February 1, 2021 at 1:38 a.m.
Central Plains Dairy Expo slated for March 24-25
Extensive COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place
This year, however, the Central Plains Dairy Expo will be held March 24-25 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Extensive precautions will be taken to make the expo experience as safe as possible for all who attend.
“The health and the safety of expo attendees and exhibitors is our top priority,” said Renee Brod, associate executive director of the Central Plains Dairy Association. “Because of this, we made the tough decision to forgo holding a welcome concert this year.”
The Central Plains Dairy Expo will kick off with the Ag Prayer Breakfast, which will be held at 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 24. The doors of the Denny Sanford Premier Center will open at 6:30.
“The first 300 attendees at the Ag Prayer Breakfast will receive a free hot bag breakfast,” Brod said. “Socially distanced tables will be placed on the floor of the Premier Center. The bleachers will also be opened up for seating during the breakfast.”
Some of the enhanced health safety measures include up to 4,000 masks that will be made available by Zoetis. Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the venue. The side curtains of the exhibitors’ booths have been increased from 3 feet tall to 8 feet tall.
The city of Sioux Falls currently has a mask mandate. This mandate is set to expire March 13.
“If the mask mandate is extended, we will require that all attendees wear masks,” Brod said. “If the mandate is not extended, masking will be encouraged but won’t be required. We will continue to ask that all exhibitors wear masks, if possible.”
Brod encourages attendees to go online to preregister for the expo.
“Preregistering will greatly streamline the check-in for attendees,” Brod said. “There will be iPads placed at entry points that will be used for a fast and contactless check-in. Preregistration will make check-in a 30-second experience and will greatly reduce congestion.”
All attendees should register online at least 30 days prior to the expo. To register, visit ww.centralplainsdairy.com/registration.
A free mobile app is also available to help attendees keep track of events during the expo. The app can be found at www.centralplainsdairy.com/mobile-app.
“The mobile app will send out push notifications that will provide expo attendees with information about the industry-sponsored educational breakout sessions and other announcements,” Brod said.
Capacity limits will be set for the breakout session rooms. The breakout session venues are also being expanded to make room for proper social distancing.
The Wine and Cheese Social is slated to take place on the evening of Wednesday, March 24. The food and beverages will be prepackaged and will be served by Sanford Premier Center staff.
All Sanford Premier Center staff members will undergo daily health screenings, including temperature checks. The staff will follow all COVID-19 safety protocols and will wear personal protective equipment. Sanford Premier Center staff will be constantly cleaning surfaces during the expo.
A free pancake breakfast, which will be sponsored by Agropur, will be held the morning of Thursday, March 25. Touch-free coffee dispensers will be located throughout the venue. Contactless, card-only transaction concessions will also be available.
“The safety of our expo attendees and exhibitors is paramount,” said Kristopher Bousquet, Central Plains Dairy Association president. “We are taking precautions and adhering to Denny Sanford Premier Center, ASM Global VenueShield Program and Centers for Disease Control (and Prevention) recommendations and checklists. We will do everything in our power to help you model the good behavior that we’re being told will keep you safe and feeling comfortable This year’s expo will provide attendees with a safe way to interact, in person, with dairy industry representatives and others in the industry.”
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