Q: What are the requirements to become a member?
A: Simple. All that is required is an interest in any aspect of the maple industry. See the membership form for types of memberships and the dues structure (paid yearly). Contact the Executive Director, Dave Chapeskie at agrofor@ripnet.com.

Q: When and where are IMSI meetings held?
A: IMSI Board of Directors Meetings are held quarterly and generally alternate between locations in Canada and the United States. The annual meeting was held in late October in conjunction with the Annual meeting of the North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC).

IMSI’s most recent Board of Directors meeting was held at the American Maple Museum in Croghan, New York on Friday May 14th, 2010. The next Board meeting will be held at the Agricultural Research Centre in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec on Friday August 20th, 2010.

The fall Board of Directors and Annual Meeting of IMSI will be held at Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario during the period October 20th to 23rd, 2010 in conjunction with the Annual meeting of the North American Maple Syrup Council. An IMSI sponsored Maple Grading School will be held on October 19 to 20 at Arden Park Hotel. Registration materials for both the IMSI-NAMSC meetings and the Grading School are provided below as pdf files. For further information or if you have questions  about these event, please contact Dave Chapeskie agrofor@ripnet.com or Bill Robinson robinmap@hurontel.on.ca

Q: What is the difference between the IMSI and the NAMSC (North American Maple Syrup Council)?
A: The NAMSC is more focused on actual syrup production and funds maple related research projects. The IMSI watches over the maple industry, and tends to be more comprised of end- product users such as bulk syrup buyers & packers, as well as equipment and container manufacturers. Most state or provincial associations or cooperatives name a delegate to attend IMSI meetings and many are IMSI members.