CheeseCon 2027: Madison, April 20–22. Three days of dairy processing education and a 75,000 sq ft tabletop floor for cheese, butter, whey and cultured dairy buyers.
Dates
20–22 Apr 2027
City / country
Madison, United States
Venue
Alliant Energy Center
Time
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Event overview
CheeseCon 2027 brings the U. S.
cheese, butter, whey and cultured dairy processing industry to Madison, Wisconsin, for three days of technical education, supplier sourcing and peer networking. Hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research, the show combines seminars on cheesemaking, food safety, automation and sustainability with a 75,000-square-foot tabletop exhibit floor.
Buyers meet ingredient, packaging, sanitation, processing and lab suppliers, while plant teams compare equipment and services in a focused, trade-only setting. The 2027 edition runs April 20–22 at the Alliant Energy Center, with the exhibit hall open Wednesday, April 21.
TL;DR
Visit to compare processing, packaging, sanitation and ingredient suppliers in one hall, and to sit in on seminars built around real plant problems. The 75,000-square-foot tabletop floor is compact enough to cover in a day, while the Madison setting puts cheesemakers, QA teams and dairy researchers in the same rooms.
Exhibit because CheeseCon concentrates decision-makers from cheese, butter, whey and cultured dairy plants on one tabletop floor. A 10x10 space puts a supplier in front of plant managers, QA leads and buyers who are actively sourcing equipment, ingredients and services, with seminars and networking carrying conversations beyond the booth.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
1Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713, United States
Entrances & gates
Main Gate
From Rimrock Road on the southeast side of campus.
Rusk Gate
From Rusk Avenue on the south side; often open alongside the Main Gate.
Expansive on-site parking is available around the campus; enter via the Main or Rusk Gate and follow event signage.
Food options
Sodexo Live! catering
On-site diningParking: On-site lots surround Exhibition Hall. Use the Main Gate from Rimrock Road or the Rusk Gate from Rusk Avenue and follow signs to the exhibition hall; allow extra time on the exhibit morning.
Gate: Four campus entryways: Main Gate (Rimrock Road), Nolen Gate (John Nolen Drive), Olin Gate (Olin Avenue) and Rusk Gate (Rusk Avenue).
Attend
Event days & opening times
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring a photo ID and your registration confirmation to the registration desk in Exhibition Hall.
Ticket notes
2027 rates have not been published. Registration is required; the 2025 one-day processor rate was $99, with full and single-day passes also offered.
Build-up & tear-down
What's on
Championship Cheese Auction
A charity auction of gold-medal cheeses, butters and yogurts from the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, raising funds for WCMA scholarships, training and dairy research.
sourceU.S. Champions Awards Banquet
An awards banquet recognising dairy processors, Master Cheesemakers and industry champions during CheeseCon.
sourceHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
Visitors: 3,000
Exhibitors: 350
This edition
2027
Visitors: 3,200
Exhibitors: 350
Floor area: 6,968 sqm
Next edition
Not announced yet
New this edition
75,000-square-foot tabletop floor
The 2027 floor is promoted at 75,000 square feet, with tabletop exhibits open on one day.
SourceImpact
CheeseCon matters to buyers who need to resolve plant-level problems: yield, food safety, labour, packaging and wastewater. The tabletop format keeps the supplier set focused on dairy processing rather than broad food and beverage, so a visit produces specific shortlists instead of general market scanning.
Audience quality
The audience is narrow and operational: plant managers, QA and food safety staff, cheesemakers, maintenance leads and procurement teams from U.S. cheese and dairy processing companies, plus suppliers, academics and government specialists. Seniority is high enough that technical shortlists can turn into purchasing conversations.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI comes from concentrated exposure to dairy processors rather than footfall volume. A tabletop booth is inexpensive relative to a full stand, and the one-day exhibit window rewards exhibitors who pre-book meetings and use seminars and receptions to qualify leads; no rebooking or satisfaction data is published.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Wisconsin is the largest U.S. cheese producer and Madison concentrates dairy research, processor headquarters and supplier expertise. CheeseCon is the sector’s annual technical meeting point, so participation signals access to the buyers who specify cultures, equipment, packaging and sanitation systems across the Upper Midwest and beyond.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Automation and labour resilience
Cheese plants are automating cutting, packaging, sanitation and quality inspection to offset persistent labour shortages and protect throughput.
