Get ready to attend the 2017 Commercial Maple Syrup Producers of Michigan (CMSPM) “Tapping into the Future’ maple educational conference at the Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan.

The conference will begin Friday evening Aug. 25 with a panel discussion of industry experts from Leader, CDL and LaPierre.  

Topics will include marketing, new trends, the new grading system,  getting the most out of the taps you have. Immediately following our panel discussion will be our social hour where attendees will have access to hor’d’oeuvres and a cash bar as well as the opportunity to network with industry leaders and exhibitors.  

Exhibitors will be on site Friday evening.

The doors will open Saturday at 8 a.m. allowing you to grab a cup of coffee and pastry and/or visit with fellow guests and vendors before the program starts at 9 a.m.  Our keynote speaker is Ray Bonenberg, president of the International Maple Syrup Institue. He’ll talk about exporting maple syrup, the new grading system, the health benefits of maple syrup.  

Other scheduled speakers include Valliet Chabot of CDL, Brad Gillian of Leader Evaporator Co., and Carl LaPierre of LaPierre as well as other industry professionals.

Throughout Saturday you will have plenty of time to visit with the many exhibitors.  New this year will be a silent auction featuring items donated from vendors.  Some of the auction items include a weekend rental of a DYNA firewood processor, stainless steel sugarhouse mailbox, golf package from TreeTops Resort, a framed maple sugaring print, circa 1856.

New this year, we will offer a Friday-only rate of $25 and a Saturday-only rate of $50.

The conference is being held at the Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan and is being sponsored by the Commercial Maple Syrup Producers of Michigan.  

In addition to having a conference venue, Treetops Resort also offers premier golf, ski and resort experiences in Northern Michigan. The resort is located just a short 3 miles off I-75 at Exit 282.   

For additional information, contact our Outreach Coordinator, Lynette Henson, at (989) 944-9428 or visit our website at www.cmspm.org.