Industry Meetings & Events

While the global dairy industry is meeting in Madison, the city is proud to host the National 4-H Dairy Conference in conjunction with World Dairy Expo.

Expo attendees can also benefit from a variety of special industry hosted seminars and meetings. Most of these events are free with Expo admission and offer an opportunity to meet and talk with fellow producers from down the road or around the globe.

For additional information about these events, please contact the hosting company. To locate these meeting spaces, download the WDE Mobile Event App.

The 2026 industry meetings and events are below! 

Career Connections
Hosted by: World Dairy Expo & National Dairy Shrine
Monday, September 28 in Atrium, Exhibition Hall

Looking for something new professionally or struggling with where to begin? Career Connections is your tool to connect with job and internship opportunities in the dairy industry! Through Careers Connections, high school and college students as well as young dairy professionals will connect with World Dairy Expo's commercial exhibitors, sponsors, Dairy Cattle Show exhibitors.

Registration information coming soon.

National Dairy Shrine Reception and Awards Banquet
Hosted by: National Dairy Shrine
Monday, September 28 in Mendota 1-4, Exhibition Hall from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The annual awards banquet highlights the past, present and future of the dairy world. Students receive numerous scholarships, current dairy leaders are honored for their success and prominent dairy leaders are honored for their lifetime of work by their election into the National Dairy Hall of Fame. 

*Ticket Required. Order tickets here.

A No-Withdrawal Strategy for Udder Health throughout Lactation: Data from a US Dairy
Hosted by: OZOLEA Rete Agricola
Wednesday, September 30 in Mendota 3, Exhibition Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

One of the most frequently asked questions on OZOLEA's strategy for udder health is about when to apply it. The answer is: from early postpartum to drying off. There is a deluge of situations for the mammary epithelial tissue requiring a physical support for restored self-defence and production. This year, after introducing the key highlights on OZOLEA-MAST, Prof. Heins of University of Minnesota will show the benefits of intervention with OZOLEA in early lactation. 

International Buyers Workshop
Hosted by: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Thursday, October 1 in Mendota 3, Exhibition Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Are you an international guest looking to find a source of high-quality U.S. genetics? Then this event is for you! We will be hosting a matchmaking session with high-quality U.S. Cattle, Semen, and embryo suppliers. You will be matched with the appropriate supplier and have a short meeting to learn more about their products, and how they could better fulfill your needs. Sign-up is required to complete the matchmaking process. 

Registration Info and Sign-Up: https://forms.office.com/g/JKX7ebJWpZ

Optimizing Milk to Meet Market Demand
Hosted by: National Young Cooperators Program
Thursday, October 1 in Mendota 4, Exhibition Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Join the National Young Cooperators Program for a session on how dairy farmers are optimizing milk production to meet evolving market demands. As cooperatives and processors place greater value on components like butterfat, protein and other solids, producers must balance herd genetics, nutrition and management to stay competitive. A panel of experts in economics, genetics, nutrition and dairy production will explore strategies to improve profitability, enhance component output and respond to market signals more effectively.

Election Preview: How Shifts in Washington Could Reshape Dairy Policy
Hosted by: National Milk Producers Federation
Thursday, October 1 in Mendota 4, Exhibition Hall from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

As the November elections approach, this session will examine key races and their potential impact on federal dairy policy. It will also explore how shifts in Congress could reshape the policy landscape for dairy farmers and how advocacy strategies, coalition-building and messaging may need to evolve in response to post-election dynamics.