The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) hosted its annual CheeseCon 2025 conference and exhibition in Madison this April, drawing a crowd of industry professionals, suppliers, and vendors from across the country. WDS Construction proudly participated as one of the 350 exhibitors, continuing our longstanding support for WCMA and our commitment to the dairy and cheese industries.
Representing WDS this year were Tom White, Jason Culotta, Ben Westra, Tim Andrew, Charlie Vine, Tanner Dixon, and Jaimie Kok. With a bustling exhibit floor and an impressive lineup of educational seminars and networking events, CheeseCon once again proved to be a standout in the industry calendar.
The cheese industry is a tight-knit community where relationships are valued and nurtured. Events like CheeseCon provide a vital space to reconnect with clients, meet new prospects, and stay informed on trends and technical innovations shaping the future of cheesemaking.
Among the familiar faces who stopped by the WDS booth were Brady Schmidt and Kevin Scheibel of Cedar Valley Cheese. Congratulations to Brady for completing the WCMA’s Frontline Leadership Training Program this year—and to the Cedar Valley team for their award-winning shredded and block provolone entries in the championship cheese judging. Also joining us at the booth was Kara Lineal from Nelson-Jameson—great to see you, Kara!
In addition to the exhibit floor, CheeseCon is known for its strong emphasis on continuing education. Cheesemakers take their craft seriously, and the high attendance at technical sessions underscored the industry’s commitment to improvement, innovation, and quality.
One of the most exciting moments of the conference was the Championship Cheese Auction held Wednesday night. This high-energy event raises critical funds for industry programs, including scholarships and research through the Center for Dairy Research. In 2024, the auction raised more than $200,000—and this year’s auction continued that momentum. A standout moment? Ten pounds of Salted Butter from Foremost Farms’ Reedsburg plant sold for an incredible $1,600 per pound!
Equally inspiring is the generosity of the award-winning cheesemakers—42 in total—who donated their products to support WCMA’s mission. Bidding wars among supporting industries reflect not only excitement but also a deep sense of community and shared responsibility for the future of dairy.
At WDS, we’re proud to support the cheese and dairy industries through our specialized design and construction services. Events like CheeseCon are a reminder of the passion, dedication, and camaraderie that make this industry so unique—and we’re already looking forward to the next one.
