When the leaves begin to change and the temperature starts to drop, many people look forward to switching out their wardrobe, going apple picking and embarking on fall activities. For me, those activities are exciting, but first and foremost, I look forward to the first week in October and arguably one of the best times of the entire year — World Dairy Expo.

For more than five decades, the global dairy industry has met in Madison, Wis., for this highly anticipated event. Annually held at the Alliant Energy Center, tens of thousands of people from across the country and the world travel to America’s Dairyland to see all that World Dairy Expo has to offer. This year’s show will be held Oct. 2-7.

Due to my involvement with Badger Dairy Club as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I attended World Dairy Expo faithfully for the past four years. For dairy enthusiasts, it feels like Christmas, and I have so many memories that encompass the many things that World Dairy Expo offers. My closest friends and I would scour the trade show to see the coolest new inventions in the dairy industry. For lunch, I could not wait to grab a grilled cheese and chocolate shake from the grilled cheese stand. Between my activities at World Dairy Expo, I also always enjoyed finding my way to the coliseum to see the world’s best cattle on display and connect with Wisconsin farmers.

Gathering place of the dairy industry

The mission statement of this event gives way to its importance. “World Dairy Expo serves as a forum for dairy producers, companies, organizations and other dairy enthusiasts to come together to compete and to exchange ideas, knowledge, technology and commerce.”

Visiting World Dairy Expo serves as an opportunity to see nearly 2,500 head of dairy cattle from across North America show. All seven breeds grace the colored shavings to compete against the best of the best.

This world-class event’s trade show has more than 600 vendors and allows visitors to witness firsthand cutting-edge technology and the latest and greatest dairy equipment. Where else can you talk one on one with experts, researchers and national sales representatives who live and breathe the dairy industry every single day?

Wisconsin’s impressive dairy industry is truly set on display at World Dairy Expo. From virtual tours featuring innovative dairy farms to dairy breeders, vendors and companies to many networking opportunities, World Dairy Expo serves as a time to reflect on the dairy industry’s and Wisconsin’s success. I encourage agriculture enthusiasts to attend World Dairy Expo and see for yourself this remarkable event that draws thousands from across the globe to the capital of America’s Dairyland.

Schaefer is the 75th Alice in Dairyland.