Schedule

Note: CBX Conference will run in meeting rooms the first half of the day. There will be a break in education programs from while we transition to the show floor. immediately following the beak, there will be a keynote on the show floor for both T&T and CBX attendees. All education for the afternoon will be on the show floor and universal to both T&T and CBX attendees.

Note: All attendees have access to both show floors and education on the show floor stage.

Note: All attendees have access to all education taking place on the show floor stage.

Note: Only Craft Beverage Conference Attendees have access to this track. Craft Beverage Conference attendees can also attend all sessions on the show floor.

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Grab a quick cup of coffee and a light bite before heading into session

 
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM

We are living in a landscape of Change & Confusion when it comes to the Beverage Alcohol landscape. The staggering amount of choice combined with the rapid evolution of categories has many suppliers wondering if they are on the right path when it comes to reaching their consumers. When it comes to planning for the future, it is important to first understand 2 things;

  • Realities – What direction is the industry heading & Where do I fit in?
  • Opportunities – What is working / resonating with consumers & How can I apply those learnings to my business?

By analyzing topics such as Category Health, Shelf Space Allocation, Assortment Evolution and In-Demand Attributes we can start to form an understanding of what is connecting among Beverage Alcohol consumers today & assess where we can lean into our strengths, address our gaps and pursue opportunities.

Dave Williams
9:15 AM - 9:45 AM

In the highly competitive and traditionally conservative beverage industry, where majority of new products don't succeed, non-traditional brands encounter significant barriers in capturing attention and fostering both initial and repeat purchases. This session convenes a panel of innovative non-traditional beverage creators to explore both the obstacles and prospects they face including how to secure shelf space amongst the major brands. Panelists will delve into the rising consumer demand for distinctive offerings and how insights into consumer tastes and habits shape product creation, distribution strategies, and marketing tactics. They will reveal diverse tactics and strategies that emerging brands can employ to enhance their chances of success, providing a comprehensive look at how to thrive in a market resistant to change.

Hannah Crum Bruce Nissen Toshio Ueno Dave Williams
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM

Do you want to stand out in a saturated market and create engaging experiences that build brand loyalty? Beverage alcohol brands can leverage DTC ecommerce as a new sales channel to provide new product experiences to their biggest fans, typically unseen in traditional sales channels.

In the upcoming discussion led by co-founder and CEO of Speakeasy Co., Josh Jacobs, attendees will gain valuable insights into successful sales strategies. From celebrity-backed launches to Limited-Time Offerings (LTOs) and curated unboxing experiences with merchandise, the session will delve into approaches that have demonstrated success.

Josh Jacobs
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Join us as we tackle the complexities of crafting and managing a robust distribution network. Dive into the subtleties of distribution within the craft beverage industry, including selecting ideal partners and securing advantageous terms. Compare various distribution approaches, from self-distribution to collaborations with regional and national distributors ultimately helping you identify the most suitable model for your brand.

OJ Lima Jackie Summers Rachel Minor Katona Toshio Ueno Calen Wells
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

This session will provide some of the best strategies to breaking into national accounts as a craft brand. While it can seem overwhelming, it is completely possible and all it takes is the right people, the right conversations, and the ability to curate relationships. Learn from an industry expert who has built brands - and seen them topple themselves - and understands the buyer mindset after spending as many years consulting buyers as selling over the past three decades.

Christie Lawler Kim Cook-Sorano
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

This session is tailored for craft beverage professionals seeking to amplify their brand's presence and influence without breaking the bank. We'll dive into cost-effective and impactful strategies that promise the "Biggest Bang for your Buck" in today's digital and traditional marketing landscapes. This comprehensive approach will cover essential facets of PR and marketing, focusing on innovative tactics tailored to the unique needs and budget constraints of the craft beverage sector.

Mark Colburn Karen Hertz Chip Sheean Tommy Miers Sara Gorelick
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Grab a quick cup of coffee and a light bite before heading into session

 
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM

What funding do you need to finance the growth of your company? As a producer who wants to grow, you need to understand the different sources of funding available to you and the advantages and disadvantages based on your unique situation. What will be the costs? What regulatory and reporting considerations do you need to consider? Join this discussion to better understand various sources of capital and how they compare and contrast each producer's particular needs.

