While the full program continues to come together, the Dairy Business Association is excited to welcome attendees back for its signature event – the Dairy Strong conference. For nearly a decade, Dairy Strong has served as one of the premier gatherings of forward-thinking dairy farmers and the professionals that support them. This year’s event will be held Jan. 18-19 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin.
At its core, Dairy Strong is so much more than a conference. It’s grabbing a coffee and hearing from inspiring business leaders. It’s reconnecting with old friends over a drink and sharing stories from the farm. Most importantly, Dairy Strong is a chance for our community to come together and celebrate.
This year, the event not only has a fresh look, complete with a new logo, but will also feature a central theme: “Local presence, global reach.” Local presence means the integral role our farmers take as leaders within their communities, as innovators and environmental stewards and in promoting the positive effect farms have at the local level.
Global reach highlights the important role dairy plays on the national and global levels. To move forward, dairy must increase product sales, embrace innovation and expand awareness beyond our local communities.
“Dairy Strong aims to host a program that features innovative and inspiring speakers,” says Amy Penterman, DBA president. “It allows our farmers, processors and the many others who support us to collaborate on how to build a stronger food system.”
The event will feature keynote speakers including:
- Terry Jones is best known for founding Travelocity.com and serving as the founding chairman of Kayak.com. Jones has become a powerful voice in the world of entrepreneurship. As a speaker, author, venture capitalist and board member, Jones has been helping companies use the tools and techniques he has developed to keep up with a rapidly changing world.
- Lt. Col. Scott Mann is a retired lieutenant colonel, former U.S. Army Green Beret and leadership expert. He grabbed headlines when leading “Pineapple Express” – a grassroots leadership campaign using Rooftop Human Connection Skills to save more than 1,000 Afghans during America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Following his military service, Mann founded Rooftop Leadership, a professional training and coaching program.
- David Wasserman is the senior election analyst for the non-partisan newsletter The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, and a contributor to NBC News. Founded in 1984, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter provides analyses of presidential, congressional and gubernatorial races. Wasserman analyzes the political environment, the relationship between co
nsumer brand loyalty and voting, and what the future holds for American elections.
The conference will once again feature a trade show but with a few new twists this year, including a themed coffee shop, “The Local,” the After Chores game room and the Recharge lounge. The Innovation Stage and numerous breakout sessions will showcase new products, research and practices from across the country. The Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers Reception will be back, and Jan. 18 will feature the announcement of DBA’s 2022 Advocate of the Year.
For more information, a full schedule and sponsorship opportunities, visit the Dairy Strong website.