What it changes: Suppliers with proven, easy-to-integrate automation get serious attention from plant teams trying to run existing lines with fewer operators.
Food safety and environmental monitoring
Processors are tightening environmental monitoring, pathogen controls and sanitation verification as scrutiny of dairy recalls and contamination risks increases.
What it changes: QA and food safety teams attend with live monitoring problems, making the show a strong venue for lab, testing and sanitation providers.
Higher-protein and value-added dairy
Demand for high-protein cheese, whey ingredients, yogurt and dairy beverages is pushing processors toward new separation, filtration and formulation technology.
What it changes: Ingredient and processing suppliers that can improve protein recovery or product consistency have a clear commercial story for dairy processors.
CheeseCon sits in a wider Upper Midwest circuit of dairy and food processing trade shows. Buyers often pair it with the biennial CheeseExpo in Milwaukee and with packaging or processing shows in Chicago.
CheeseExpo 2026
Milwaukee, United States
Hosted by WCMA and CDR at the Baird Center; larger exhibit floor and a separate registration cycle. Dates from the official 2026 announcement.
websitePack Expo International 2026
Chicago, United States
Large packaging and automation exhibition; dates are circuit knowledge and should be confirmed before booking.
websiteProcess Expo 2027
Chicago, United States
Broad food and beverage processing equipment show; dates are circuit knowledge and should be confirmed before booking.
websiteSpring dairy circuit
Both are WCMA/CDR events; check whether exhibitor and attendee passes overlap.
Core CheeseCon and CheeseExpo dates from official pages; Process Expo and Pack Expo dates are circuit knowledge.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest airport; nonstop service to major hubs and a short taxi or rideshare to the Alliant Energy Center.
6 mi
to venue
15 min
by car
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Larger airport with more nonstops; rent a car or take a coach for the 80-mile drive.
80 mi
to venue
1 hr 30 min
by car
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
International gateway; allow 3 hours in traffic and consider an overnight before the show.
145 mi
to venue
2 hr 30 min
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–160 / night
Free parking is common; a 15–20 minute drive to the venue.
USD 175–245 / night
Walkable to restaurants and a 10–15 minute drive or rideshare to Exhibition Hall.
USD 260–360 / night
Full-service stays with lake or Capitol views; book early for the April dates.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Madison Metro bus
Cash or the fare app; stops are adjacent to the campus gates.
Rideshare / taxi
Rideshare pickup is easiest at the main entrance; allow extra time on the exhibit morning.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor | Visitors who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program | $185.00 | Several weeks to months | |
| ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | Eligible passport holders from VWP countries | $21.00 | Usually minutes to 72 hours |
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents need no visa. Canadian citizens generally need no visa for business visits.
The U.S. accepts ATA carnets for eligible professional equipment and displays; confirm the carnet covers the goods with U.S. Customs and Border Protection before shipping.
Official visa pageWeather
April in Madison is cool and changeable: highs around 12–17°C (54–62°F), lows around 2–6°C (35–43°F), with rain possible. Pack a warm layer and a waterproof jacket.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is usually available in the venue’s public areas; mobile coverage is strong. Bring a hotspot for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Wisconsin supper club culture
A supper club dinner is the local way to entertain a client; expect old-fashioneds, fish fry and a relaxed pace.
Cheese is a point of pride
Wisconsin producers are proud of grading, Master Cheesemaker credentials and championship awards. Ask about a company’s award entries rather than treating cheese as a commodity.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: MSN (Dane County Regional)
Book 6–8 weeks out; Madison fares rise sharply when the university has a home event.
Book flightsMost European and Canadian business visitors travel visa-free or under the Visa Waiver Program; other nationalities need a B-1 visa.
Estimated cost: $21 ESTA or $185 B-1 visa
Processing: 72 hours for ESTA; weeks for a visa
Check ESTA eligibility before booking and carry a printed invitation.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Rideshare or taxi from MSN, about 15 minutes and $18–30; Madison Metro bus is cheaper but slower.
Hotel → venue: Drive or rideshare 10–20 minutes from downtown; buses serve John Nolen Drive and Rimrock Road.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate in Madison; pickup at the main gate is easiest.
Public transit: Madison Metro routes stop along John Nolen Drive, Olin Avenue and Rimrock Road, adjacent to the campus.
