On the heels of a successful 53rd show, World Dairy Expo hosted its annual Friends of Expo party on Dec. 11 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., in recognition of the more than 400 volunteers and paid staff who make the global show possible. Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the 2019 Friends of Expo awards. Receiving recognition were Pam VanderSanden, Rick Feran, Carol and John McKinley, and Event Essentials.

Involved in multiple aspects of WDE, the first friend honored was VanderSanden of Oregon, Wis. Each year, she begins her Expo week assisting both trade show and dairy cattle show organizers and exhibitors. However, most of her time is dedicated to Expo’s School Tour Program, which hosts more than 1,500 fourth grade students annually. VanderSanden goes above and beyond as the school tour volunteer coordinator, offering an informal training process for new volunteers to ensure they are prepared and comfortable with their duties.

The second 2019 Friend of Expo also flourishes in the WDE School Tour Program. Feran, Oregon, Wis., has led hundreds of students across the grounds of World Dairy Expo, teaching them about cows, the global dairy industry and the nutritional benefits of dairy products. Feran spends the remainder of his time helping with commercial exhibitor check-in and greeting attendees as a tram rider.

The McKinleys of Verona, Wis. began volunteering at WDE six years ago and now spend every day of the show helping dairy enthusiasts from around the globe. Following their morning coffee and doughnuts with fellow volunteers, Carol takes her position in the Purple Cow Gift Shop, reading prices to cashiers for a speedy check-out process and bagging purchases that will find their way around the world. Meanwhile, John shares his lifetime of knowledge of Madison, Dane County and Wisconsin with attendees as a tram rider and official greeter of World Dairy Expo.

The final friend honored was Event Essentials, located in Windsor, Wis. As Expo’s exclusive tent vendor, Event Essentials has helped elevate WDE spaces such as The Tanbark, Sale Pavilion, Trade Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison Cheese Stand, among others. Not only is the company an invaluable partner to Expo, but it also is on hand to assist trade show exhibitors with rentals and supplies they couldn’t bring with them to Madison.

Source: World Dairy Expo, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.