ELMHURST, IL – On November 5 – 7, 2019, over 200+ attendees from 5 countries, and hailing from 23 States of the United States stretching “coast to coast” and “border and border”, came with a common interest in cheese (and whey) to the Global Cheese Technology Forum in Reno, NV. This biennial event, in addition to industry “subject matter expert” speakers, also included student speakers, poster presenters and attendees from 12 Universities across 3 different countries.
The event kicked off with a panel of senior leaders that included Jeff Saforek, COO for Agri-Mark/Cabot Cheese, Sheryl Meshke, Co-President and CEO of American Milk Producers, Inc., Mike Reidy, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Leprino Foods and Terry Brockman, President and COO of the US Cheese Division of Saputo. This panel, fondly referred to as “The Big Cheeses”, moderated by ADPI’s President & CEO – Blake Anderson, shared their perspectives on how our industry could overcome challenges in the cheese and whey industry and capture the opportunities that exist as we head into 2020. Following the panelist presentations, there was a robust audience Q&A session covering everything from innovation, global trade and geopolitical challenges, Alternative/Plant based cheese trends, processing developments, labor issues, industry marketing efforts related to cheese/whey, and sustainability, etc.
This year’s program also highlighted six major areas of interest as identified by the Forum’s organizing committee comprised of ADPI members and academic partners:
· Production and Quality of Cheese
· New Technologies in Cheese
· Recombined Fresh Cheeses
· Whey Processing, Products and Applications
· Artisan and Specialty Cheeses
· Innovations Driving Cheese Consumption and Research
ADPI wants to thank the Global Cheese Technology Forum sponsors for their generous support without which this event would not have been possible.
Undoubtedly, the Forum confirmed that the cheese (and whey) sector will be in for exciting times ahead in order to meet and exceed the ever changing consumer needs and expectations. So, be sure and mark your calendars and don’t miss out on the 6th Global Cheese Technology Forum to be held October 26 – 28, 2021 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, NV.
“What happened in Reno at the Global Cheese Technology Forum will benefit attendees for the rest of their lives” as this event was L3 approved by ADPI….. “Listen ~ Learn ~ Liaise”
