DAIRY NEWS – Dairy professionals will gather at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., March 4-5 for the 2026 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP). “Dairy’s Blueprint: Drafting Tomorrow’s Success” will feature two days of world-class educational sessions, leading researchers, industry experts, a dairy supplier and equipment trade show, a reverse career fair for college-age job seekers and those looking to employ them – and more.
Keynote speakers will share strategies for navigating financial trends, interest rates and dairy policy, as well as living life intentionally and reclaiming momentum when pressure is high and the cost of hesitation is real.
In addition to more than 50 learning sessions, more than 40 speakers will lead sessions in several formats, including break-out, hands-on and learning lounge presentations, University research updates and Nexus® presentations. Simultaneous Spanish translation of all educational sessions ensures that attendees can learn in their preferred language.
Keynote sessions for the 2026 conference include:
- “Wake up!” presented by John O’Leary. During the conference’s opening session on Mar. 4, O’Leary will share his incredible story that brought him to the brink of death, his astounding recovery and the lessons every attendee can apply to their own lives to wake up to feel fully alive, engaged and energized to tackle each new day with joy and purpose. After recovering from an accident that burned 99% of his 9-year-old body, John went on to defy all odds and become a best-selling author, podcast producer and host, nationally acclaimed speaker. O’Leary was also the subject of the 2025 movie, SOUL ON FIRE.
- The Mar. 5 general session breakfast keynote, “Positioning for Profitability” panel discussion will feature Gregg Doud, president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation, Dr. Edmond Seifried, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Business at Lafayette College and community banking expert, and Dr. David Kohl, PhD as facilitator. The panel will leverage their experiences gained from their robust and well-traveled careers, including working with the Trump administration, to provide a deep dive into interest rates and trade policy while offering insights to help navigate uncertainty and plan for long-term success.
- “Unstoppable” presented by Alex Weber will close the conference. Weber is an award-winning keynote speaker, champion coach, TV host and competitor on American Ninja Warrior. He will challenge attendees to reclaim momentum and lead with confidence and focus.
Visit the 2026 Business Conference website for the conference flier, and information on exhibiting at the event. Details on lodging are also available, with discounted rates at several Madison area hotels if booked by February deadlines. Learn more here.
Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) is the nation’s largest dairy producer-led organization of its kind, focusing on producer professionalism, stakeholder engagement and unified outreach to share ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
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