Mission – SIAL Canada

Surrounded by its partners, Group Export invites you to submit your application to participate in the most important agri-food industry event in Canada. Subsequently, Groupe Export will select the candidates who will be part of this mission (see Eligibility for Participants section).

Come meet over 21,000 visitors from 44 countries. SIAL is the designated place to connect with buyers in retail, foodservice, and food processing, as well as a preferred gateway to the U.S. and international markets. This is an event you don’t want to miss!

Participate in this trade show under the Group Export banner and take advantage of the following benefits:

• Shared booth targeting a ratio of 3 companies per 100 ft²
• Turnkey booth setup including (per 100 ft²):
  • Structure, carpet, and lighting;
  • A rack with two shelves; 
  • A counter with a sliding door and interior shelf;
  • Two stools;
  • A curved front identification panel;
  • A wastebasket.
• Per participating company:
  • Inclusion of 2 badges;
  • Inclusion of 5 visitor badges;
  • Inclusion of 2 tickets for the Alizés Awards Evening (value of $260/ticket);
  • Access to the Group Export lounge at SIAL Canada;
  • Room block: registered companies will receive a link for priority booking. Note that availability is limited;
  • Free participation in the webinar: Perfecting Sales Techniques at Trade Shows, offered on February 26.

Price:

Participation in the trade mission: $2,500

Market Data

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in 2022, the Canadian agri-food industry played a key role in the economy, generating significant revenues. The total contribution of this sector to Canada’s GDP was estimated at $134.9 billion, employing over 2.1 million people and accounting for 6.8% of the country’s total GDP.

Financial Assistance Available

Reimbursement of a flat travel fee of $850 per company.

• To obtain the flat travel reimbursement, the company must provide proof of travel (e.g., invoice for a plane, train, or bus ticket, etc., including the complete itinerary, or a receipt for gas purchased near the destination) AND proof of accommodation (e.g., official hotel or Airbnb invoice, etc.). The accommodation must have been paid; using reward points of any kind disqualifies the company from this subsidy.

• An additional $500 will be granted if your company is located in one of the following regions: Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Côte-Nord, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, or Nord-du-Québec.

• Group Export reserves the right to request any additional supporting documents.

Cancellation Policy

Group Export Agri-Food is a non-profit organization (NPO) that manages the export assistance programs of the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

As a manager of government programs, Group Export has established a general policy to be followed for participation in a trade show. Here are the details:

1. When a company representative completes the participation/registration form for a trade show, this document automatically serves as a contract between Group Export and the company.
2. Within five days of registration, the company must pay 50% of the participation fees. These fees can be paid by check, bank transfer, or credit card by contacting Group Export’s accounting department at 450-649-6266. Direct deposits are preferred.
3. The other 50% of the participation fees for the trade show is due 60 days before the event.
4. Failure to comply with this policy may result in Group Export canceling the company’s participation.
5. In case of cancellation by the company:
   1. If the company or Group Export finds a replacement, the company will be reimbursed 100% minus an administration fee of $200, as soon as the replacement has paid the amount owed.
   2. If neither the company nor Group Export finds a replacement, the company will be responsible for the full amount committed under the contract.
   3. All cancellation requests must be made in writing and addressed to the person responsible for the trade show, whose name appears on the participation form.

This policy was approved by the Group Export Agri-Food Board of Directors on February 14, 2008.

Eligibility for Participants

To qualify as a participant, the company must:

• Join as a member of Group Export Agri-Food.
• Not have exhibited at SIAL Canada in the last five years within the Group Export’s pavilion or have an annual revenue of less than $2M.
• Meet all eligibility criteria for provincial subsidies applicable to this activity.
• Hold a license number from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) or demonstrate that it is not required for their type of business.

Group Export reserves the right to deny any registration for this activity.