2025 Dairy Symposium and Annual Meeting

WDPA Annual Meeting & Summer Symposium
July 14–15, 2025 • Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI

Join us for this year’s meeting where processors, suppliers, and industry leaders gather for two days of networking, collaboration, insight, and inspiration—all focused on strengthening Wisconsin’s dairy future.

Our theme this year is Dairy Leadership 2025: Advancing Culture, Safeguarding Standards, Leading Change. With expert panels on food safety, workforce leadership, and genetic dairy innovation, this event will equip you with the tools to lead confidently into tomorrow.

July 14^th

9:00 Golf Registration Open

10:00 a.m. Golf Tournament Shotgun Start on the Highlands Golf Course

3:00 Hotel Check in

5:15 Reception (Chalet) Bar

7:00 Dinner (Chalet)

July 15th

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM – Breakfast & Networking (Evergreen Conference Room)

Start the morning with fresh coffee, great food, and a chance to connect with industry colleagues before we dive in.

8:15 AM – 8:30 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

Hear from WDPA leadership, Jeremy Nickelotti, WDPA President of the Board & Amy Winters, WDPA Executive Director,
 as we kick off a powerful day built around connection, insight, and shared success.

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Annual Meeting & Recognition

Get up to speed with WDPA governance, meet your board, and join us in honoring this year’s President’s Award recipient—someone who has exemplified the best of our industry and been an integral part of WDPA and its mission.

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM – The 2025 Dairy Economy Outlook With Stephen Cain – National Milk Producers Federation

Stephen Cain brings timely insight into the key economic forces shaping dairy today. From domestic margins to global trade, Stephen will break down what’s moving the market—and what processors should be watching in the year ahead.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM – Panel: Protecting the Brand – Best Practices in Food Safety & Vendor Management

What’s your brand worth—and how are you protecting it? Learn how top companies manage risk, build a safety-first culture, and ensure quality at every link in the supply chain.

Panelists:
- Justin Larsen (Mars Wrigley)
- Jay Ellingson (Kwik Trip)
- Dr. Rob Byrne (President, Rob Byrne Consulting)

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Morning Break

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM – Culture as a Competitive Advantage

An energized culture isn’t a perk—it’s a strategy. This session dives into how culture drives performance and keeps teams aligned through change and challenge.

10:45 – 11:10 AM – Building Great Culture – Ben Leibl, Kwik Trip
Explore how Kwik Trip creates a work environment that fosters loyalty, growth, and operational success.

11:10 – 11:45 AM – Values-Driven Leadership Transformation – Fred Johnson, InitiativeOne
Discover how leaders can set a tone of accountability, inspiration, and resilience—turning values into real organizational impact.

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Interactive Q&A

Dig into the panel’s key themes and leave with ideas you can put into action immediately. From insights to implementation—ask the questions that move your business forward.

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM – Lunch & Networking (Please let us know if you will not be staying for lunch)

Relax and enjoy a meal among friends, peers, and potential partners in a collaborative atmosphere.

1:15 PM – Closing Remarks

Looking forward to seeing you soon!