The International Milk Haulers Association marked its 25th anniversary at this year’s gathering, which showcased the latest advancements and shared best practices in milk logistics and safety.
The 2025 IMHA Convention, which drew 310 professionals to Chandler, Arizona, is “where the dairy transportation industry’s leading fleet professionals, vehicle manufacturers, and component suppliers are found,” IMHA leaders said in a news release. “It is North America’s premier event for dairy transportation, offering networking with fleets from various countries while providing top education sessions.’’
The dairy transportation industry event, held April 27-29, featured inspirational keynote speaker Rudy Ruettiger, whose life as a football player at the University of Notre Dame was depicted in the 1993 film “Rudy,” and a welcome address by Roland Mader, an administrator with the University of Arizona’s food safety consortium. Additionally, attendees engaged in a series of educational sessions that highlighted industry challenges, opportunities, and technological advancements in dairy logistics and fleet management solutions; and networking opportunities allowed participants to exchange ideas and foster collaboration.
This year’s expert panels and roundtable discussions on technology and tank seals spotlighted the synergy between tradition and technology in the evolving landscape of milk logistics, IMHA reported. Each session provided insights into the regulatory and operational challenges facing the dairy transportation industry and advanced the dialogue on safety and sustainability.
Purposeful networking included the opportunity to participate in new IMHA games: the milk hole competition and a scavenger hunt. IMHA’s Meetings and Events committee also ensured attendees enjoyed their downtime with entertainment provided by The Grant Brothers, along with the opportunity to win cash prizes.
Gila River awards banquet
The convention’s awards banquet was held in the Showroom at Gila River Resorts & Casinos’ Wild Horse Pass. The banquet program kicked off with the association’s annual fleet safety contest, which recognizes members in good standing that have the best record of safe dairy transportation operations in the U.S. and Canada.
The program also included support for the future of agriculture with a fundraiser for AAEC South Mountain FFA Club in Phoenix, raising $4,400 to aid the students’ agricultural education, and underlining the industry’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Leadership and governance
The 25th-anniversary edition of IMHA’s convention celebrated the association’s past and future with past board presidents and members in attendance. The organization began as the National Federation of Milk Hauler Associations in 1972 and changed its name to International Milk Haulers Association in 2000. Board members who were an integral part of the association’s evolution shared their insights and emphasized the importance of industry cooperation.
The election of new board members included Webb Boyd, Early Trucking, Georgia; Kevin Capson, Beckstead Milk Transport, Ontario, Canada; and Gib Martin, Mount Joy Farmers Coop, Pennsylvania. The association also elected new officers, naming Boyd vice president and Skyler Sherrod, WDT Logistics, as president. They’ll help steer IMHA through the next phase of its strategic iniatives.
Looking ahead
This year’s annual meeting concluded with a commitment to continuous improvement in dairy transport and a call to all stakeholders to contribute to a sustainable and efficient future.
The 2026 IMHA Convention is set for April 13-15, 2026, in Dallas, Texas.