UK Dairy Day success promises exciting 2015 event

UK Dairy Day promises to be even bigger and better next year, after enjoying success last month.

The inaugural event attracted more than 6200 visitors, 92% of whom said they were ‘very happy’ in exit polls; and over 200 trade stands, many of which are already seeking to re-book for next year. Building on that success and in response to feedback throughout the day, organisers are planning some exciting developments for the next event, which will be held on Wednesday, 16th September, 2015, at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire.

“The location and timing of UK Dairy Day makes it a key event for dairy producers seeking information, advice and support ahead the autumn and winter period,” says organiser Lynette Smale. “Visitors to this year’s event clearly appreciated the business-like approach, with seminars and exhibitors really focussing on boosting on-farm profits.”

Seminars that proved particularly popular included new launches by DeLaval and NWF to help farmers to boost herd productivity, as well as new research on digital dermatitis from Provita. “Visitors were also keen to hear about milk market developments from the NFU, and to take home top marketing tips from our social media seminar,” she adds.

“Next year’s UK Dairy Day will focus on helping farmers to grow their business, with seminars to be held upstairs alongside a young farmers’ zone and catering facilities. This will free up more space on the ground floor for trade stands, which will also benefit from a prominent new external area. Foot trimming demonstrations will run continuously throughout the day, and there will be a new business networking forum,” says Miss Smale.

“We have secured additional free parking, zoned by area from the direction travelled, making arriving to the event congestion free – and road works in Telford will be completed to revert from a one-way system to two-way, making for easier departure.”

With many exhibitors wanting to pre-book trade stand space for next year, the UK Dairy Day team will be offering priority booking to 2014 stand holders from November, before welcoming new bookings in January. “We will also be extending the opening hours to 8am-6pm, enabling visitors to get as much from the day as they possibly can.”