Driving Innovation at the 2024 PDP Business Conference.
Article and photos provided by Professional Dairy Producers.
In today’s fast-paced and evolving dairy industry it is critical for dairy producers to stay informed on the latest research, technologies, and industry and market trends. Research shows that successful dairy farmers understand the importance of continuing education. Further, consumers and key players all along the food chain are increasingly demanding it from the producers of their food.
The 2024 PDP Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) provides two days of networking and learning to equip dairy producers, industry professionals, students and others with cutting-edge information regarding their cows, team members and bottom line. This annual conference is one of many programs PDP has developed to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help individual dairy producers – and the entire dairy community – be Future Ready™.
Billed as dairy’s premier educational event, the conference will be held March 13-14, 2024, at Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The two-day conference features 54 sessions in multiple formats, with all sessions translated simultaneously into Spanish. In addition to producer panel discussions, university research previews and hands-on labs, the Hall of Ideas Equipment and Trade Show features learning sessions as well as premier dairy suppliers showcasing new technologies, insights and innovations. The Hall of Ideas also serves as the go-to gathering place for attendees to spend time together networking with speakers, vendors and other attendees.
“Whether you’re a forward-thinking dairy producer, a seasoned allied-industry professional, someone just entering the dairy sector, or a top researcher or educator, there’s no other place you can go to more proficiently spend two days away from your business to sharpen your skill set and refill your cup,” said Shelly Mayer, Slinger, Wis., dairy producer and PDP executive director.
The Nexus® stage will once again showcase five companies whose novel ideas, products and services offer innovative solutions to producers and agri-business professionals. Representatives from each company will give a 15-minute presentation followed by a professionally moderated question-and-answer segment for attendees to learn more.
In keeping with a primary objective of PDP – developing and encouraging incoming generations – two youth sessions geared specifically for 15 to 18-year-olds will focus on helping them discover and build their leadership and communications skills. This age group is also encouraged to attend as many other sessions as they can while at the conference. Full-time students qualify for a discounted rate.
All attendees will be able to earn and track continuing education credits for the sessions they attend through the Dairy AdvanCE accreditation program developed by PDP. Dairy AdvanCE allows subscribers to track completed courses from other education providers as well. The tracker features an online dashboard and functionality to create an official transcript on demand. Open to the public, Dairy AdvanCE is free for active dairy producers and students; allied industry professionals can participate with a $75 lifetime subscription.
Learn more about the 2024 Business Conference at www.pdpw.org/businessconference, including detailed agenda and program information in English and Spanish, speaker bios and registration information. Hotel information, including special block reservations at Kalahari Resorts through February 19, 2024, is also provided.
