Overview
Dairy Forum heads to San Antonio, Texas, in 2025 with the premier annual event for dairy industry leaders.
Presented by the International Dairy Foods Association, Dairy Forum convenes more than 1,000 leaders from across the dairy supply chain to push the limits of innovation, collaboration, and excellence, and to chart a course towards LIMITLESS success for the industry.
Spread across four days, Dairy Forum includes main sessions, deep dive sessions, panel discussions, special presentations by conference partners, and numerous opportunities to connect with leaders in the dairy industry.
Unleash Dairy's Limitless Potential. Unleash Your Limitless Potential.
Limits are self-imposed. Dairy Forum 2025 will present sessions that expand the boundaries of dairy leaders’ visions for their businesses. How can dairy companies expand their labor and talent pools? How can dairy exceed record domestic consumption and export figures in recent years? What non-traditional partnerships can dairy executives leverage to expand their technological capabilities, or their brand awareness? Gain insights and inspiration from leading thinkers and experts in business leadership, technology, nutrition, sustainability and more.
Come prepared to advance your knowledge and unite with leaders from across the supply chain—from farmers to cooperatives, processors, suppliers, retailers, foodservice and government. Dairy Forum is the only event where leaders from across the dairy supply chain meet to exchange ideas, foster innovation, and cultivate meaningful connections. Join us this year in San Antonio!
Agenda
*All Times Central Print Agenda
| January 26, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30am |
Morning Golf Tournament
Sponsored By:
|
The Oaks at TPC | |
| 9:00am |
5K Fun Run
|
Sunset Lawn | |
| 1:00am |
Afternoon Golf Tournament
Sponsored By:
|
The Oaks at TPC | |
| 2:00pm - 4:00pm |
IDFA Executive Council Meeting (invitation only)
|
Grand Salon NOP | |
| 5:00pm - 5:45pm |
Chairman's Reception (invitation only)
Sponsored By:
|
||
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm |
Chairman’s Lecture: Kevin McCarthy
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 7:00pm - 8:30pm |
Welcome Reception
|
River Bend Pavilion | |
| January 27, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 8:30am - 9:30am |
President's Breakfast
Sponsored By:
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 9:30am - 9:45am |
Networking Break
|
Grand Foyer | |
| 9:45am - 10:45am |
Deep Dive Sessions
|
||
| 10:45am - 11:00am |
Networking Break
|
Grand Foyer | |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm |
Deep Dive Sessions
|
||
| 12:15pm - 2:00pm |
Lunch Session: Carla Harris
Sponsored By:
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm |
General Session
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 3:00pm - 3:30pm |
Media Meet and Greet (invitation only)
|
||
| 3:00pm - 4:00pm |
International Trade Committee Meeting (invitation only)
|
||
| 3:00pm - 4:00pm |
Legal Community Meeting (invitation only)
|
||
| 3:30pm - 4:00pm |
Press Briefing
|
||
| 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Women in Dairy Event
|
||
| 5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Foundation Cornhole Tournament
|
||
| 6:00pm - 7:30pm |
PAC Reception (invitation only)
|
||
| January 28, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 7:15am - 8:15am |
State Association Executive Meeting (invitation only)
|
||
| 8:30am - 9:30am |
Breakfast Session
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 9:30am - 9:45am |
Networking Break
|
Grand Foyer | |
| 9:45am - 10:45am |
Deep Dive Sessions
|
||
| 10:45am - 11:00am |
Networking Break
|
Grand Foyer | |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm |
Deep Dive Sessions
|
||
| 12:15pm - 2:00pm |
Lunch Session: Eric Traupe
Sponsored By:
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm |
General Session
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 3:15pm - 4:45pm |
NextGen Leadership Roundtable (invitation only)
|
||
| 3:30pm - 4:30pm |
Economic Policy Committee Meeting (invitation only)
|
||
| 3:30pm - 4:30pm |
Sustainability Committee Meeting (invitation only)
|
||
| 5:30pm - 7:00pm |
Cocktails and Conversation
Sponsored By:
|
||
| January 29, 2025 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 8:00am - 9:00am |
General Session
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 9:00am - 10:00am |
General Session
|
Grand Salon GHIJ | |
| 10:00am - 11:00am |
General Session
|
Grand Salon GHIJ |
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy is the 55th Speaker of the House.
