The 2nd annual Craft Beverage Expo is scheduled to take place May 6-8 in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara may be known for its high-tech innovations and be referred to normally as Silicon Valley, but in just a few weeks, it will transform into Craft Valley.
Producers and industry members related to craft beer, wine, spirits, cider and mead will gather in one building and at one time to move the industry forward – collectively.
This will be the 2nd annual Craft Beverage Expo, and if you think about it, the whole event is like one big think-tank of beverage business innovation and collaboration.
We were proud participants during last year’s inaugural event (check out notes from our session last year here), and this year we are proud to both exhibit and speak again at the event. We not only will have a booth where we will be able to meet all week with industry members and talk Craft Beverage Jobs and Digital Marketing, but we get to once again address the crowd and talk Digital Marketing (one of our favorite subjects).
You may be a craft beverage producer or a industry member who is interested in being part of the larger community of like-minded industry professionals. Regardless of where you come to craft beverage from, there are some seriously compelling reasons for you to consider joining the event in Santa Clara this May. The following is our list of top 5 reasons, but this list is certainly not comprehensive:
1. Content
I (Cindy) am on the Advisory Board for the expo, and I have also been a part of beverage-industry conference content creation before. Mark my words, there is no other industry event that has content like the Expo, and no other industry event puts forth the effort to understand the needs of the industry like the Expo does with regard to creating content. The Expo team really looks at it as their responsibility to bring together content that will propel your business and industry forward.
I almost look at the their approach to creating content as if they’re creating a curriculum. Kellie Shevlin and the Expo team organize a conference that you both learn and grow from. There really should be a certificate of completion for someone that attends the Craft Beverage Expo. The content is that good.
Take a look at the schedule here.
2. Speakers
This ties in with #1 above, but you will not find an industry event with the same variety and quality of speakers like you do at the Craft Beverage Expo.
Check out this year’s highlighted speakers:
- Meg Gill – Golden Road Brewing
- Joe Wagner – Copper Cane Wines & Provisions
- David Walker – Firestone Walker Brewing Company
- Ralph Erenzo – Tuthilltown Spirits
Again, the organizers look at is as a responsibility to organize speakers that will help your business get to the next level. They’re objective is clear: share what you know and give advice on how to grow.
Take a look at all presenters here.
3. Networking
There is no doubt that there are some incredible industry events to attend if you are in wine, craft beer, and spirits. People in these industries know how to communicate, make friends, and party. There are large industry events like Unified Wine & Grape Symposium and the Craft Beer Conference where there is no shortage of networking opportunities, and ways to interact. They are really great events.
The Craft Beverage Expo is also a great event. It’s smaller, so if you ever felt like the larger events were just a little too large, this may be right up your alley.
Part of the built-in networking aspect are the mixer events and food! Not all industry events include so much free sustenance like the Craft Beverage Expo, so bring your appetite and thirst for tasty craft beverage.
4. Expo
Over 150 craft beverage exhibitors will be on hand during the Craft Beverage Expo (we’ll be one of the 150!). This is a chance for you to not only network, but meet with vendors who can help your business grow.
This is my favorite industry Expo for a few reasons.
It’s not too specific. Sometimes expos lack in… diversity. They may be either all direct-to-consumer, all production, or all wine, etc. In order to understand the full landscape, it’s helpful to see what is completely out there. This industry is a cross-section of beverage industry providers and segments of each industry.
Check out the current vendor list here.
4. Value
I already mentioned the inclusion of mixer events (i.e. hosted bars) and food. They’re called “Craft Networking” lunches. That’s in addition to the Expo and full conference. It’s a full three days of CRAFT BEVERAGE, and I love it!
Since I am an advisory board member of the Craft Beverage Expo, I am able to extend a discount to my community. Since you are my community, I am able to extend this offer to you!
You can choose – either attend the full event (conference + expo) for 1/2 off at $175, or attend the expo only for free
Regardless of what option you choose – use code CBECA when you register.
I hope to see you in May. You may be an industry member already, or you may be looking to work in craft beverage. Either way, attending the Craft Beverage Expo is a great chance for you to meet peers, learn from the industry, and know what is out there.
Will we see you there?