Quinton Jay
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

This session offers a overview of current trends, challenges, and opportunities in M&A within this vibrant industry. We will explore the driving forces behind recent mergers and acquisitions in the craft beverage sector. Understand the motivations that lead craft beverage brands to merge with or acquire others, and learn about the strategic benefits and potential pitfalls of these business decisions. This talk will also provide insights into the process of M&A, from initial considerations and valuation to negotiation and integration. We'll discuss the financial, legal, and cultural aspects of merging with or acquiring a company, providing a comprehensive overview of what it takes to successfully navigate an M&A deal

Perry De Luca
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

This session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the leaders of craft beverage brands who have navigated the complex journey of selling their business. In this interactive Q&A format, our panel of successful entrepreneurs will share their firsthand experiences, insights, and lessons learned from selling their craft brands. Delve into the key strategies that led to their successful exits, and explore the challenges they faced during the process. Learn about the different exit options available. Our panelists will discuss how they prepared their businesses for sale, including enhancing brand value, understanding valuation metrics, and negotiating favorable terms. This session is not just about the endgame; it's about understanding the full lifecycle of a craft beverage brand and how to build with an exit in mind.

Cameron Hughes Quinton Jay Taylor Marsh Bruce Nissen Chip Tate
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM

In this keynote session, Jackie Summers will explore how you can leverage your unique strengths and play by your own set of legal rules to create a competitive edge. Learn how to make the most of your agility, craft a unique brand story, and engage customers in ways that larger companies can't. This session will provide practical advice on navigating the industry smartly and sustainably, turning your size into an advantage in the battle against the big players.

Jackie Summers
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Join Andrew Adams, editor of WineBusiness Data Group as he leads the keynote presenting the results of the in-depth, representative survey of various sizes of wineries with tasting rooms across the US. This session will discuss the up and coming tasting room trends as well as uncover the latest business challenges and opportunities across the wine industry for tasting rooms. 

Andrew Adams
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Discover ways to leverage personalized connections made in the tasting room. This session offers insights into seamlessly bridging the gap between online and offline experiences to create a comprehensive direct-to-consumer (DTC) approach. Find out what the modern consumer expects from commerce and how to establish a loyal customer relationship. Explore successful strategies to grow DTC sales supported by proven metrics.

Jules Robbins Kristen Muir
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In the increasingly competitive world of craft beverages, the art of hospitality can be the key differentiator that sets a brand apart. This session is designed to inspire and educate participants on the pivotal role hospitality plays in the craft beverage industry, particularly in tasting and tap rooms. This interactive talk will dive into the nuances of creating a memorable and unique customer experience with actionable takeaways to implement into your hospitality programs that turn visitors into loyal customers and fans.

Jennifer Warrington
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

This session is curated to guide you in transforming your space into more than just a place to taste through your product line; it's about creating a destination that captivates and delights your guests. Explore innovative strategies to enhance the sensory appeal of your tasting or tap room. Learn how to design an engaging environment that stimulates the senses and discuss the importance of storytelling in the tasting experience. Learn how to weave the unique tales of your beverages into each sip, enhancing the customer's connection to your brand. This session will also cover the nuances of hosting and service etiquette, ensuring that every interaction adds to the immersive experience.

Walter Carter Sam Gentry Daniela Belen Jaime Loor
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Go beyond the one-time sale in your tasting or tap room and create multiple sales opportunities by engaging customers and creating long-term relationships. The key to generating revenue and increasing purchases over the long haul is building an experience for your visitors that represents your brand without losing sight of what matters to you as the operator. From merchandising and staffing, pricing and promotions we will look at winning programs that maintain both the heart of the brand and add value to your bottom line.

Aaron Gore Matt Johnson Briana Wagner Lori Bolin
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Join us as we present the inaugural 2024 Awards of Excellence in tasting and tap room management and design as well as awards devoted solely to the adult craft beverage Industry! Presented by our CBX MC, OJ Lima, the awards are designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements by establishments and individuals in both categories.

OJ Lima
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

We will discuss how to invest in your employees and community to grow your business. Creating a culture of taking care of the employee to take care of the customer to take care of profits. We talk about community engagement and how that can lead to revenue growth through strategic placement in the community. Panelists discuss the programs they run built to support employees that also impact the community.

Earl Sullivan John Morris Betsy Lay
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Join us for an immersive exploration into the art of crafting successful awareness campaigns that seamlessly transition from media buzz to tangible on-site experiences. In this keynote, we'll bring together four expert perspectives to illuminate the journey from earned media to digital content, culminating in unforgettable on-site encounters. Join Sara Gorelick and Alisha Zaveri from Colangelo & Partners, alongside representatives from an acclaimed distillery and a prestigious winery, as we uncover the alchemy behind impactful communication strategies that foster genuine brand loyalty.