Described as a man who exudes “true American grit,” McCarthy's political journey is the quintessential American story. After starting a small business at the age of 21, McCarthy went back to college to earn his bachelor and master degrees in business. He was rejected for an internship to the congressional seat he later held for seventeen years. Prior to being elected to Congress, McCarthy served in the California State Legislature where he became the fastest rising Minority Leader in the history of the California State Assembly.
McCarthy won the Speakership after a historic 15 ballots, and went on to secure $2 trillion in deficit reduction, all while protecting the full faith and credit of the United States, keeping our government open, and making sure our troops were paid. He also refocused Congress on America’s long-term challenges by creating the first-ever Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Throughout his career, McCarthy fought for a more effective, efficient, and accountable federal government. He also personally recruited and actively supported commonsense candidates for office who have helped reshape the Republican Party – several of whom have become Senators, Governors, and cabinet secretaries. Overall, under his leadership, dozens of new Republican women, minorities, and veterans have been elected to Congress.
In Congress, he held nearly every elected leadership position in the House Republican conference and served under three Presidents, during two economic crises, and through consistent political upheaval while always maintaining his approach to governing as a Happy Warrior.
Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
Michael Dykes, D.V.M., a long-time government affairs strategist, agricultural policy expert, and veterinarian, became president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association in January 2017. In this role, he represents members that make more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Since joining IDFA, Dykes has been a strong advocate for the importance of global competitiveness to the future of the U.S. dairy industry. He has made preserving trade partnerships with Mexico and improving Canadian market access for U.S. dairy exports in all future trade agreements a priority for IDFA. Prior to assuming his role at IDFA, Dykes served as vice president of government affairs for Monsanto, where he was responsible for developing and implementing a portfolio of U.S. government relations strategies and programs that included agricultural biotechnology policy. He led Monsanto's office in Washington, D.C., and served as the company's primary point of contact for elected officials, regulatory authorities, U.S. farm organizations, key industry participants, trade associations, international organizations and embassies. He directed the company's efforts in state and local government affairs, in addition to government affairs in Mexico and Canada. Dykes is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Academy of Practitioners. He has served on the Farmhouse Fraternity board for 3+ years. He is also a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and has served on the USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21).
Dykes grew up on a small dairy and tobacco farm in Kentucky. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. He also attended the University of Kentucky where he received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.
Carla Harris
Carla Harris is a Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She was most recently as a Vice Chairman responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm. She formerly headed the Emerging Manager Platform, the equity capital markets effort for the consumer and retail industries and was responsible for Equity Private Placements. In her 30+ year career, Ms. Harris has had extensive industry experiences in the technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare sectors. In August 2013, Carla Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women’s Business Council.
For more than a decade, Ms. Harris was a senior member of the equity syndicate desk and executed such transactions as initial public offerings for UPS, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Ariba, Redback, the General Motors sub-IPO of Delphi Automotive, and the $3.2 Billion common stock transaction for Immunex Corporation, one of the largest biotechnology common stock transactions in U.S. history. Ms. Harris was named to Fortune Magazine’s list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America”, Fortune’s Most Influential List, U. S. Bankers Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance (2009, 2010, 2011), Black Enterprise’s Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business (2017), and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street”, and to Essence Magazine’s list of “The 50 Women Who are Shaping the World”, Ebony’s list of the Power 100 and “15 Corporate Women at the Top” and was named “Woman of the Year 2004” by the Harvard Black Men’s Forum and in 2011 by the Yale Black Men’s Forum.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Carla received an MBA, Second Year Honors from Harvard Business School and an AB in economics from Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude. Carla has also received Honorary Doctorates of Laws, Humanities and Business from Marymount Manhattan College, Bloomfield College, Converse College, Jacksonville University, Simmons College, the College of New Rochelle, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Babson College and Fisk University, Wake Forest University and Felician University respectively. Carla Harris is actively involved in her community and heartily believes that “we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to someone else.”
