Massive crowds of dairy producers and pickup trucks will soon flood the streets of Stratford for round two of the Canadian Dairy XPO.
Widespread reports state the 2013 inaugural CDX stripped the town of diesel fuel, red meat and other farmer necessities.
“A good problem to have” states the City of Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson.
“The Canadian Dairy XPO was a resounding success last year, providing onsite challenges with crowds and parking.
“Together with event organizers we have prepared for incremental volume and welcome the crowds for the second annual XPO.”
Crowned the largest dairy stage in Canada, the XPO looks to attract dairy producers and their families from all 10 Canadian provinces, the USA and various international visitors.
The inaugural event drew over 11,000 attendees and this year expects to draw closer to 15,000 for a 25 per cent increase in attendance. Commercial exhibitor numbers are increasing by nearly 130 companies for a total of 350 exhibitors, a 35% increase from 2013.
From four trade halls to seven trade halls, the event will maximize the Stratford Rotary Complex in its entirety.
Why such rapid growth? Founder and general manager Jordon Underhill claims two reasons.
“The Canadian dairy industry is vibrant and hungry for the latest in global technology and education.
“Secondly, the XPO is custom built with the producer always top of mind. We do a lot of listening at various producer events and meetings; we lean heavy on the input from the CDX Steering Committee. We listen at the producer level and then make every effort to deliver what they want, hence the positioning statement of ‘Your Canadian Dairy Showcase.’”
Between the dairy-focussed tradeshow, the world – class Dairy Classroom speaker program, the Global Dairy Summit Meeting, live innovation demos, complimentary breakfast and CheeseFEST, event organizers estimate the value proposition to exceed $100, all for the general admission rate of $25.
“There is immense pride in our dairy industry” states Paul McLeod from Darcroft Farms and former President of Holstein Canada.
“CDX offers business and social opportunity and both are equally important to Canadian dairy producers. We can learn from each other and from the dairy focussed commercial exhibitors. At the inaugural CDX I saw producers that I see every week and I saw producers that I haven’t seen in over a decade. Everyone comes together, which is part of the magic behind CDX in my opinion.”
Each tradeshow hall carries a theme this year to aid producers in efficient travel through the XPO and to help with comparing technologies across multiple brands. See 15 different brands of TMR mixers in one hall; hay and forage equipment, milking and manure equipment and of course 5 milking robots side-by-side for the first time in the world.
There are four free-stall robots and the new tie-stall robot, all operating in demo mode in the popular Britespan Cow Coliseum.
“My family was unable to attend CDX in 2013, but it sounds like we missed out,” states Deb Knapton, of Knapview Farms.
‘’We will make the time to attend in 2014, as we are continuously trying to improve efficiencies around our farm. We want to set-up the next generation for success, so having a Canadian dairy focussed event that brings all facets together, including education, is imperative to both our on-farm success and the success of the industry overall.” Knapton is one of the recent CDX social media trivia participants, winning CDX swag and tickets for her family. Representing Knapview Farms from Almonte Ontario; Deb, her husband Merlin and daughter Ashley plan to attend at least one day of CDX this year.
The Maizex Dairy Classroom will again hold a power packed line-up of international speakers, on both days of CDX this year.
Back by popular demand is the Global Dairy Summit Meeting, also held in the Maizex Dairy Classroom, bringing together six producers from five countries to talk global trends and operating procedures within each respective country.
French translation services are available for French speaking producers; seating for 500 plus and two large jumbo screens will captivate attending producers.
Ayrshire Canada and CDX are organizing a bus trip for Ayrshire breeders from Québec and Eastern Ontario. “We are very excited to be working with CDX for this first time ever event.
The fact the XPO has made effort to include the large population of dairy farms in Québec, speaks to its mandate to build a national platform for all Canadian producers”, states Lora Bender of Ayrshire Canada.
“The trip offers a great affordable opportunity to experience CDX and to take in all the show has to offer for the dairy industry.”
The Ayrshire Adventure bus is slated to arrive onsite in Stratford on the first morning of CDX.
Event organizers say they have a special surprise for producers before they even enter the gates of CDX 2014.
A massive 40ft wide LED TV screen set-up in the parking lot will launch a compelling pride in dairy video, going viral the first day of CDX.
“The future looks extremely bright for the Canadian dairy industry and the Canadian Dairy XPO. If you’re cow crazy, CDX is the place to be,” organizers state.
Dates for the 2014 Canadian Dairy XPO are Feb. 5 and 6 – at the Stratford Rotary Complex.
For more details contact marketing manager Donna Powell 226-381-0282 Ext. 4, email donna@roievents.ca, or visit www.dairyxpo.ca.
