SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. – The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC), the Pacific Coast Coalition and Cal Poly will bring the dairy industry together at the Dairy Products, Processing & Packaging Innovation Symposium 2024 in Shell Beach, Calif. 

Set for Feb. 27-29, the symposium is designed to bring attention to recent technical innovations and market opportunities that can improve dairy product quality, sustainability and competitiveness in today’s market. 

Carmen Licon, Ph.D., director of the Dairy Products Technology Center (DPTC) for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Poly, said the event will attract professionals of the dairy industry, producers, processors, academia and communication specialists with an emphasis on dairy products. The goal is to facilitate dialogue between dairy innovation providers and innovation users and highlight new opportunities that can inspire innovation.

“The emphasis is on innovation,” Licon said. “The program is designed to talk about the latest market-growing opportunities from a sustainable lens.”

The main focus of the conference will be on sustainability, exploring innovations in dairy production and understanding sustainable practices for a greener dairy industry.

Programming will include a panel discussion led by John Talbot of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB). This panel will feature key industry players, including representatives from California Dairies, Hilmar, Leprino and Dairy Management Inc. The panel will offer insights into their contributions to dairy innovation, market strategies and sustainable practices.

Speakers from GIRA Consulting, a global leader in food and agriculture consulting, will also share global dairy market trends and dynamics, as well as innovations driving sustainable dairy practices around the globe. The conference will offer additional global insights with speakers from Canada, France and Denmark, leading countries in dairy innovation, about their experiences, strategies and success stories that have shaped their dairy industries.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the latest technologies driving innovation in dairy production and processing. Researchers and dairy center directors, faculty and industry experts will discuss advancements that can revolutionize processors’ approach to dairy business.

The event will also offer networking opportunities and a chance to connect with professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs from throughout the industry.

“It’s a great opportunity for networking, since it is a small conference,” Licon said. “It is very personal.”

More information about the event, including a detailed agenda and registration details, is available via the Cal Poly website. You can also learn more about the CDIC by visiting its website