The 2023 International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit commenced at the McCormick Place in downtown Chicago, Illinois on Monday.
Recognized as the largest conference in the dairy industry globally, this year’s IDF World Dairy Summit revolves around the theme of “Boundless Potential, Endless Possibilities” and will continue until Thursday.
Piercristiano Brazzale, President of IDF, emphasized the significance of innovation during his speech at the opening ceremony. He articulated that innovation involves the introduction of new strategies in designing, producing, and marketing goods and services, leading to positive change. In addition, innovation propels us forward and helps us maintain our position as industry leaders.
Brazzale also stated that innovation can guide our sector towards increased resources and resilience.
“Globalization compels companies to explore innovative tactics for penetrating global markets,” explained Brazzale. He further affirmed IDF’s dedication to ensuring food safety.
Chinese company Yili Group Ltd. was acknowledged with the “Innovation in New Product Development with Focus on Food Safety and Consumer Nutrition” award and the “Innovation in Sustainable Packaging” award at the opening ceremony.
Richard Walton, an IDF judge for the innovation award, commended Yili’s contribution to the market. Holding a Yili milk box, he complimented the packaging for its appealing design and recyclability, stating that it does not rely on ink.
Walton particularly highlighted Yili’s creation of a cheese lollipop as an innovative idea that he had never previously encountered. He further praised Yili for making dairy goodness and probiotics accessible in regions where they were previously unavailable.
Yili Vice President Yun Zhanyou expressed that innovation is crucial for the high-quality advancement of the dairy industry. He emphasized that Yili will prioritize the needs of their customers and foster innovation to generate more prospects within the global dairy industry.
Yun was elected by representatives from over 30 countries to become a member of the IDF Board, making him the sole representative from China.
Throughout the four-day gathering, dairy experts and professionals from various nations will delve into topics such as dairy innovation, sustainable development, inspiration, and collective problem-solving.
