This was the fifth year in a row that the VicinityBrew Software team has had the opportunity to attend and exhibit at the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America trade show. Here is a recap of the event, as well as highlights from our experience at the Craft Brewers Conference 2017, in Washington, D.C.
“The nation’s capital hosted more than 13,300 attendees during the 2017 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America (April 10-13). BrewExpo set new records with more than 900 vendors and spanned two levels in addition to hosting six Coolships (hospitalities) on the expo floor. CBC was last in Washington, D.C. in 2013, with 6,400 attendees and 440 exhibiting companies—that’s 108% of collective growth in four years!”
– Brewers Association
PHOTOS © BREWERS ASSOCIATION
Welcome Reception at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
The VicinityBrew Software team had a great time at the Craft Brewers Conference Welcome Reception at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Throughout the night we tried a variety of great craft beers, met new people while and ran into some of our current clients while exploring some of the interesting displays at the museum like the hope diamond and butterfly room. The event could not have kicked off CBC 2017 any better!
“Guests sipped craft beer from 47 local breweries while networking and exploring the historic and cultural touchstones of American history. The evening inspired camaraderie among independent brewers as many reflected on the history of our Founding Fathers.”
– Brewers Association
PHOTOS © BREWERS ASSOCIATION
Brewbound Brew Talks at Penn Social
VicinityBrew the was a proud sponsor of Brewbound’s Brew Talks CBC: Industry Networking and Business Discussion at Penn Social, which was hosted by Dogfish Head brewery. The panel discussions were insightful and entertaining. The topics covered were the Evolving Three-Tier Dynamics as well as The Maturation of the Craft Category. We learned a lot during this talk from panelists such as Sam Calagione, Founder and Todd Bolig, Vice President of Sales, both from Dogfish Head Brewery, as well as Chris Lennert of Left Hand Brewing, David Walker, Co-Founder of Firestone Walker, and more.
“The distributors have a very clear ask. Keep giving the consumers what they want; they want creativity, they want diversity, they want innovation, they want new. But we need to really get better, regardless of the scale of the brewery, at giving the distributors and retailers what they need.”
– Sam Calagione, Co-Founder of Dogfish Head Brewery
BrewExpo America Trade Show
As we do every year, we all had a great time on the BrewExpo America trade show floor, meeting a lot of new faces, teaching them about our brewery management software, and reconnecting with our current clients who stopped by our booth, such as Catawba Brewing, Fat Bottom Brewery, and Grey Sail Brewing.
“It’s hard to consider a trade show with open taps at 11:00 am work. The Craft Brewers Conference is a great event to be a part of, a great excuse to get out and see the sites around D.C.! CBC offers the opportunity to meet talented brewers and learn what the latest projects they have going on while reconnecting with old friends and clients from across the nation in one great location.”
– Kaitlyn McKendry, Marketing Manager, VicinityBrew Software
Pink Boots Society Annual Meeting
The VicinityBrew ladies had the opportunity of attending the Pink Boots Society Annual CBC International Meeting on April 13th, the last day of the Craft Brewers Conference. The meeting was held at Right Proper Brewing Company and gave us the opportunity mingle with the growing group and learn about Pink Boots Society’s efforts over the last year, including membership status, the scholarship program, as well as new events such as Bierre de Femme. VicinityBrew Software has been a member of Pink Boots Society since 2013.
All of us at VicinityBrew Software had an incredible time at the Craft Brewers Conference this year. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, we hope to see you all again next year at the Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville! If you have any questions for us or want to know more about our brewery management software solutions, please contact us today!