She is the past Chair of the Board of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and of The Executive Leadership Council, and sits on the boards of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), The Sesame Workshop, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and is an active member of the St. Charles Gospelites of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and the Mark Howell Singers. She is a member of the board of overseers of Harvard University and of the board of directors of the Walmart Corporation, Cummins Corporation and MetLife. Ms. Harris was co-chair of the National Social Action Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has been named to the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2015) and has received the Bert King Award from the Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association, the 2005 Women’s Professional Achievement Award from Harvard University, the Pierre Toussaint Medallion from the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York, the Women of Power Award given by the National Urban League, the Women of Influence Award from The Links, Incorporated and many other awards. In her other life, Carla is a singer who has sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theatre, and released 4 Gospel CDs:“O This is Christmas” (2021) “Unceasing Praise” (2011), “Joy Is Waiting”(2005), and her first CD entitled, “Carla’s First Christmas”(2000), was a bestseller on Amazon.com in New York and was featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather in his “American Dream” segment. She is also an internationally renowned public speaker and the author of the books, Strategize to Win (2014), Expect to Win (2009) (Hudson Press) and of Lead To Win (2022).
Eric Traupe
A powerful voice in the Intelligence Community and one of its leading national security professionals, Eric Traupe is the former assistant director of the CIA for the Near East and served on the front lines of U.S. counterterrorism efforts for more than 20 years. He remains a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking leaders, having advised CIA directors, presidents, cabinet and military officials, and members of Congress, and participated in momentous White House strategic, policy, and resource decisions. Traupe has tackled the full range of U.S. national security issues, and his leadership, acumen, and unmatched ability to cultivate enduring relationships between the U.S. and its foreign partners continues to be heralded in intelligence circles.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Traupe is an inclusive and transformational leader whose “exemplary leadership will reverberate across the CIA for decades,” as noted by the agency’s top officials. He draws from his experiences championing diverse, people-centered cultures to share proven strategies for embracing the principles of servant leadership for more impactful collaboration across organizational and cultural boundaries, and empower teams to innovate, enhance creativity, develop solutions, and succeed in challenging environments. To complement his highly sought-after leadership insights, Traupe is masterfully skilled at engaging audiences with his captivating perspectives on today’s top issues in risk management, national intelligence, and the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
In addition to advising U.S. and world leaders, military officials, and private industry executives, as CIA Near East assistant director, Traupe’s work centered on responding to trends impacting the global landscape. This included directing traditional intelligence activities, such as Iran’s nuclear and regional ambitions, the CIA’s foreign partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa, and global competition with China and Russia. He also spearheaded initiatives to develop innovative cyber, technology, and data exploitation solutions to address complex national security issues. Throughout his tenure, he thrived in assignments that required crisis management skills, sound judgement, and an ability to assess internal and external risks. As a member of the CIA’s Expanded Corporate Board, Traupe led thousands of officers from different professional units, developed and executed multi-billion-dollar budgets, and addressed acute intelligence and foreign policy challenges on behalf of the CIA director. He expertly assessed geopolitical and economic trends, forecasted key budgetary investments, evaluated security risks, and weighed the implications of the pandemic’s impact to ensure his workforce maintained cohesion, resiliency, and mission-focus.
Prior to the CIA, Traupe served in the United States Marine Corps for nearly 10 years. He held several command and staff assignments and completed deployments to the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, Japan, and Europe. Traupe played a key role in managing three separate non-combatant evacuation operations in The Gambia, Albania, and Zaire, during which, a total of 1,500 U.S. citizens were safely rescued.
