USDEC invites USDEC members to join forces with staff to reinforce the U.S. dairy industry's long-term commitment to China through participating in the 2018 China Dairy Industry Association (CDIA) meeting. CDIA is a national, industry-wide organization representing large and medium-sized dairy processing enterprises in China and is also a member of the International Dairy Federation. CDIA's meeting attracts approximately 800 dairy decision makers from 300 companies, as well as representatives from Oceania and European dairy suppliers eager to strengthen ties with Chinese customers. The 2018 conference will be held at the Qujiang International Conference Center in Xi'an.

USDEC members, or your local China-based representatives attending the CDIA meeting, are encouraged to contact USDEC staff so we can demonstrate a united industry presence and let customers know in advance which members will be present. USDEC will also have limited meeting room space available for members to utilize to connect with customers the afternoon of August 25 (approximately between the hours of 1-3pm and 4-6pm). Space is on a first-come, first served basis, and the timeframe of room availability is subject to change depending upon space availability. Members are responsible for setting up their own meetings. The room location is the 3^rd floor (Room 307) of Xi'an Qujiang International Conference Center (where the CDIA meeting will be held). 

USDEC Arlington, Virginia, staff-including Secretary Thomas Vilsack, Annie Bienvenue and Ross Christieson, as well as USDEC China office representative Chang Su-will also give presentations focused on the U.S. commitment to the market, our evolving cheese and dairy ingredient portfolio and how these fit with China's food and beverage needs, nutritionally and otherwise. Jaime Castaneda will also attend CDIA to emphasize the importance of resolution to the trade dispute. The anticipated presentation session schedule is below, although start/end times may not be exact due to scheduling fluidity in the actual day's schedule flow.

·  August 25 (~2:00-2:30pm) Secretary Thomas Vilsack, President & CEO, USDEC 
Forum 1:  International Dairy Development Cooperation Session (Qujiang International Conference Center, Presidium Conference Room, 4th Floor)

·  August 25 (~4:10-4:30pm) Annie Bienvenue, VP Technical Services, USDEC  
Forum 2:  Liquid Milk Innovation Development Session (Qujiang International Conference Center, Room 402, 4^th Floor)

·  August 25 (~3:10-3:30pm) Chang Su, Representative, USDEC China  
Forum 3:  Infant and Functional Formula Milk Powder Innovation Development Session (Qujiang International Conference Center, Room 406, 4^th Floor)

·  August 26 (~8:50-9:10am) Ross Christieson, SVP and Business Unit Director - North Asia, USDEC 
Forum 5:  Cheese Technology Innovation Development Session (Qujiang International Conference Center, Presidium Conference Room, 4^th Floor)  

For more information about USDEC's CDIA participation, contact Keith Meyer at kmeyer@usdec.org and Kristi Saitama at ksaitama@usdec.org.

Further information is also available on CDIA's website (in Chinese):  www.cdia.org.cn