DAIRY ST R
March 11, 2017
First Section
A short, but impactful show Great lineup of breakout sessions for 17th annual show By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
Nathan Jensen said dairy producers in the Upper Midwest don’t have to travel far to attend a dairy-focused show which will provide many aspects of information. He said they can nd what they need March 28-30 at the Central Plains Dairy Expo held at the Sanford Premier Center Complex in Sioux Falls, S.D. “We’re a very compact [trade] show over a two-day period versus some of these other shows that go for a week and you’re spread out. Here you can accomplish a lot in a very short two days,” said Jensen, who is the president of the Central Plains Dairy Association that hosts the expo and is the chief nancial ofcer for Meadowvale Dairy in Rock Valley, Iowa. Now in its 17th year, the Central Plains Dairy Expo offers networking, education and tradeshow exhibits – the same as it has in the past, Jensen said. Deb Wehde, vice president of the Central Plains Dairy Association, said the venue is part of what makes the expo stand out. “Now that we’re getting used to the larger space with the [Sanford] Premier Center [Complex] along with the arena and the convention center, it feels like it’s really falling into place. The vendors are really happy with the extended space we’ve got over the last couple years. And to have a big name like Clint Black as part of our entertainment – that’s always exciting,” said Wehde, who also works for Agropur. The event starts with the Welcome Reception and a concert by Clint Black the evening of March 28. As a country music fan, Jensen is looking forward to an evening of fun.
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Visitors listen to an exhibitor at last year’s Central Plains Dairy Expo. This year, the expo runs from March 28-30 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
“That’s always the highlight of the show for me – the welcome reception and concert. It’s a great venue to get together with friends and associates, and meet new people, too,” he said. New this year to the evening will be suites – each hosted by one of the large sponsors of the event – on the second level to watch the concert. “It’s an opportunity for producers and industry folks to network and have fun,” Jensen said. Another new addition is the hospitality event hosted by Ecolab in the Sheraton after the concert. The next morning kicks off with the Ag Prayer Breakfast, with a testimonial by dairy farmer, Rita Vander Kooi, and musical worship by the Fehlhafer family. “The prayer breakfast has been growing every year and has really been a staple for our show,” Wehde said. Expo attendees then have two days to explore the trade show with over 300 exhibits and 22 educational seminars, with four in Spanish.
“The breakout sessions make the show what it is. There are so many topics ranging from milk pricing to cow management to calf care,” Jensen said. “There’s a breadth of topics …” Wehde agreed. “The breakout sessions have always been very popular. Those are things that draw a lot of people in. Spanish seminars will help expand the show to a larger audience,” she said. Free admission is a benet to the show, Wehde said. “For most of everything there’s not a charge and that’s a testament to our industry partners – that we can put on a show like this and bring in our dairy producers to not only honor them but have them take part of this convention once a year,” she said. Turn to IMPACTFUL | Page 3