2nd Annual Craft Beverage Expo Celebrates Sold-out Showfloor

May 31, 2015

Even after a public attack by Budweiser during Super Bowl 2015 mocking craft beer drinkers, it didn’t seem to faze those who are in the industry at all, with the recent Craft Beverage Expo selling out its showfloor.

In its second year, CBE 2015 not only gathered professionals in beer, wine, spirits and cider, but it also expanded its audience to include mead, sake and soda segments.

“The CBE staff has worked tirelessly to provide attendees with a diverse set of resources,” said Kellie Shevlin, executive director of Craft Beverage Expo.

She added, “We know these craft beverage producers are extremely busy and can’t easily set aside time for professional development. We wanted to make sure CBE 2015 had everything they’d need to keep them competitive and up to industry standards for the entire year.”

CBE also added to its curriculum, offering a total of 26 breakout sessions presented by 72 experts touching on marketing strategies, business development and real solutions to the specific problems both big and small craft beverage producers face on a regular basis, according to show organizers.

The biggest CBE 2015 attractions were the two town-hall style general session panel discussions. Led by industry leaders such as Ralph Erenzo, co-founder of Tuthilltown Spirits, Joe Wagner of Copper Cane Wines & Provisions and David Walker, founder of Firestone Walker Brewing, each focused on facilitating collaboration amongst the robust craft community beyond show walls to further strengthen the efforts of small batch producers across the country. “

A lot of what CBE revealed is how the craft beverage industry has a lot more crossover than people would think,” said Ted Huber of Starlight Distilling and CBE keynote panelist. “We have the same common goals, to make great products and find ways to get those products out to new consumers. So it’s natural that we have a lot of the same problems, same issues getting our products to the marketplace, dealing with restaurants and dealing with issues on-premise, off-premise.”

Fellow CBE keynote and owner of Oskar Blues Brewing, Dale Katechis added, “Regardless of what space or beverage industry you’re in, there’s a lot to be learned at CBE on daily aspects of running a business.”

An intensive in-planning workshop, focused on “Starting Your Own Craft Business,” had attending producers participating in discussions lead by top industry professionals such as Craig Rashkis, Farwell Rashkis LLP Attorney-at-law, who specializes in alcohol law, and chief deputy director of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Lori Ajax, addressing legal, accounting and regulatory issues for new businesses of the various craft sectors.

The third edition of Craft Beverage Expo will be held May 18-20 in Oakland, Calif.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.