Come celebrate our 10th anniversary during World Dairy Expo at any or all three of our events! We are excited to bring you the Family Lounge and Connect networking event back this fall, as well as a Tanbark Talk we are co-hosting!

Registration is open for our World Dairy Expo events!

Annual Connect Networking Event:

Wednesday, October 4th at 5:30 – 9:00 pm
Grazing Stations: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Special Celebration: Cheese and Wine Pairing/Tasting for all (non-alcoholic options available)
Capitol Square Ballroom in the Sheraton Madison Hotel (706 John Nolen Drive, Madison, Wi – right across from the Expo grounds!)

This annual networking session offers a welcoming environment with great conversations and connections for dairywomen in town for Expo. And this year we CELEBRATE the 10th anniversary of DGN and our Connect Networking events. This event is a short walk from the grounds, but there is also ample parking available and the Sheraton also offers a shuttle to and from the hotel and Expo all day and evening. The cost of the event is $30.00 and includes grazing stations, beverages and DGN swag.

This Connect event is supported by ABS Global, Boehringer Ingelheim, BouMatic, Lely, LF Bioenergy and Zinpro.

Tanbark Talk:

“Women Leading Dairy: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Friday, October 6th at 9:00 – 11:00 am
Tanbark (Arena Building)

New this year, DGN is co-hosting a Tanbark Talk along with the NMPF National Young Cooperators Program on Friday, October 6th. Women show leadership at all levels of the dairy supply chain. On farms, women are either principal operators or decision-makers on over half of all farming operations. But women face unique challenges to reaching leadership positions, ranging from work-family expectations to developing professional networks to fighting attitudes of “that’s the way it’s always been.” Join us for a panel discussion exploring the leadership challenges women encounter as they navigate careers in the dairy industry and prepare for future success.

Speakers:

Panelist: Mary Knigge, Dairy Farmers of America
Panelist: Julie Mauer, Dairy Farmer
Panelist: Lorilee Schultz, Dairy Farmer
Panelist: Rita Vander Kooi, Dairy Farmer
Moderator: Laura Daniels, Dairy Girl Network

This event is free to all wanting to attend. After the panel discussion, there will be networking time.

This Tanbark Talk is supported by ABS Global, LF Bioenergy, the YC Program and Zinpro.

Family Lounge:

Tuesday, October 3rd through Friday, October 6th
Madison Room on the second floor of Exhibition Hall

Dairy Girl Network is proud to once again provide a space that families with small children may rest and recharge in a quiet atmosphere during the hustle and bustle of World Dairy Expo. An area for nursing mothers is also available. This space offers comfortable seating, a changing station, toys and snacks to recharge. The Family Lounge will be open all day, every day during World Dairy Expo.

We are looking for volunteers to help with the Family Lounge. The primary role of a volunteer includes very basic housekeeping and volunteers are encouraged to stay and network if their schedule allows to greet guests and point out some amenities within the Lounge. Learn more and sign up for a volunteer shift HERE.

DGN welcomes donations for the Expo Family Lounge to make this a comfortable space with helpful amenities. Please review review our donation list HERE or reach out to Brenda with other ideas.

The Family Lounge is supported by ABS Global, LF Bioenergy and Zinpro.

Thank you to our 2023 World Dairy Supporters: