The Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) is planning to return to Stratford, Ontario, for a live dairy industry showcase on April 6 and 7, 2022.
CDX has not run its traditional tradeshow since 2019 — the event was cancelled in 2020 and a virtual program was presented in 2021.
“Things will look different,” says CDX founder and president Jordon Underhill who concedes that there still many unknowns with the show just under six months away. He is encouraged, however, after visiting the recent World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, an event that had been cancelled in 2020.
“It felt the same in terms of energy and optimism,” says Underhill. He reports solid attendance and “people were really happy to reconnect with industry and their fellow producers.”
Canada’s ag tradeshow industry has seen a resurgence in recent weeks as modified live events have returned and more tradeshow organizations have announced their intentions to stage in-person events. Last month, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show took to the field in Woodstock, Ont., while Albert’s FarmTech announced plans for a hybrid live/virtual show on January 25 and 26.
COVID-19 protocols will play a key role in determining the final shape of CDX, and Underhill notes that the return to an in-person show will carry a bolt on virtual component with educational seminars being streamed virtually.
CDX will attempt to ramp up the social aspect of the event by turning one hall into a social courtyard with food, live music and plenty of seating that’s well spread out and spaced. Underhill is also looking forward to exhibitors returning with a range of innovation and products for dairy producers.
In this interview with RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin, Underhill also discusses plans to make the new Canadian Poultry XPO (CPX) part of the dairy event. The poultry show was intended to be a separate event, but the pandemic has prevented an independent launch. For 2022, CPX will become part of the dairy show — a poultry production hall will be added featuring poultry technology and innovation as well as an education program geared to new entrants to the industry.
(Listen to Bernard Tobin and Jordon Underhill from CDX discuss plans for the April 6 and 7 dairy showcase.)
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