Agenda

DairyTech 2024’s agenda is designed to help all attendees quickly understand the impact that technology is having throughout the industry.

Day 1 – Wednesday, October 23

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11:30am - 3:00pm

Optional Tour

Shamrock Foods Colorado Distribution Center Tour

Shamrock Foods is the largest independent foodservice distributor in the West and top five in the United States,serving restaurant, healthcare, hospitality, and institutional customers. The company recently opened a semi-automated foodservice distribution facility in Aurora, Colorado that offers best-in-class service and operational efficiencies to support future growth. For early arrivals to Dairy Tech, Shamrock Foods is hosting a tour of its 900,000 sq. ft. distribution facility.

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3:30pm – 4:00pm

Opening Session

Scott Sexton

Scott Sexton

CEO, Ever.Ag

Michael Dykes

Michael Dykes

President and CEO, IDFA

2024 has been an exciting year for the dairy industry and key technologies like AI are quickly shaping our business strategy. Join us for an insightful session where industry leaders, Scott Sexton and Michael Dykes, will share their perspectives, learnings, and thoughts
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4:00pm – 5:30pm

Keynote

Tom Edwards

Tom Edwards

Managing Director, AI

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6:00pm – 6:30pm

Welcome Reception

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6:30pm – 8:00pm

Dinner Sponsored by Infor

Day 2 – Thursday, October 24

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7:00am – 8:00am

Networking Breakfast

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8:00am

Kick Off the Day

Tom Wojno

Tom Wojno

COO, IDFA

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8:05am – 9:00am

How to Leverage AI Within Dairy Processing

Jared Helenic

Jared Helenic

Sr. Account Manager – AI & Technology Platform, Infor

Jason Mischel

Jason Mischel

VP of Sales and Milk Procurement at Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.

Blake Tangen

Blake Tangen

Director of Supply Chain & Risk Management at First District Association

This session will explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing dairy processing plants. Experts will discuss AI-driven solutions for quality control, production optimization, predictive maintenance, and automation of processes such as pasteurization and homogenization. Case studies will showcase the tangible benefits of integrating AI technologies to improve product consistency, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency in dairy processing.

Moderator: Simon Drake

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9:00am – 9:45am

Sustainable Practices Through AI Implementation in Dairy

Matt Gould

Matt Gould

Senior Director, Co-Lead Sustainability

Darren Wolfberg

Darren Wolfberg

Founder, Chairman & CEO, Triangle Systems Inc.

Adam Geissler

Adam Geissler

Director of Strategic Accounts, Augury

This session will highlight how artificial intelligence is driving sustainability initiatives across various aspects of dairy operations. Presentations will cover AI applications in energy management, waste reduction, water conservation, and carbon footprint optimization within dairy production facilities. Attendees will learn about innovative AI-driven approaches to minimize environmental impact, comply with regulatory standards, and meet consumer demand for ethically sourced and environmentally responsible dairy products.

Moderator: Mike Aquino

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9:45am – 10:30am

Breakout Roundtables

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10:30am – 11:00am

Networking Break

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11:00am – 11:45am

Leveraging AI for Corporate Use in Dairy Companies

Jennifer Harnish

Jennifer Harnish

Chief People Officer, Aurora Organic Dairy

Jason Bredimus

Jason Bredimus

Vice President, IT & CISO at Shamrock Foods Company

Michael Strohmaier

Michael Strohmaier

Vice President, Information Technology and Services at Crystal Creamery

In this session, attendees will discover how AI is reshaping human resources management and marketing strategies within dairy companies. Speakers will delve into AI-driven recruitment and talent acquisition strategies, workforce optimization, performance management systems, and employee training programs. Practical insights will be shared on how AI tools can help dairy businesses in talent retention, skill development, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Industry experts will discuss the use of AI in consumer behavior analysis, personalized marketing campaigns, product recommendations, and social media engagement. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging AI algorithms to understand consumer preferences, target specific demographics effectively, and drive brand loyalty and sales growth in the competitive dairy market landscape. Finally, the panel will explore the essential principles of ethical AI implementation. Discover best practices for ensuring transparency, fairness, and security in AI systems, and learn how to integrate these principles into your organization.

Moderator: Tom Wojno

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11:45pm – 12:30pm

Networking Lunch

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12:30pm – 1:15pm

AI-driven Supply Chain Optimization in the Dairy Industry

Sadi Carpenter

Sadi Carpenter

Director, Insights and Milk Optimization at Dairy Farmers of America

Colleen Carr

Colleen Carr

Senior Director, Sales Operations at Foremost Farms USA

This session will focus on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on dairy supply chains. Participants will learn about AI-powered demand forecasting, inventory management, logistics optimization, and supplier relationship management. Real-world examples will demonstrate how AI technologies enable dairy companies to achieve greater agility, reduce costs, minimize stockouts, and ensure product freshness while navigating complex supply chain challenges.

Moderator: Duane Banderob

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1:15pm – 2:00pm

Breakout Roundtables

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2:00pm – 2:45pm

Closing Keynote

Elizabeth Fastiggi

Elizabeth Fastiggi

GM/Global Head of Product & GTM Strategy, Agri-food/fuel/fiber at Amazon Web Services (AWS)

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2:45pm – 3:30pm

Looking Towards the Future + Closing Remarks

John Church

John Church

Advisor, former Chief Transformation Officer at General Mills

Tom Wojno

Tom Wojno

COO, IDFA

Megan Boyanton

Megan Boyanton

Business Reporter, the Denver Post

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