Cheese & Dairy Forum Ireland

A National Platform, an International Gateway

The BIA Innovator Cheese & Dairy Forum has been created to respond to a defining moment for the Irish dairy industry.

Convened at the BIA Innovator Campus and supported by Dairy Connect and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), the event has been designed as a national open forum dedicated to the Irish dairy sector. It brings together artisan and farmhouse cheesemakers, scaling producers, processors, retailers, researchers, policymakers and commercial partners from across the island of Ireland.

Ireland’s dairy industry stands at a clear point of inflection. Global demand for dairy products remains strong, yet producers and processors are operating within an increasingly complex environment — navigating intensifying sustainability requirements, sustained cost pressures, shifting trade routes and rising expectations from both buyers and consumers.

This gathering has therefore been structured as more than another industry exhibition. It is a joined-up platform that connects production excellence, commercial opportunity, leadership dialogue and sector recognition within a single, carefully curated forum. By bringing these elements together in one place, the BIA Innovator Campus aims to create the conditions for meaningful collaboration, practical solutions and the next phase of growth for the Irish dairy sector.

It represents the first purpose-built platform in Ireland designed to connect every tier of the dairy ecosystem within a single, focused strategic environment.

Hosted by the BIA Innovator Campus, and supported by Dairy Connect and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), the forum brings together the full breadth of the industry, including:

Primary milk producers and dairy farmers
Artisan and farmhouse cheesemakers
Scaling and export-focused processors
Retail and foodservice buyers
Researchers, technologists and academic institutions
Commercial suppliers and industry partners

Across the programme, the event combines:

Industry-led conference sessions addressing current sector challenges
Technical and commercial insight forums
Structured networking designed to foster collaboration across the value chain
Recognition of the role of women shaping the future of Irish dairy

This is not a generic trade exhibition. It is a curated dairy industry forum, grounded in the realities of the sector and designed to enable meaningful dialogue, practical collaboration and long-term opportunity for those working within Irish dairy.

Why convene this forum?

The Irish dairy industry remains one of the country’s most significant economic and cultural assets. Internationally respected for its grass-based production systems, premium product quality and world-class artisan and farmhouse cheesemaking, the sector continues to play a vital role in Ireland’s global food reputation.

However, the industry is currently navigating a period of structural change and increasing complexity, including:

Rising sustainability and environmental requirements
Continued consolidation across global dairy markets
Export volatility and shifting trade dynamics
Scaling and route-to-market challenges for small and mid-sized producers
The need for stronger collaboration across the domestic dairy ecosystem

The BIA Innovator Campus Dairy Forum, supported by Dairy Connect and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), has been convened to respond directly to these dynamics.

The purpose of the forum is simple but important: to strengthen the sector from within by creating a space for clarity, connection and commercial momentum among Irish dairy businesses with growth ambition.

Ultimately, the ambition is to ensure that Ireland’s dairy story is not only preserved, but advanced with confidence - supported by stronger collaboration, shared insight and a more connected industry.

A focused forum designed for quality engagement.

The FORUM brings together a carefully selected group of exhibitors and attendees, prioritising relevance and depth of conversation over scale.

Who Exhibits

Dairy producers
Dairy processors and ingredient specialists
Technical service providers
Packaging, sustainability, and systems innovators
Research and education institutions.

Why Exhibit

Exhibitors benefit from:

Direct access to producers, buyers, and sector leaders
A highly targeted professional audience
A platform aligned with innovation, sustainability, and leadership
Opportunities to engage within both the forum and wider programme.

This is an exhibition designed to generate meaningful conversations, not footfall metrics.

As part of the two-day Dairy Connect Ireland programme at the BIA Innovation Campus, Galway, the Southern Ireland SDT Regional Meeting will take place on 15 April, bringing the wider dairy industry together for a focused technical session on Advances in Dairy Processing.

This SDT meeting is designed to give delegates a practical deep dive into the latest applied research and capability-building initiatives shaping processing performance, efficiency and sustainability across the Irish dairy sector.

What to expect

Recent DPTC research projects

A technical update on work focused on enhancing evaporator and spray dryer efficiency — key operational levers for improving energy use, throughput and overall plant performance.

UCC Dairy CoVE project dissemination

An overview of the Dairy CoVE initiative, including project background and progress, and how its outputs are being translated into real-world learning and industry development.