Since leaving the public sector, Traupe founded Azimuth Global LLC, a consulting firm that provides strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 companies in the technology, national security, and strategic risk sectors. He serves as an operating partner with Lightspeed Venture Partners, sits on the Board of Advisors for Intel Corporation, and serves as an advisor to Anduril Industries Inc. and other emerging technology companies. Traupe is also a senior Advisor at WestExec, on the Board of Advisors for the Center for a New American Security, a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, and a panel member for the Special Competitive Studies Project focused on geopolitical rivalries associated with China and Russia. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Third Option Foundation and the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation. He was previously the President of Capella Federal Inc., a subsidiary of Capella Space Corp.
Consistently recognized as a strategic thinker and collaborative leader, Traupe’s contributions to the Intelligence Community have been recognized with several honors, including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Clandestine Service Career Award, CIA’s Director Award (twice), George W. Bush Award for Excellence, and the Presidential Rank Award — to name a few. He holds an MBA in international business from American University and a BA in communications from the University of Michigan, where he starred as a linebacker participating in two Rose Bowls and a Gator Bowl.
Speakers
Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
President & CEO | International Dairy Foods Association
Michael Dykes, D.V.M.
Michael Dykes, D.V.M., a long-time government affairs strategist, agricultural policy expert, and veterinarian, became president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association in January 2017. In this role, he represents members that make more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Since joining IDFA, Dykes has been a strong advocate for the importance of global competitiveness to the future of the U.S. dairy industry. He has made preserving trade partnerships with Mexico and improving Canadian market access for U.S. dairy exports in all future trade agreements a priority for IDFA. Prior to assuming his role at IDFA, Dykes served as vice president of government affairs for Monsanto, where he was responsible for developing and implementing a portfolio of U.S. government relations strategies and programs that included agricultural biotechnology policy. He led Monsanto's office in Washington, D.C., and served as the company's primary point of contact for elected officials, regulatory authorities, U.S. farm organizations, key industry participants, trade associations, international organizations and embassies. He directed the company's efforts in state and local government affairs, in addition to government affairs in Mexico and Canada. Dykes is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Academy of Practitioners. He has served on the Farmhouse Fraternity board for 3+ years. He is also a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and has served on the USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21).
Dykes grew up on a small dairy and tobacco farm in Kentucky. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. He also attended the University of Kentucky where he received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science.
Carla Harris
Senior Client Advisor | Morgan Stanley
Carla Harris
Carla Harris is a Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She was most recently as a Vice Chairman responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm. She formerly headed the Emerging Manager Platform, the equity capital markets effort for the consumer and retail industries and was responsible for Equity Private Placements. In her 30+ year career, Ms. Harris has had extensive industry experiences in the technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare sectors. In August 2013, Carla Harris was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women’s Business Council.
For more than a decade, Ms. Harris was a senior member of the equity syndicate desk and executed such transactions as initial public offerings for UPS, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Ariba, Redback, the General Motors sub-IPO of Delphi Automotive, and the $3.2 Billion common stock transaction for Immunex Corporation, one of the largest biotechnology common stock transactions in U.S. history. Ms. Harris was named to Fortune Magazine’s list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America”, Fortune’s Most Influential List, U. S. Bankers Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance (2009, 2010, 2011), Black Enterprise’s Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business (2017), and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street”, and to Essence Magazine’s list of “The 50 Women Who are Shaping the World”, Ebony’s list of the Power 100 and “15 Corporate Women at the Top” and was named “Woman of the Year 2004” by the Harvard Black Men’s Forum and in 2011 by the Yale Black Men’s Forum.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Carla received an MBA, Second Year Honors from Harvard Business School and an AB in economics from Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude. Carla has also received Honorary Doctorates of Laws, Humanities and Business from Marymount Manhattan College, Bloomfield College, Converse College, Jacksonville University, Simmons College, the College of New Rochelle, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Babson College and Fisk University, Wake Forest University and Felician University respectively. Carla Harris is actively involved in her community and heartily believes that “we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to someone else.”
