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
Thursday, July 20
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 Iowa Event Center – INFORMATION COMING SOON
Hand Delivering to the Iowa Event Center Prior to Meet the Cheesemaker on Thursday, July 20 – INFORMATION COMING SOON
Exhibiting at Meet the Cheesemaker
In order 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 Fees | Rate | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $250 | March 8 | March 20 |
| Early | $275 | March 21 | June 26 |
| Regular | $325 | June 27 | July 7 |
Attending Meet the Cheesemaker
Admission is open to all ACS Conference registrants (full registrants and Thursday 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.
If product being sampled includes beer, wine, cider or liquor, the Iowa Event Center requires the sponsor to submit an Alcohol Authorization Request form, COI as required in the Alcohol Authorization Request form, and the individual serving the beverage to have an Permit.
As a Marketplace Sponsor at Meet the Cheesemaker you can:
-
- Pour your own samples if you have an Permit
- If you know an individual in Des Moines that has an Permit, they can pour samples
- If you do not have a Permit, ACS can help set you up with a bartender for an additional fee, for more information please contact [email protected]
Sampling sizes:
- Liquor: no more that 1/2 fluid ounces
- Wine and Cider: no more that 1 1/2 fluid ounces
- Beer: no more than 3 fluid ounces
REGISTRATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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 prior to the first day of Conference less a $75 administrative processing fee. Refunds will be processed within two (2) weeks of approval of cancellation request to the original method of payment. After June 27th, registrations are NOT refundable.