2024 Meet the Cheesemaker

 

Meet the Cheesemaker takes place during the ACS Annual Conference. The event enables producers of cheese and cultured dairy products to meet with and sample products to hundreds of key industry distributors, retailers, buyers, and food writers from throughout North America.

REGISTER FOR MEET THE CHEESEMAKER HERE

 

Date and Time of Meet the Cheesemaker

Friday, July 12
11:00 am – 2:30 pm: Meet the Cheesemaker Load In
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Retailer and Distributor Preview
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Open to all Attendees
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Meet the Cheesemaker Load Out

Shipping to Meet the Cheesemaker

Shipping to the Buffalo Convention CenterWe are finalizing shipping instructions, please check back for an update in May.

Hand Delivering to the Buffalo Convention Center before Meet the Cheesemaker on Friday, July 12th

  • Hand Deliveries in a vehicle that does not require a loading dock will be accepted between 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on July 9th and 10th at the convention center. Ask for the ACS Receiving Manager to check your product in upon your arrival.  Hand delivery is defined as anything that can be delivered by hand carrying or the use of a personal dolly to go to the receiving area.  If a shipment needs a larger flat cart, forklift, pallet jack, or loading dock to be delivered, it needs to be checked in by the contracted expo company.

Meet the Cheesemaker participants are responsible for costs associated with shipping and material handling if items are not hand-delivered. If a delivery needs dock space, a forklift, or larger than a personal dolly, material handling services will be required.

Exhibiting at Meet the Cheesemaker

To reserve a table at Meet the Cheesemaker, you must be an American Organizational Member of ACS who is eligible to enter our Judging & Competition. Table reservations for Meet the Cheesemaker are separate from your ACS Conference registration and must be processed using your Organizational Membership credentials. Space is limited, and reservations are open until all tables are filled.

Meet the Cheesemaker registration includes:

  • 2 staff
  • 1 skirted table, 2 chairs

Register for Meet the Cheesemaker here.

Meet the Cheesemaker Table FeesRateStart DateEnd Date
Early Bird$275March 5June 17
Regular$325June 18July 1

Attending Meet the Cheesemaker

Admission is open to all ACS Conference registrants (full registrants and Friday Day Pass holders).

If you are a registrant and would like to purchase additional passes, guest passes may be purchased during the Conference registration process, or by contacting the ACS office.

Marketplace Sponsors at Meet the Cheesemaker

Sponsors have the opportunity to add a non-cheese product table with sampling at Meet the Cheesemaker for $1,500. To participate you must be an Organizational Member of ACS.

Meet the Cheesemaker Marketplace Sponsor registration includes:

  • 2 Staff
  • 1 Networking Passes (for use by one staff attending Meet the Cheesemaker)
  • 1 skirted table, 2 chairs

Register as a Marketplace Sponsor here. Space is limited.

Please note that upon registration for the event, all Meet the Cheesemaker vendors must review and consent to the terms and conditions for sampling and food safety as outlined by the Erie County Health Department. 

Cancellations
Cancellation requests are accepted for Meet the Cheesemaker and Marketplace sponsors and must be submitted in writing. Registrations are refundable up to three (3) weeks before the first day of the Conference less a $75 administrative processing fee. Refunds will be processed within two (2) weeks of approval of the cancellation request to the original method of payment. After June 19th, registrations are NOT refundable.