Biomethane Development

A presentation from the Irish Bioeconomy Foundation exploring biomethane development and its relevance to decarbonisation pathways and future energy models for dairy operations.

Who should attend

Dairy processing and operations teams

• Engineering, energy and utilities stakeholders

• Technical and quality leaders

• Sustainability and ESG leads

• R&D, research and innovation teams

• Academics, students and industry partners interested in capability development

Registration and access - tickets are separate to the Dairy Connect Ireland event and can be ordered via the following link;

An evening of connection, leadership, and influence

On the Thursday evening of, Dairy Connect Ireland hosts the Dinner recognising Women in Dairy.

Who Attends

Senior producers and business leaders
Artisan & small producers
Sponsors and strategic partners
Judges and industry ambassadors
Influential voices from across the dairy ecosystem

Why It Matters

The dinner provides a rare opportunity for:

Networking in a relaxed, curated environment
Building relationships beyond transactional exchange
Aligning with the leadership narrative shaping the future of the dairy sector in Ireland

For sponsors and partners, this is where visibility becomes credibility.

Places are strictly limited to preserve the quality and integrity of the experience.

What is the BIA Innovator Campus Cheese & Dairy Forum?
The BIA Innovator Campus Dairy Forum, supported by Dairy Connect and the International Cheese & Dairy Awards (ICDA), is a national gathering bringing together producers, processors, retailers, technologists, educators and policymakers from across the Irish dairy sector.

Across two days, the forum combines networking, practical insight sessions and industry discussion focused on sustainability, innovation, systems thinking and export growth.
Who should attend?
The event is built for professionals across the dairy value chain, including:

Artisan and large-scale producers
Dairy processors and ingredient manufacturers
Retail and foodservice buyers
Technical specialists and consultants
Researchers, students, and educators
Policy and regulatory leaders
Innovation and sustainability practitioners

If your work touches any part of the dairy sector, the event offers insight, connection, and opportunity.
Where and when does the event take place?
Dates: Wednesday 15 April – Thursday 16 April
Location: BIA Innovator Campus, Ireland

Day One hosts the
SDT Regional Meeting followed by networking reception and cheese pairing.

Day Two includes the dairy forum and roundtable sessions.
What happens during the Connection Hub sessions?
These sessions are structured around three of the most pressing themes facing the Irish dairy sector:

Sustainability: environmental performance, compliance, and future regulation

Export Production: competitiveness, capacity, and global opportunity

Innovation Systems: technology adoption, process optimisation, and new product pathways

Each session blends expert insight with practical discussion, offering attendees a clear sense of the shifts shaping the sector and the actions that can drive resilience.
Can I exhibit at the event?
Yes. Exhibitor spaces are available for producers, technical partners, research organisations, sustainability specialists, and service providers. Exhibiting offers direct access to decision-makers seeking capability, innovation, and collaboration.

A downloadable exhibitor pack outlines stand options, pricing, and sponsorship opportunities.
What are the benefits of attending the event?
Attendees gain:

Direct exposure to leading voices shaping Ireland’s dairy future

Access to technical insight across sustainability, innovation, and systems development

Opportunities to build partnerships, commercial connections, and sector relationships

A route to understand market forces shaping both domestic and export opportunity

A place within the national conversation on dairy capability and resilience

The event is intentionally constructed to support both strategic thinking and practical application.
How do I register my interest?
You will be able to register directly through the website’s event page.

Registered participants will receive updates on programme developments and exhibitor announcements.
How can organisations become event partners or sponsors?
Partnerships are available for organisations wishing to profile leadership in sustainability, innovation, export systems, or technical excellence. Packages are tailored to ensure meaningful visibility and sector impact.

The event team can advise on the best fit for your objectives.
Is the Cheese & Dairy Forum Ireland part of a wider programme?
Yes. It forms part of a multi-year strategy designed to strengthen capability across the UK, Irish and global dairy sectors.

It sits alongside the CORE leadership programme, Dairy Mail intelligence platform, and future events planned across the wider Dairy Connect ecosystem.

Cheese & Dairy Forum

﻿15-16 April 2026

in conjunction with BIA Innovator Campus, Athenry

Cheese & Dairy Forum Partners

A National Platform, an International Gateway

What is the Irish Cheese & Dairy Forum?

Why convene this forum?

Why should you attend Cheese & Dairy Forum Ireland

For Irish Dairy Delegates

For Speakers

For Sponsors

For Exhibitors