CIAA QIP Hosts Retailers for SIAL 2016

The Cheese Importers of America Qualified Importer Program (CIAA QIP) will build on the momentum of their very successful Retailer program and host 15 Retailers at the SIAL Show in Paris, France, October 15-19, 2016. The organization is holding a lottery for qualified retailers to win an all-expense paid educational trip to the SIAL trade show. To qualify, retailers should purchase at least 250,000 lbs. of wholesale cheese per year or have 5 or more retail stores. To learn more about the trip and to apply, individuals are encouraged to visit the CIAA website.

Food retailers selling wholesale specialty cheese are invited to apply for this all-expense paid trip to SIAL, the world's largest food trade show.  The SIAL Show held every two years in Paris, features several exhibition halls of cheese and gourmet foods.  The retailer guests are selected via a random lottery drawing, which will be held in August 2016.

As part of this exclusive CIAA QIP-sponsored SIAL trip, these U.S. retailers will attend the SIAL show as guests of the CIAA, and participate in all educational events and dinners with CIAA members. These retailers will have VIP access to the SIAL show, where they will have numerous opportunities to network with international food manufacturers and professionals. Additionally, the CIAA's retailer guests will have the chance to tour French retail outlets including some of the largest fresh produce distributors in the world, hypermarkets and upscale cheese shops and gourmet retailers.

Funding for the Retailer trip is generated from the Qualified Importer Program that is derived from the assessment importers pay on dairy products imported into the United States. No corporate funds are involved.

The Cheese Importers Association of America, Inc. is a non-profit trade association formed more than sixty years ago whose membership comprises the vast majority of the firms engaged in the business of importing, selling, promoting, and distributing cheese and cheese products in the U.S.  The CIAA endeavors to support dairy trade, within the context of compliance with international trade agreements, and all applicable US regulations.