She is the past Chair of the Board of the Morgan Stanley Foundation and of The Executive Leadership Council, and sits on the boards of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), The Sesame Workshop, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and is an active member of the St. Charles Gospelites of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and the Mark Howell Singers. She is a member of the board of overseers of Harvard University and of the board of directors of the Walmart Corporation, Cummins Corporation and MetLife. Ms. Harris was co-chair of the National Social Action Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has been named to the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2015) and has received the Bert King Award from the Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association, the 2005 Women’s Professional Achievement Award from Harvard University, the Pierre Toussaint Medallion from the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York, the Women of Power Award given by the National Urban League, the Women of Influence Award from The Links, Incorporated and many other awards. In her other life, Carla is a singer who has sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theatre, and released 4 Gospel CDs:“O This is Christmas” (2021) “Unceasing Praise” (2011), “Joy Is Waiting”(2005), and her first CD entitled, “Carla’s First Christmas”(2000), was a bestseller on Amazon.com in New York and was featured on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather in his “American Dream” segment. She is also an internationally renowned public speaker and the author of the books, Strategize to Win (2014), Expect to Win (2009) (Hudson Press) and of Lead To Win (2022).
Kevin McCarthy
55th Speaker of the House
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy is the 55th Speaker of the House.
Described as a man who exudes “true American grit,” McCarthy's political journey is the quintessential American story. After starting a small business at the age of 21, McCarthy went back to college to earn his bachelor and master degrees in business. He was rejected for an internship to the congressional seat he later held for seventeen years. Prior to being elected to Congress, McCarthy served in the California State Legislature where he became the fastest rising Minority Leader in the history of the California State Assembly.
McCarthy won the Speakership after a historic 15 ballots, and went on to secure $2 trillion in deficit reduction, all while protecting the full faith and credit of the United States, keeping our government open, and making sure our troops were paid. He also refocused Congress on America’s long-term challenges by creating the first-ever Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Throughout his career, McCarthy fought for a more effective, efficient, and accountable federal government. He also personally recruited and actively supported commonsense candidates for office who have helped reshape the Republican Party – several of whom have become Senators, Governors, and cabinet secretaries. Overall, under his leadership, dozens of new Republican women, minorities, and veterans have been elected to Congress.
In Congress, he held nearly every elected leadership position in the House Republican conference and served under three Presidents, during two economic crises, and through consistent political upheaval while always maintaining his approach to governing as a Happy Warrior.
Eric Traupe
National Intelligence Leader; Former CIA Assistant Director
Eric Traupe
A powerful voice in the Intelligence Community and one of its leading national security professionals, Eric Traupe is the former assistant director of the CIA for the Near East and served on the front lines of U.S. counterterrorism efforts for more than 20 years. He remains a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking leaders, having advised CIA directors, presidents, cabinet and military officials, and members of Congress, and participated in momentous White House strategic, policy, and resource decisions. Traupe has tackled the full range of U.S. national security issues, and his leadership, acumen, and unmatched ability to cultivate enduring relationships between the U.S. and its foreign partners continues to be heralded in intelligence circles.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Traupe is an inclusive and transformational leader whose “exemplary leadership will reverberate across the CIA for decades,” as noted by the agency’s top officials. He draws from his experiences championing diverse, people-centered cultures to share proven strategies for embracing the principles of servant leadership for more impactful collaboration across organizational and cultural boundaries, and empower teams to innovate, enhance creativity, develop solutions, and succeed in challenging environments. To complement his highly sought-after leadership insights, Traupe is masterfully skilled at engaging audiences with his captivating perspectives on today’s top issues in risk management, national intelligence, and the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
In addition to advising U.S. and world leaders, military officials, and private industry executives, as CIA Near East assistant director, Traupe’s work centered on responding to trends impacting the global landscape. This included directing traditional intelligence activities, such as Iran’s nuclear and regional ambitions, the CIA’s foreign partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa, and global competition with China and Russia. He also spearheaded initiatives to develop innovative cyber, technology, and data exploitation solutions to address complex national security issues. Throughout his tenure, he thrived in assignments that required crisis management skills, sound judgement, and an ability to assess internal and external risks. As a member of the CIA’s Expanded Corporate Board, Traupe led thousands of officers from different professional units, developed and executed multi-billion-dollar budgets, and addressed acute intelligence and foreign policy challenges on behalf of the CIA director. He expertly assessed geopolitical and economic trends, forecasted key budgetary investments, evaluated security risks, and weighed the implications of the pandemic’s impact to ensure his workforce maintained cohesion, resiliency, and mission-focus.
