Planning to attend an event can be reason for excitement or procrastination. Possibly, a bit of both. Hoard's Dairyman is excited to share a free smartphone and tablet application to help you prepare for World Dairy Expo.

The app can be used on both Apple and Android systems, and if you don't have access to a smartphone, a computer with internet access can provide you with the tools you will need to plan your trip to the premier dairy event.

If your interest is the cattle shows and sales, check the app for show schedules and locations. Last year 2,500 head graced the grounds and were part of seven breed shows which were highlighted with Supreme Champion honors for the junior and open shows.

If it's the trade show that has your machinery moving, then there is a lot to see! Expect to find the latest technology and services available from over 800 vendors. Make your trip less stressful by planning your booth stops. Locate the exhibitor you want to see and find their spot on the map. With the New Holland Trade Center making its debut this year, several exhibitors have moved locations and new ones have been added. We don't want you to miss any of them!

If World Dairy Expo is where you come to learn from fellow producers, all of the seminars and virtual farm tours are also listed so you know when and where they are held. We also have the backgrounds on all of the speakers at your fingertips. Is their specialty nutrition, milk quality, animal care or agricultural law? It is all there!

After a long day at the show a great meal awaits! We have included several dining establishments on the app, divided by cuisine type. Steakhouses, pizza parlors and diners, are shared with phone numbers and addresses. Early morning coffee houses, dessert parlors and Madison pubs are also listed. Organize a few friends and take in some Madison hospitality.

All trade show exhibitors are listed on the app. Sponsoring companies have also provided information for attendees to learn about their products and philosophies. Many have videos, white papers and descriptions of their company right on the app. Learn about them before the show or while you are waiting for the next class to enter the ring.

With so much to do at the event, the app provides a calendar allowing you to enter your Expo activities. View a seminar, click on the star, and its automatically added to your schedule! Personalize the app with your own meetings and events.

There are plenty of additional features to the app like "locate me," photos and a link to Hoard's at Expo news, but we'll let you discover them for yourself!