BC Dairy Industry Conference

See you there!

Registration is open!

EARLY BIRD PRICING EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 15 — Hotel rates only guaranteed until October 31

Conference Registration Hotel Reservation

The BC Dairy Association and BC Milk Marketing Board present

The 14th annual BC Dairy Industry Conference, November 27-28, 2024

This year’s event will be held at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel in Vancouver.

The BC Dairy Industry Conference offers a venue for those involved in the industry to discuss important issues, engage in learning opportunities, and network to foster a greater understanding of our dynamic sector. This year’s conference program will continue the event’s tradition of presenting an interesting, informative, and relevant agenda, which focuses on the future of the dairy industry in British Columbia and Canada.

**No refunds after October 31, 2024

Full program below

2024’s distinguished lineup of speakers will provide their expert insights on critical issues shaping the industry’s future.

We are pleased this year to introduce farm-focused producer workshops on Wednesday afternoon:

Decoding Dairy: Ever wonder what those acronyms mean? All industries have jargon, and dairy has a deeply rooted code that can be hard to decipher. Christy Pettit, CEO of Pollinate Networks and the creator of the Canadian Dairy Wiki will share insights on the system behind the acronyms such as, CMSMC, CDC, P10, P5, 10-90 and many more.
Agricultural Financial Indicators – Make the most of your money! Maximise your financial potential by using key financial indicators to analyze financial statements, helping producers identify business opportunities and challenges. We’ll discuss how routine business decisions and external factors impact these indicators and the business’s overall health.
Industry Meeting hosted by BC Dairy and BC Milk Marketing Board, including industry awards, an “ask the experts” panel, and much more. Stay tuned for more detailed info!

Whether you are considering attending for the first time, or you’ve participated in the past, we value your support of this annual event. Dairy farming is a unique and indispensable way of life that provides jobs, high-quality products, and leading industry standards across the province.

Schedule of events.

Wednesday, November 27 at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel

1:00 – 2:30 PM DECODING DAIRY WORKSHOP

1:00 – 2:30 PM AGRICULTURAL FINANCIAL INDICATORS workshop

3:00 – 5:30 pm industry meeting

12:00 – 8:00 pm Conference Registration

8:00 – 10:00 pm Welcome Reception

Thursday, November 28 at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel

7:30 – 9:00 AM BREAKFAST

Conference emcee: Kevin Lim

Event welcome: Casey Pruim, BC Dairy Cahir

Provincial Address: Speaker dependent on outcome of BC election

DFC Address: David Weins, DFC President

Western Dairy Council Address: Dan Wong, President Western Dairy Council

10:20am – 10:50am Nutrition Break & Sponsor Exhibition
Sponsored by Agrifoods

Protein Power: Dairy’s role in the future of affordable nutrition: Chef Ned Bell

Industry Trends in Agriculture: Haig Poutchigian, President and COO of Saputo, Dairy Division, Canada

12pm-1pm Lunch, sponsor Exhibition
Sponsored by Ritchie-Smith Feeds

Federal Minister of Agriculture Address

Future Farming Now: A panel of young farmers

2:10-2:35pm Nutrition Break and Sponsor Exhibition

What to expect from the next BC government: Stephen Smart and Jeff Ferrier

3pm-4pm PRODUCER ONLY SESSION
Steve Verheul, former canadian chief trade negotiator

4:00 – 4:45 Pm EXHIBIT HALL COCKTAIL HOUR

Thursday, November 28 —Evening Events at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel

6:00 – 7:o0 Pm GALA RECEPTION

7:00 – 10:o0 Pm GALA DINNER

10:00 – 1:00 Am APRES GALA LOUNGE

*Although not a part of the BC Dairy Industry Conference, note that the BC Holstein Branch is hosting an AGM for their members on November 27 taking place at the JW Mariott Parq Hotel. If you are a member of BC Holstein Branch and have questions about this event, please visit their website for more information: http://www.bcholsteins.com/