Throughout its history, World Dairy Expo (WDE) has been proud to welcome a few thousand international guests to Madison, Wisconsin, each year as the meeting place for global dairy industry enthusiasts. While only a small fraction of these guests attended WDE in 2021 due to travel restrictions, this year is expected to renew the multinational presence the event is known (and named) for. Ready to welcome these guests back to one of the best-known dairy cattle shows in the world is Berta Hansen.
Hansen volunteers as lead interpreter for the WDE registration desk, with duties of greeting international visitors, sharing the different events that occur throughout the event and serving as an ambassador for the state of Wisconsin and the dairy industry. Hansen has been volunteering in this role since the 1980s, as her schedule allows, and is thankful to meet the needs of international guests.
“Someone told me about this years ago, and since I am a bilingual Spanish-speaker, I decided to try it despite the fact that I had no agricultural knowledge whatsoever,” Hansen says. “I haven’t regretted it since.”
Born in Mexico, Hansen came to the U.S. when she was 3 years old. In every job Hansen has had, she has put her Spanish-speaking skills to use. She currently works full time as a bilingual administrative legal assistant for the Dane County district attorney’s office. Outside of her career and volunteering at WDE, Hansen teaches water aerobics and tends to her three rescue dogs.
Hansen enjoys assisting international guests at World Dairy Expo and making visitors to the event feel welcome. Photo courtesy of World Dairy ExpoProblem solving and answering questions from guests is all part of the great work Hansen and her team of interpreters complete during WDE. From the moment guests approach the team, a smile and willingness to assist people with their needs is a top priority. According to Hansen, “I don’t know” is not in the team’s vocabulary.
“If we don’t readily know the answer, we point people in the right direction or find the answer,” Hansen says. “I need to be able to adequately serve the represented countries in the best possible way by providing excellent and talented interpreters.”
For Hansen, her work as a WDE volunteer is meaningful because of the ability to help others. She feels fortunate to have a group of talented, passionate and intelligent interpreters who share the same values of supporting international guests and visitors who are not as familiar with the event or expo grounds. Hansen also credits WDE staff members, who are always supportive of her team’s efforts.
Hansen helps guests at the International Registration Desk during the 2012 World Dairy Expo. Photos courtesy of World Dairy Ex
The international component of WDE is important to the event, as it allows for communication around the globe and unique learning experiences not offered elsewhere in the industry. WDE received a 2022 Export Expansion Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to relocate and enhance the International Lounge at the event, continue the International Reception and participate in foreign agricultural trade shows. With opportunities such as these, Hansen says welcoming international visitors to WDE allow for common goals to be set across the industry when it comes to producing quality products in an efficient manner.
“With social media and the speed in which we can communicate globally, our partners all over the world are able to share techniques, technology and opportunities like never before,” Hansen says. “The international component is so important because we learn from others as others learn from us, and there is always something we can take away from every encounter."
Hansen has enjoyed the chance to learn more about the dairy industry and meet dairy producers while being inspired by their resiliency during WDE each year.
“I enjoy working with World Dairy Expo as I learn about the dairy industry and appreciate how farmers and their families contribute greatly to Wisconsin and to my own livelihood,” Hansen says. “I enjoy meeting people from all over, and each year I have a greater appreciation of the contribution farmers make to our world.”
For this year’s event, Hansen is excited to welcome back guests to Madison after a few turbulent years.
“This year, especially after COVID, I am especially excited about getting our expo and visitors back to a semblance of normalcy,” Hansen says. “I am excited to see familiar faces as well as welcome new ones.”
As for why Hansen continues to volunteer at WDE, the answer is simple: the people.
“I couldn’t fathom not doing this every year. I am fortunate that I have a wonderful group of people working with me who make volunteering at World Dairy Expo fun,” Hansen says. “The experience of meeting people along the way is priceless.”