Prior to the CIA, Traupe served in the United States Marine Corps for nearly 10 years. He held several command and staff assignments and completed deployments to the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, Japan, and Europe. Traupe played a key role in managing three separate non-combatant evacuation operations in The Gambia, Albania, and Zaire, during which, a total of 1,500 U.S. citizens were safely rescued.
Since leaving the public sector, Traupe founded Azimuth Global LLC, a consulting firm that provides strategic advisory services to Fortune 500 companies in the technology, national security, and strategic risk sectors. He serves as an operating partner with Lightspeed Venture Partners, sits on the Board of Advisors for Intel Corporation, and serves as an advisor to Anduril Industries Inc. and other emerging technology companies. Traupe is also a senior Advisor at WestExec, on the Board of Advisors for the Center for a New American Security, a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, and a panel member for the Special Competitive Studies Project focused on geopolitical rivalries associated with China and Russia. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Third Option Foundation and the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation. He was previously the President of Capella Federal Inc., a subsidiary of Capella Space Corp.
Consistently recognized as a strategic thinker and collaborative leader, Traupe’s contributions to the Intelligence Community have been recognized with several honors, including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Clandestine Service Career Award, CIA’s Director Award (twice), George W. Bush Award for Excellence, and the Presidential Rank Award — to name a few. He holds an MBA in international business from American University and a BA in communications from the University of Michigan, where he starred as a linebacker participating in two Rose Bowls and a Gator Bowl.
Hotel
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Dairy Forum will be held at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. A discounted room rate of $289 per night plus applicable taxes will be available to Dairy Forum attendees. The deadline to secure a room is Friday, January 3, 2025 or until the room block sells out. We have reserved a large block of rooms, but once the room block is full, we cannot guarantee that additional space will be available.
Hotel Reservation Policy: You must register for the Dairy Forum to be eligible for the conference discounted room rate. All registrants will receive a registration confirmation email that will include instructions on how to confirm your hotel reservation. Only one reservation is permitted per registrant. If a hotel guest is not registered for Dairy Forum, IDFA reserves the right to remove the guest room reservation from the conference room block without notice
Hotel Cancellation Policy: Hotel reservations can be canceled up to twenty-four (24) hours prior to arrival without fees. If complete cancellation of an individual reservation takes place within twenty-four (24) hours of the scheduled arrival a cancellation fee equal to one (1) night room and tax will be charged by the hotel.
The Oaks Course at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
The Oaks course presents a memorable, fair challenge to golfers of all ability levels. The host course of the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open reflects the Tour’s departure from the modern style course (expansive grass areas and spectator mounding) to a more natural look and feel. Eighteen holes, 7435 yards, Par 72.
Schedule
7:30 a.m. Central - Morning Golf Tournament – Shotgun Start (Scramble)
1:00 p.m. Central - Afternoon Golf Tournament - Shotgun Start (Scramble)
Golf Tournament Registration Fee: $299
Registration includes greens fee, cart fee, practice facilities, light breakfast (morning players) or boxed lunch (afternoon players), beverages and service fees.
How to play a golf scramble?
In a scramble, each golfer in the foursome takes a shot from the tee. From that point, the team decides who has the best drive, and all players advance forward to that spot to take their second shots. This process continues, with the best shot being taken each time, until a member of the team is able to hole out. The team’s score for that particular hole is recorded as the number of team strokes it took to get the ball in the cup.
Sponsors:
IDFA Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser
Join us on Monday afternoon, Jan. 27, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for the first annual Dairy Forum Cornhole Fundraiser to benefit the IDFA Foundation. All cornhole enthusiasts and novices are welcome. Register in groups of two or on your own to have an opportunity to play cornhole while also fundraising to make a difference for our industry and the communities where we work.
