The Craft Beer Industry Association (CBIA) has released details of its third annual Australian Craft Brewers Conference (ACBC), which will be held 20-21 May in Melbourne.
“We are committed to growing the Australian Craft Brewers Conference into an event of international significance within the craft beer industry and this year we are working very hard to take it to another level in terms of programme, speakers and venue,” said CBIA director
Brendan Varis.
Part of Good Beer Week the conference will this year be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre located at Melbourne’s South Wharf. The larger venue has enable organisers to implement tailored programme streams, with one focusing on Brewery Operations and the other Sales and Management.
“This will allow delegates to have more control in creating their own conference experience,” said Varis.
“We hope it will encourage employers to send along more of their staff from all areas of the business in the knowledge that they will be able to concentrate on gaining knowledge in their areas of responsibility.”
Some of the programme highlights from the Brewery Operations stream include Denis Gayte from US hop giant Yakima Chief discussing the US hop market, a look at building sensory panels and a session exploring the intricacies of brewing saisons.
Highlights for the Sales and Management stream include Mazen Hajjar from Hawkers Beer giving his unique insights on running breweries in two countries, a panel looking at how to source growth funding for breweries and insights from a PR specialist on how small businesses can better manage their public relations.
This year organisers are looking to engage more internationally, with the programme featuring presentations from key New Zealand industry figures Martin Townshend, Søren Erikson and Jos Ruffell. Additionally, Brooklyn Brewery co-founder, chair and president Steve Hindy will deliver this year’s keynote address.
The conference will also feature a one-day symposium aimed at improving the knowledge of the on-premise trade, titled “The Art of Selling Craft”.
The ACBC Trade Expo returns in 2015 with more than 20 exhibitors locked in to date.
To check out the full programme, click here, or to buy early bird tickets, click here. For further information please contact CBIA executive officer Chris McNamara.