The Dairy Business Association's popular Expansion Symposium is back for a fourth year. With the theme "Expand to Compete," this two-day conference is positioned to move the dairy industry forward.

Dairy owners, operators, employees and all others affiliated with the dairy industry are invited to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Wednesday, January 28, and Thursday, January 29, 2009. The Expansion Symposium is a one-stop shop, stocked full with the information dairies need to maintain a competitive advantage. On Wednesday, hear from Alex Avery from the Center for Global Food Issues on how conventional dairy production systems can provide a more affordable, economically sustainable food supply than natural or organic methods. Then, a panel of executive directors from Western states' dairy associations will explain the challenges and opportunities of dairying in the West. The next panel will demystify the permitting and expansion process, followed by an analysis of ethanol's effects on America and its effect on dairy producers by Dr. Matthew C. Roberts. Attendees will also enjoy a fabulous cheese reception followed by dinner and networking into the evening.

Greg Squires of Dairy Enterprise Services opens Thursday morning with a session on managing dairy finances during tough times and while expanding. Next, hear straight from the first dairy producer in the state who recently completed an Environmental Impact Statement. Also, communications experts Jenny Sereno and Kennan Wood from Wood Communications will explain the often forgetten component of growing a dairy - public relations planning. Later that morning, Rick Onaindia will talk about why Bettencourt Dairy in Idaho chose to build their own processing plant. The day will wrap up with a DBA producer-member panel talking about real-life scenarios for expanding dairies. Jay Richardson, Dr. Don Niles and Larry Dufek will offer firsthand advice on financing, cattle needs and the unexpected circumstances of building and growing a dairy operation.

Beyond the sessions, the DBA Expansion Symposium offers a trade show packed with endless opportunities for interaction among the 600 people expected to attend. Also, one lucky dairy producer will walk away from the trade show with a large-screen television.

To register for the Expansion Symposium, visit DBA on-line at www.widba.com, or contact Jane Aubry by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (920) 347-0499. The registration fee is $180 per person. Dairy producers receive a special discounted rate of $100 per person for each attendee after one person has registered from the dairy at the full price. The first 500 people registered will receive a free DBA windshirt.