Parking: On-site paid parking surrounds Exhibition Hall; enter via the Main or Rusk Gate and allow 20 minutes on the show morning.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April
Temperature: 2–17°C (35–62°F)
Seasonality: Spring rain and gusty winds are common; snow is possible early in the month.
Packing: Bring a warm layer, waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for the campus walk.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Wednesday, April 21
The tabletop exhibit floor is open only on Wednesday, and the seminars and main networking run alongside it. Arrive Tuesday for the opening reception if you want extra relationship time.
Book travel and hotel — Compare MSN fares and downtown hotel rates; confirm cancellation terms.
Register and check the schedule — Buy the pass that matches your days and note the Wednesday exhibit day.
Build a supplier shortlist — Pick 10–15 exhibitors and write one question for each.
Download the app and pack — Save the floor map, session list and badge confirmation; pack a warm layer.
Confirm meetings and route — Reconfirm three priority meetings and plan the drive or rideshare.
Arrive, collect badge and walk the hall
Exhibition Hall registrationPriority supplier meetings
Tabletop aislesTechnical seminar
Seminar roomLunch and peer introductions
Exhibition Hall concessionsSecond supplier round and lead capture
Tabletop aislesWisconsin State Capitol
City Landmark
10 min drive from the venue
Free self-guided tours and views over Capitol Square, close to downtown hotels.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Garden
15 min drive from the venue
A calm break with indoor tropical and outdoor Wisconsin gardens.
The Edgewater bar
Hotel bar
Lakefront setting for a quiet client conversation after the show.
Great Dane Pub & Brewing
Pub
Central, informal and good for group dinners near Capitol Square.
Tabletop shows generate compact, high-intent conversations. A 48-hour follow-up preserves recall, while a two-week technical step separates real projects from casual interest.
Budget
Shell scheme
USD 220–280 / m²
Raw space
USD 150–200 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
CheeseCon sells tabletop space rather than raw square metres. Raw-space bands are a planning comparison only.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · tabletop
USD 1600–1900 / per 9 sqm
hotel
both · budget
USD 110–160 / per night
hotel
both · mid
USD 175–245 / per night
hotel
both · premium
USD 260–360 / per night
per_diem
both · standard
USD 50–85 / per day
parking
both · venue
USD 10–15 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | tabletop | USD 1600–1900 / per 9 sqm | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | budget | USD 110–160 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 175–245 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | premium | USD 260–360 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| per_diem | both | standard | USD 50–85 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| parking | both | venue | USD 10–15 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Answer six quick questions to see whether CheeseCon is worth a visit, a booth, or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
Which best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a live plant problem, a supplier shortlist and a budget for travel.
Best for
Dairy processors, QA and plant teams sourcing equipment, ingredients or services
Min. budget
$500.00
Timeline
2–6 months before a project
Risks
One-day floor limits casual browsing
April weather can disrupt travel
exhibit
You want concentrated access to U.S. dairy processors and can staff a tabletop.
Best for
Suppliers of processing, packaging, ingredients, sanitation or lab services
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
6+ months before the show
Risks
Tabletop only; no large equipment on the floor
WCMA membership required
skip
You have no supplier or sales goal and cannot act within the next quarter.
Best for
Consumer audiences, students without a dairy project, or teams with no budget
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing relationship-building with the dairy industry
Book with
Alliant Energy Center
Campus operator for Exhibition Hall, parking, catering and exhibitor services.
Venue resource, not an event sponsor.
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)
Closest airport, about 15 minutes from the venue, with nonstop service to major hubs.
Travel resource, not an event partner.
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Regional business network for Madison visitor and member services.
Regional resource, not an event partner.
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association
Co-host of CheeseCon and the trade body for Wisconsin cheese and dairy processors.
Co-host named on the official event site.
Recommended providers
Check B-1 visa and Visa Waiver Program eligibility.
Official destination site for hotel areas and rates.
Compare fares to MSN; MKE and ORD are fallback airports.
Alliant Energy Center exhibitor services
Order material handling, electricity and booth services through the venue.
Event cancellation and travel insurance quotes; confirm exhibitor liability cover separately.
State tourism site for Madison and Dane County add-ons.
Mobile badge scanning and CRM export; confirm compatibility before the show.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
7
References
5
Publishers
7
Date checked
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association / Center for Dairy Research
CheeseCon
WCMA
WDS Construction
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
