2026 Forum Partners
What 2026 Proved
The working theory for the inaugural Irish Dairy Forum was straightforward. Ireland's dairy sector rarely meets in the same room with the same agenda. The volume producers, the artisan makers, the B2B supply base and the retail buyers move in adjacent commercial orbits that touch less often than anyone involved would admit. The 2026 forum set out to test whether the sector wanted the conversation enough to show up for it.
It did.
Volume producers came. Artisan and farmhouse cheesemakers came. The B2B supply base came. Retail buyers came. The two days ran the way they were meant to. People had conversations that turned into commercial work. Producers found processors. Retailers met makers they had not previously seen, and suppliers reached the producers who actually buy from them. Collaborations came out of the room that would not have come out of a conference hall or a trade fair.
That is the foundation that 2027 will be built on.
The 2027 forum returns to Ireland, venue and dates to be confirmed. The format holds. Two days. Volume and artisan producers in the same programme. The supply base in the same building. Retail buyers in the same conversations.
What changes is the scale of each.
Speaker numbers go up. The programme widens across buyer-side representation, nutrition, sustainability compliance, route-to-market, and the operational questions now sitting on both ends of the producer base. The sponsorship framework has been rebuilt to accommodate the demand that 2026 generated and the inventory could not meet. And delegate capacity increases, with the additional places held back for retail and foodservice buyers and for the producers who could not get in last year.
What is the Irish Dairy Forum?
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 Dairy Connect and supported 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 forum will be hosted by Dairy Connect and supported by 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.
Why should you attend the Irish Dairy Forum
For Irish Dairy Delegates
- A forum built specifically around Irish dairy challenges and opportunities
- Direct engagement with policy makers national agencies and industry bodies
- Insight that translates into commercial action
- A platform where artisan and large-scale producers are equally represented.
For Speakers
- Influence within a nationally significant sector
- A senior, focused industry audience
- Opportunity to shape dialogue at a defining time for Irish dairy
- Association with a credible, forward-facing national platform.
For Sponsors
- Strategic alignment with Ireland’s € multi-billion dairy sector
- Meaningful brand visibility within a trusted industry setting
- Direct access to domestic producers and scaling enterprises
- Long-term positioning within a growing national industry movement.
For Exhibitors
- Curated exhibition space limited and intentional
- High-value conversations with real decision-makers
- Access to artisan, scaling and export-ready Irish dairy businesses
- Commercial opportunity within a focused industry ecosystem.
Irish Dairy Forum 2027
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 and distribitors
- 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 event designed to generate meaningful conversations, not footfall metrics.
Dairy Connect Dinner
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.
The Programme
Day One – Wednesday 15 April
Event build and exhibitor preparation
SDT Southern Ireland Regional Meeting: Advances In Dairy Processing Technology | 1pm- 5pm
Including presentations from DPTC, AEDIL CoVE
Networking evening with cheese and whisky pairing hosted at the BIA Innovator Campus - 'celebrating women in dairy'
Day Two - Thursday 16 April
09:00 – 10:00 | Registration and coffee
10:00 – 10:15 | Official launch of Dairy Connect Ireland
Artisan & Small Producer Sessions
10:30 - From Story to Proof: What Buyers Now Expect from Artisan Producers
11:30 - Modern Dairy Demand: Where Growth Is Really Coming From
Large & Scaling Producers Open Sessions
10:30 - Sustainability Has Become a Procurement Requirement
11:30 - Nutrition as a Growth Engine, Not a Claims Game
12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch and networking
Artisan & Small Producer Sessions
13.30 - Productivity Without Losing Soul
14.30 - Packaging, Shelf-Life and Trust: Your New Route-to-Market Engine
15:30 - From Maker to Market: Growing Without Becoming Generic
Large & Scaling Producers Open Sessions
13.30 - Productivity by Design: How Margin Will Be Won in 2026
14.30 - Packaging, Shelf-Life and Transparency as Strategic Assets
15:30 - Resilience as a Growth Capability
18:30 - 00:00 Dairy Connect Ireland Dinner & Awards Ceremony
Exhibitors & Partners
Why Exhibit
Exhibitors join a curated environment that prioritises quality engagement over scale. The event brings together producers, buyers, educators, technologists, policymakers, and investors who are actively shaping Ireland’s dairy future.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Partnership packages are available for organisations wishing to profile leadership, innovation, sustainability, or technical capability.
Exhibitor Profiles
- Producers across cheese, dairy ingredients, and value-added
- Technical service providers
- Research and education institutions
- Packaging, sustainability, and systems innovators
Frequently asked questions
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.
- Artisan and large-scale producers
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.
- Sustainability: environmental performance, compliance, and future regulation
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.
- Direct exposure to leading voices shaping Ireland’s dairy future
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 Irish Cheese & Dairy Forum 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 Dairy Connect leadership programme, Dairy Mail intelligence platform, and future events planned across the wider Dairy Connect ecosystem.
Irish Cheese & Dairy Forum 2026
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