2010 NAMSC-IMSI Annual Meeting to be Held in Ontario

The Annual Meetings of the North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC), the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) and the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association (OMSPA) will be held from October 20^th to 23^th, 2010 at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario.  The theme of Conference  is Sugaring 2010:Progress and Potential . OMSPA is hosting the international meeting  and a Planning Committee comprised of OMSPA members, government representatives and other volunteers has been laying the groundwork for the meeting for many months. OMSPA last hosted the NAMSC-IMSI Annual meeting forum in 1995 when the meetings were held at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston, Ontario. Many NAMSC and IMSI delegates as well as OMSPA members  will remember this meeting which drew an attendance of well over 300 participants from the maple producing regions of the United States and Canada.. NAMSC and IMSI are very active in supporting varied aspects of the maple syrup industry at the North American and International levels including communications, input to government  policy, research,development of standards and quality assurance.

There will be an opportunity for those in attendance to experience a very unique and beautiful region of Ontario, learn about  research ,the latest developments in production technology and successful marketing strategies. The meeting venue will also provide an excellent opportunity to renew acquaintances, network with others in the maple industry and make new friends.

The combined Annual meetings of NAMSC, IMSI and OMSPA will include a number of very important features including:

** Business Meetings for NAMSC, IMSI and OMSPA

** Maple Research and Practice Presentations

** Maple Quality Assurance and Marketing

** Maple Workshops and Demonstrations

** Companion Tours (Stratford and St. Jacob’s areas)

** Sugar Bush Tour (incl. other interesting features)

** Maple Products and Maple Photo Contests

** Entertainment and Delicious Food

Please contact Dave Chapeskie if you wish to place an ad in the conference booklet.

For further information contact:

Bill Robinson,

 2010 Conference Coordinator,

Telephone: 519-529-7857

E-mail: robinmap@hurontel.on.ca

Dave Chapeskie,

2010 Secretary and Chair –Technical and Marketing Program,

Telephone: 613-658-2329

Facsimile:    613-658-2897

E-mail: agrofor@ripnet.com