2025 Dairy Symposium and Annual Meeting
Grand Geneva Resort
July 14th and 15th
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 14th
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
7:00 Dinner
A hotel room block with room rates starting at $189.00 per night is open until June 20th. Code will be sent to you with your symposium registration.
There are a limited amount of complementary waterpark passes for registered WDPA member attendees (ticket available at registration).
Grand Geneva Spa also has availability still open for the 13th-15th
July 15th
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM – Breakfast & Networking
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, vote on proposed bylaw change, 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 (Retired, DFA)
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
Relax and enjoy a meal among friends, peers, and potential partners in a collaborative atmosphere.
1:15 PM – Closing Remarks
We have a block of rooms reserved at the Grand Geneva Resort. A link will be provided during your registration process. Please call Tammy Brereton, WDPA Director of Membership and Programs at (608)836-3336 or e-mail her at tammybrereton@wdpa.net with any questions.