Innovation and New Technology Short Course

Innovation is more than a noun…it’s an active verb and this 2.5 day, first of its kind program held at the University of Wisconsin’s Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery (MSABD) building will explore what innovation is and how to leverage it for growing your business. The primary objective of the program is to explore and thoroughly understand innovative thinking and changing mindsets top-down, laterally, or bottom-up for business growth leveraging innovation and technology*. To accomplish this objective, a group of nationally and internationally recognized visionary thought-leaders will work collaboratively with academic experts in the state-of-the-art MSABD to work though innovation and technology concepts using a blend of classroom presentations and in-plant interactive production-focused sessions. A select number of featured cutting-edge technologies, spanning ingredient, equipment, and automation will be demonstrated to support your discovery of new ideas.

The participants will also explore the innovative thinking process through a hands-on interactive innovation exercise starting with a creative session, moving through an innovation & technology integration phase, and concluding with a creative report out (i.e. sales pitch). If you’re a decision maker or involved in important business growth matters (e.g. middle to upper management or C-suite), this program is directly targeted to you.

Topics Covered

• Visionary Innovation & Technology
• Leveraging Consumer Data to Invest in Innovations
• Introduction to AI in the Animal Ag Industry
• Research Based Approaches for AI in the Meat Industry
• Innovation & Emerging Technology in the Ingredient Space
• Interactive Innovation Thinking Exercise
  Emerging Water
• Usage/Sustainability/Sanitation Approaches
• Innovative Solutions to Complex Customer Needs
• Initiatives Towards Factories of the Future
• Innovative Research for Advancing Equipment Innovation
• Equipment Innovation Interactive Showcase: Production (In-plant)
• Equipment Innovation Interactive Showcase: Production (Interactive)
• Business Expansion Through Innovative Thinking
• Strategic Innovation: Entrepreneurial Practices for Industry Growth
• Using Accelerated Innovation to Grow Value
• Connecting Partners for Innovation (Panel)
• Interactive Innovation Thinking Exercise (innovation concept-to-conceptualization small working group activity)

Registration is $1450 per person.

Late registration begins 9/29/2026 and is $1550.

Registration closes 10/6/2026.

Course fee includes course materials & handouts, refreshments, lunches, a Wednesday evening reception, and local transportation between the Embassy hotel and the MSABD building.​

Lodging, parking, and other meals are not included.

Change in Plans? ​

You may substitute another person at any time prior to the start of the course. If you need to cancel your registration after September 16, you may receive a refund less a $50.00 processing fee. If you cancel your registration between September 23 and the start of the course, no refund will be issued. If you fail to cancel, no refund will be issued.​

​If you have questions regarding registration or otherwise, ​

Please contact Ky Peters at kpeters26@wisc.edu