This session promises actionable insights on leveraging diverse communication channels to draw customers to your tasting room and cultivate devoted brand advocates. Whether you're seeking to bolster your digital presence or create unforgettable in-person experiences, our panel of experts will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to drive foot traffic, foster consumer engagement, and ultimately elevate your brand to new heights.

Sara Gorelick Alisha Zaveri Melinda Maddox Judd Wallenbrock
2:20 PM - 2:50 PM

Wine Enthusiast is a Certified B Corporation with a mission to make wine approachable for all and welcome everyone to the wine lifestyle. In this closing session, Wine Enthusiast’s Chief Revenue and Education Officer will share key insights on how educating your tasting room team, understanding proper wine storage, and elevating customer service leads to success. Learn how educated tasting room operators deepen the curiosity of first-time visitors and boost the guest experience for return patrons.

Marshall Tilden III
2:55 PM - 3:25 PM

The nuts & bolts of food and beverage design is an interactive presentation to allow owners, restaurateurs, and developers to analyze future endeavors with greater space planning awareness. The presentation will guide individuals through steps to analyze their space size, compare requirements with costs and develop a more comprehensive plan for their project(s). The main learning objective of this presentation is to have each person leave with an understanding of the size needs, space allocation guidelines, and building code impacts on their future builds/retrofits.

The presentation begins with a breakdown of sizes and estimates for different functions of a drinking establishment. The next objective and task is to analyze a space and break that into code requirements. This interactive portion allows participants to calculate required exit doors, required plumbing facilities and the impacts of accessibility requirements. The final objective is to educate participants on the unique elements of different venues and what those could be:
•Liquor storage and required locking needs
•Allocation of keg storage and what glycol systems can work
•Mechanical options for cooling wine rooms.
•How operations influence design
This course will prepare participants to better plan and prepare for their future venue.

Rory Heggie
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

What you need to know to start or expand your tasting room – from required permits, who you need to get in touch with, all the way through pitfalls and lessons learned. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned professional, this session promises to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the tasting room landscape successfully.

Demae Rubins
12:20 PM - 1:00 PM

Bring peace of mind and transparency to the kombucha industry. Remove consumer confusion, the KBI Verification seal communicates to everyone who spies it that the product is authentic kombucha produced in a safe manner in compliance with the Food Modernization & Safety Act and all local, state and federal laws.

Hannah Crum
12:40 PM - 1:10 PM

The Booch News Worldwide Directory lists over 2,600 brands in 104 countries. This data is a valuable source of information for new start-ups or those seeking to expand as they author their business plans and gain insight into how others are positioning and marketing their products. Beyond the numbers, the Worldwide Directory is a resource for examining the various ways to market kombucha products in more detail regarding branding, label design, flavoring options, and other product information shown in the social media feeds and on the company websites in the lists. This presentation will highlight the most popular brands in different regions, explain where growth in the number of followers on social media has been most dramatic and where it has leveled off, and showcase some of the most innovative trends.

Ian Griffin
1:10 PM - 1:50 PM

Discover the secret behind the natural carbonation of canned kombucha, a methodology that eliminates the use of large machinery and the addition of artificial carbon dioxide, yet maintains the drink for 12 months without the need for refrigeration. The Companhia dos Fermentados stands out in the Brazilian scene, producing more than 30,000 cans per month and has gained space in the national market for the quality of its beverages. This achievement not only sets new standards of quality and sustainability in the fermented beverage industry but also opens doors for a more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly production of kombucha. Learn how technology and passion can transform fermentation into art, redefining the flavor and accessibility of kombucha.

Leonardo Andrade
1:50 PM - 2:20 PM

 When we experienced the global pandemic our wheels at started turning on how to continue to get kombucha to all of our current customers. We stuck it out with the shut down still being able to operate our business fully from the farmers markets and by doing a door to door delivery service. When everything opened back up we had to start from the bottom with our wholesale accounts as most went out of business or changed their operations completely. In this presentation you’ll find ideas on how to get your products in other retailers, how to get started at the farmers markets and local holiday markets or fairs.

Denisse Padilla
2:20 PM - 2:50 PM

The key ingredients to build your brand's DNA 2) the keys to positioning your brand in the mind of your audience 3) How to differentiate your brand in the marketplace

Jake Ahles