We are currently running around the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America. This show looks fantastic. We’re big fans of Nashville, the Brewers Association and this conference. There have been some weather issues, but it ain’t nothing we can’t handle. We’re super prepared for starters. We’ve got a ton of info on all the exhibitors showcasing their wares in the tradeshow hall and elsewhere. Also, for those attending and for our own reference, here’s the conference at a quick glance.
General Session
Brewers Association (BA) President and CEO Bob Pease and Board of Directors Chair Garrett Marrero will welcome attendees to the event and present opening remarks. Then, the BA will honor the 2023 Industry Award winners, including the F.X. Matt Defense of the Craft Brewing Industry Award, the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing, the Brewers Association Recognition Award and the Brewers Association Mentor of the Year Award.
Next, Brewers Association Chief Economist Bart Watson will address the changing industry in the annual State of the Craft Brewing Industry presentation. Watson will take a uniquely deep dive into the association’s recent annual survey — the best and freshest data set in craft brewing — and present a broad national view of trends and topics he doesn’t cover anywhere else. He’ll also share exclusive big-picture thinking about what’s on the horizon for craft beer.
Finally, this session will close with a panel of Industry Leaders, including the CEOs of the Brewers Association, Beer Institute, and National Beer Wholesalers Association, moderated by Right Proper Brewing Co.’s Leah Cheston. Bob Pease, Brian Crawford, and Craig Purser will discuss challenges and opportunities facing the beer industry, new beverage categories and large companies entering beverage alcohol, and what qualities differentiate beer as “America’s Beverage.”
BrewExpo America Tradeshow
BrewExpo America is the largest brewing tradeshow in the United States, with more than 600 vendors showing off the latest tech and innovations. The tradeshow floor will be open:
- Monday, May 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Keynote & Featured Speakers
Dr. Bart Watson (Brewers Association), Sarah Bettman (Bettman Consulting Group), Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Charles Esten (singer, songwriter, actor), Dr. J. Jackson-Beckham (Brewers Association), Catherine Mattice (Civility Partners), Ren Navarro (Beer. Diversity), Dr. Edward Slingerland (University of British Columbia), and Alan Windhausen (Holidaily Brewing Co.)
Seminar Spotlights Gluten-Free Brewing Speaker: Robert Keifer
Monday, May 8, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; Davidson Ballroom B
2023 Government Affairs Update Speakers: Katie Marisic, Marc Sorini Monday, May 8, 2:30-3:45 p.m.; Room 209
Beer and the Origins of Civilization
Speaker: Edward Slingerland
Tuesday, May 9, 1-2 p.m.; Karl F. Dean Ballroom C
Water: The Ultimate Supply Chain Challenge
Speakers: Charlie Arnold, Ken Greenwood, Autumn Melson, Walker Modic Wednesday, May 10, 10-11 a.m.; Davidson Ballroom A
Reducing CO2 Consumption in Times of Scarcity
Speaker: Gabriel Dominguez
Wednesday, May 10, 10-11 a.m.; Karl F. Dean Ballroom B
Supporting Sobriety within the Craft Beer Industry
Speakers: Thor Cheston, Holly Haslam
Wednesday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Davidson Ballroom C
Approaching the Beyond Beer Category with Craft Beer Integrity Speakers: Sam Calagione, Garrett Marrero, Bart Watson Wednesday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Karl F. Dean Ballroom C
The Burden of Burnout
Speaker: Katie Muggli
Wednesday, May 10, 2-3 p.m.; Davidson Ballroom C
Brewers Publications Author Signings
Merritt Waldron, Quality Labs for Small Brewers: Building a Foundation for Great Beer
- May 8, 11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
- May 10, 12:15-12:45 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
Gary Nichols, Crafting Brewery Culture: A Human Resources Guide for Small Breweries
- May 8, 12-12:45 p.m., Davidson Ballroom Prefunction
- May 9, 12:45-1:15 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
Robert Keifer, Gluten-Free Brewing: Techniques, Processes, and Ingredients for Crafting Flavorful Beer
- May 8, 12-12:45 p.m., Davidson Ballroom Prefunction
- May 10, 12:30-1 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
Em Sauter; Hooray for Craft Beer! An Illustrated Guide to Beer
- May 9, 12:45-1:15 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
- May 10, 12:15-12:45 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
Maria Pearman, Small Brewery Finance: Accounting Principals and Planning for the Craft Brewer
- May 9, 2:30-3 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
- May 10, 12-12:30 p.m., Brewers Publications Bookstore
CPR Trainings
New to the Craft Brewers Conference, Cintas, an American Heart Association-authorized training provider, is offering sessions for attendees (discounted course fee required) who want to be able to take action when cardiac events happen. Course times:
- Tuesday, May 9, 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 10, 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
SHRM Recertification
The BA announced it is offering recertification credits to SHRM-certified members at this year’s Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville. SHRM PDCs will be available for all seminars that take place as part of the THRIVE pre-conference workshop on Sunday, May 7, as well as select seminars in the main conference’s THRIVE educational track.
Community Engagement Project (Exhibit Hall A Prefunction)
Use your downtime to lift someone up! Come meet with members of the Community Resource Center and the Brewers Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, as together they assemble personal and household hygiene kits for members of the Middle Tennessee community who are experiencing housing insecurity. Learn more about this year’s project here.
- Monday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Tuesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Wednesday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
World Beer Cup
CBC will conclude with the World Beer Cup awards ceremony on May 10 from 5-7 p.m.
- 10,200 Total Entries
- 51 Total Countries
- 2,375 Breweries
- 280 Judges
More Information on the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America
- Largest U.S. industry-only gathering for the craft brewing industry.
- CBC anticipates more than 10,000 registered attendees and 600+ exhibitors.
- Download the free CBC app (“Craft Brewers Conference 2023”) to find exhibitor, seminar, hospitality, and other information (including food locations!)
- Relax and recharge with a 15-minute guided meditation or chair yoga session at the wellness lounge.
- The Craft Brewers Conference is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion. Attendees can download the free #NotMe app (Organization PIN — CBC2023) to safely and confidentially report anything.
Social Media
Upcoming Brewers Association Events
- HomebrewCon; June 22-24, 2023; San Diego, Calif.
- Great American Beer Festival; September 21-23, 2023; Denver, Colo.
- 2024 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America + World Beer Cup April 21-24; Las Vegas, NV (the Venetian hotel)
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.