knowledge Nook and outdoor trade mall shift are the high-profile additions this year, there are a few new components being added to contests as well. Schmitt shares that there will be new youth awards added in the fitting and showmanship contests. She adds that attendees can also anticipate seeing reorganization in the judging contest too.
“We are also excited to host two high-profile guest speakers this year,” Schmitt says. Mark Tauscher, former Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer, will be the keynote speaker for FFA students on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Tauscher will share about his experience growing up on a dairy farm in northern Wisconsin and how that prepared him for his future with football and beyond.
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will also make a guest appearance on Friday, Oct. 4. He will be part of a special seminar on dairy exports. Schmitt says, “We are very excited for Mr. Vilsack to join us at World Dairy Expo as well.”
WDE: A well-rounded experience
“We have really focused on the attendee and the education side of World Dairy Expo,” Schmitt says. “We really want to make sure we are creating a well-rounded experience for everyone and sharing that it’s not just a dairy cattle show or just a trade show; it’s all of these incredible components in one place.” 
PHOTO 1: Improvements for the 53rd World Dairy Expo have been made with the attendee experience in mind. Photo by Trevor Olson Photography, courtesy of World Dairy Expo.
PHOTO 2: Exhibitors, companies and attendees are able to customize their daily schedule using the World Dairy Expo mobile app. Photo by Farmgirl Photography, courtesy of World Dairy Expo.
PHOTO 3: Knowledge Nook sessions will allow companies to showcase their latest products, services or research to attendees. Photo by Trevor Olson Photography, courtesy of World Dairy Expo.
