If there is one trade show you should attend each year, it’s the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America. I’ve been the last five years, and it’s the most immersive show experience in the industry. Shop for equipment, attend business seminars, tour local facilities, meet new contacts and drink lots and lots of great beer. Enjoy our previous coverage of year’s past, then get the what, when, who, why and where below. See you in Nashville!
What
The 35th edition of the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America (CBC) will be held in Music City — Nashville, Tenn., from April 30 – May 3. CBC, presented annually by the Brewers Association, is the craft brewing industry’s leading event, and the only one that serves both brewpubs and packaging breweries.
BrewExpo America is the premier trade show for craft brewers, providing the opportunity to connect with customers, vendors and leaders in the national and international brewing arena. The trade show sets the stage for exhibitors and buyers to develop profitable business relationships and helps brewing and brewery restaurant professionals encounter the latest and best products and services that industry vendors have to offer.
CBC 2018 also serves as home to the World Beer Cup, often referred to as “the Olympics of Beer.” Developed in 1996 to celebrate the art and science of brewing, this global competition continues to create greater consumer awareness about different beer styles and flavor profiles while promoting international brewing excellence. In 2016, 6,596 beers entered from 1,907 breweries representing 55 countries were entered in the World Beer Cup and were judged by an elite international panel of 253 judges from 31 countries. This year is expected to be even more competitive, as craft brewing continues to attract an even broader universe around the globe.
Who
More than 13,000 brewing industry professionals will have the opportunity to meet with 700 exhibitors and hear from a wide range of speakers during 70 seminars across 12 different educational tracks. Featured speakers include industry keynote address speaker Deb Carey, founder and president of New Glarus Brewery, Brewers Association Director Paul Gatza and Chief Economist Bart Watson, who will deliver the annual State of the Industry Address. The complete line up of keynote and seminar speakers will be announced mid-January.
Why
As small and independent craft brewers face unique opportunities and challenges in the marketplace, CBC allows them to connect with their colleagues and comrades to share ideas and learn about relevant topics ranging from brewery operations to sustainability and government affairs. This year’s educational seminars cover 12 tracks: Brewery Operations, Brewpub Marketing and Management, Export Development, Government Affairs, Leadership (new in 2018), Packaging Brewery Marketing and Management, Quality, Safety, Selling Craft Beer, Start-ups, Sustainability and Technical Brewing.
When
Craft Brewers Conference, Monday, April 30 — Thursday, May 3, 2018. Times vary. For a full schedule of events, visit the CBC conference schedule.
