Phoenix Milk Meeting 2024

Kris and I went to the NBD/NMPF/UDIA Joint Annual meeting in Phoenix. Isn't that a catchy name? It stands for the National Dairy and Promotion and Research Board / National Milk Producers Federation /  United Dairy Industry Association.

We go every year, as it's a meeting for about 500 people - dairy farmers and the people who work with us from across the country. Plus, Kris is on our milk co-op's board of directors, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan board, and he's also the treasurer of UDIA.

We flew direct from Detroit to Phoenix on Delta, and we stayed at the downtown Sheraton. We walked to Snooze, a great and cheery breakfast place. We ubered to the trailhead of Piestewa Peak, and we chose the most difficult and steepest path to the top - the Summit Trail, which was a double black diamond. It had great views, it was fun, and we paused near the top to watch the Detroit Lions win. Great hike all around! There are a variety of hikes available from there.

We took an uber to Huss Brewing Co, but it was in a strip mall and lacked personality. Our friend suggested Don Woods Say When, which is a rooftop place, and we liked that place a lot.

We went back to the hotel and met up with our friends - all dairy farmers.

"Are we having supper?" Doug asked.

"Who says supper anymore?" Aaron said.

Dairy farmers, that's who!

We walked to The Kettle Black, which happily accommodated our group of 10, and I had a great steak salad.

Day two

I asked the front desk person where I should run, and she gave me a map of murals. I ran around and saw lots of murals! Very fun and nice to have destinations. One of my favorites was of a very cheerful Roosevelt on a shiny building. I also ran around the ASU campus, which was decorated with colorful banners crisscrossing like we were in Mexico.

I ate a burrito at Matt's Big Breakfast, and the waitresses were so nice I thought we could be friends.

After working, Kris, Aaron, and I walked to Willy's Taco Joint, which was fair. I went to the pool on the 4th floor (it was hot!), and to a story garden across from our hotel. I wanted to walk to a gas station to buy a pop, and even a block away from ASU, there is a very large homeless population in Phoenix. I don't remember that from last time I was here. Lots of people passed out.

We took a bus with UDIM to Richardson's Restaurant, where I had a delicious burger and salad. We talked to our friends and agreed to be in a pickleball video soon! Chocolate milk is a sponsor, and I just started playing pickleball. Match made in heaven.

Day three

I ran to a rose garden that showed up on my map. Most of the roses were dead due to the time of year, but they did have a pomegranate shrub right there! I've never seen one, so that made me happy.

Kris was reelected as treasurer, and we headed to the meeting. We heard from a lot of interesting people, including the CEO of Domino's, the unfortunately-named Russell Weiner.

We went to the cheese reception, which has mountains of award-winning cheese.

Afterward, we went with a different group to Mancuso's, where I had the filet and tiramisu. My caloric intake at this meeting is insane.

Day four

I wanted to run to a new place, but my GPS was having a hard time, and I eventually was just happy to make it back to the hotel.

We went to two really interesting sessions.  'How we grow: Nutrition & Product Innovation Drive Demand' - Kris is on this committee and it's all about how marketing people and scientists come up with new dairy products. Loved it. We also had Yobark (yogurt snack food), Churro chillers (a Mexican shake), and cottage cheese ice cream!

We then went to 'What happened to TV ads? Promoting dairy in the digital age,' which was very interactive and we won cool items, like a backpack and gamer headset. Also, marketing people put it on, so that's always fun.

Then....a real trip highlight. We rode our first driverless car! 

These cars were everywhere in Phoenix, all the time. I downloaded the Waymo app, and it was like any rideshare app.

It pulled up and I unlocked it and opened the trunk by the app.

We loaded our stuff in, shut the doors, put on our seatbelts, and ... we were off!

It wasn't scary. The car behaved the way it was supposed to, and we traveled merrily from our hotel to the airport. It took about 20 minutes, and the car didn't speed at all. It cost a little less than an uber. It was super cool. Is this the first time of many? 

I marveled at how smart people are to invent new things. New food, driverless cars, it's all exciting and so impressive. 

Then, back home - to cars with drivers and normal eating habits.