The fundraiser will include a round-robin tournament and playoff with the top eight players, as well as an awards ceremony. The top two players at the end of the tournament will win their very own cornhole boards and an inscribed award plaque! 100% of the funds raised will support the IDFA Foundation, which promotes the health and wellbeing of people, communities, and our planet on behalf of U.S. dairy.
If you would like to support the IDFA Foundation, please click here.
Registration Fees
Individual $249
Doubles $399
5K Fun Walk/Run
Sunday, January 26 | 9:00AM
All levels of runners and walkers are invited to participate in the Dairy Forum 5K Fun Walk/Run. This event is a great way to start your day with a little cardio alongside your colleagues. The 5K (3.1 miles) route will lead you around the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa property.
Registration Fee: $60
Registration fees for Dairy Forum are based on your company's IDFA membership status. For more information about membership, please email membership@idfa.org.
FAQs
Q: Registration Payment by Check or ACH/Wire Transfer
The fastest and easiest way to register is online. If an invoice is required to submit payment by check or ACH/wire transfer, please email registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Registration Substitutions
Registration is non-transferable from one company to another; however, substitutions within companies are welcome at any time. Please email registrar@idfa.org if you would like to make a registration substitution.
Q: Registration Cancellation Policy
Registration cancellations received in writing will be accepted prior to December 20, 2024 for a full refund, minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations received after December 20, 2024, will be eligible for a 50 percent refund, less the processing fee. Your Dairy Forum registration fee is non-refundable after January 6, 2025. Substitutions may be made without penalty. All cancellations and substitutions must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Golf Tournament Cancellation Policy
All golf tournament cancellations will receive a full refund before December 20, 2024. No golf tournament refunds will be issued after December 20, 2024. All cancellations must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: 5K Fun Walk/Run Cancellation Policy
All 5K Fun Walk/Run cancellations will receive a full refund before December 20, 2024. No 5K Fun Walk/Run refunds will be issued after December 20, 2024. All cancellations must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser Cancellation Policy
All Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser cancellations will receive a full refund before December 20, 2024. No Foundation Cornhole Fundraiser refunds will be issued after December 20, 2024. All cancellations must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: News Media
Credentialed members of the news media are welcome to register at a special rate by contacting press@idfa.org. News media must present credentials to qualify.
Q: Attire
Attire is business casual although we encourage attendees to dress comfortably for evening receptions which may be held outdoors.
Q: Affiliate Events
Affiliate events are non-IDFA sponsored events that take place before, during, or after Dairy Forum. These include, but are not limited to business meetings, receptions, dinners, group activities, and other functions. If you are interested in reserving space at the conference hotel for an affiliate meeting or event, please contact lgold@idfa.org. Space is limited, and requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions: If you have questions or need assistance with the registration process, please contact IDFA at (202) 737-4332 or registrar@idfa.org.
Sponsor Information
Dairy Forum propels the dairy industry to new heights by providing attendees with the most cutting-edge information. Designed to elevate the industry and the businesses within it, Dairy Forum offers an unrivaled platform for exchanging ideas, fostering innovation, and cultivating meaningful connections. With a focus on empowering attendees with actionable insights, Dairy Forum equips them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate emerging trends, capitalize on opportunities, and overcome challenges. By attending Dairy Forum, industry professionals can expect to elevate their businesses, advance their expertise, and actively contribute to the conversation that shapes the future of dairy.
For those interested in sponsorship, Dairy Forum is the place to be seen and heard. Sponsorship is one of the best ways to brand your organization as a thought-leader and to highlight your commitment to advancing the dairy industry. IDFA offers various levels of sponsorship.
Please contact lgold@idfa.org for more information.
Highlight Your Dairy Products at Dairy Forum
Dairy Forum will feature a Dairy Bar showcasing some of the most popular and innovative products produced by our members. The Dairy Bar will feature a broad selection of dairy products including milk, yogurt, cheese, snack packs, ice cream, novelties, as well as other products and beverages. All products will be displayed for attendees to enjoy throughout the conference.
We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity and consider donating a selection of your single serve products. To participate, please contact vpender@idfa.org.
