Ontario Craft Brewers, the provincial industry association representing independent craft brewers, today announced details of its annual conference to be held in November 2018.
The Seventh annual Ontario Craft Brewers Conference & Suppliers Marketplace takes place on Wednesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Beanfield Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
“The OCB annual conference and trade show has become so significant, we expanded it to two days,” says Paul Corriveau of Railway City Brewing & chair of OCBC 2018. “We expect over 1,200 of our industry’s top brewers, decision-makers, thought leaders and supporters to attend this annual education, networking and sales event. With over 170+ exhibitors, it is Canada’s largest craft brewing industry conference and trade show.”
Day One Keynote Speaker: Kicking off the two-day event with an engaging keynote address will be U.S. craft brewing industry authority Julia Herz, Craft Beer Program Director for the Brewers Association, publisher of CraftBeer.com. Julia will share fresh and critical insight regarding the state of craft brewing in the U.S. with a focus on trends and key issues such as market access, beer labeling and advancement of the beverage of beer. Julia is co-author of the free CraftBeer.com Beer & Food Course, as well co-author of Beer Pairing (Voyageur Press). She is an award-winning homebrewer, BJCP beer judge and Certified Cicerone® and beer educator. She has been featured by The Splendid Table, The Food Network’s Unwrapped, CNBC’s Closing Bell and Good Morning America Live.
Master Brewer’s Association of the Americals (MBAA) Technical Session: The Ontario Craft Brewers Conference 2018 planning committee is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with the MBAA Ontario district. As leaders in brewing education and as OCBC’s official “Education Partner,” MBAA will organize technical content sessions and speakers.
“The Master Brewer’s Association of the Americas, Ontario District, is pleased to participate in this new educational collaboration with Ontario Craft Brewers,” says Ueli Schrader, LSI Control Systems Integration Canada and MBAATechnical Chair. “By organizing a day of technical sessions, we hope to bring our industry together in a new and collaborative way. United we brew!”
Ontario Hops Growers (OHGA)
The OHGA is also an OCBC strategic partner, organizing a brewers’ hops exchange and providing an update on the BrewOn initiative launched at OCBC 2017.
“OHGA is pleased to once again participate in the Ontario Craft Brewers Conference,” says Albert Witteveen, President OHGA. “It’s a great place for our membership to connect growers with brewers, network and learn the latest trends, developments and preferences in our budding sector.”
Ontario Craft Cider Association (OCCA) Breakouts:
For the first time this year, OCBC will host the OCCA in a dedicated breakout room at the Beanfield Centre so the industry body responsible for supporting and promoting the interests of Ontario cider producers can hold cider-specific education and networking sessions.
“We are thrilled to come on board as an education partner of the OCB conference, as we look forward to share and exchange ideas with the craft brewers,” says Richard Liu of Ironwood Cider and Chair of Ontario Craft Cider Association. “Together, we hope to make a bigger impact in the craft beverage sector in Ontario.”
OCBC Presentation Topics to Date: (check OCBC website for updates/revisions):
LCBO Sessions: Doing business with LCBO – Grocery Operations; How to do Business with LCBO – for new breweries only; How to build your business with LCBO; Quality Assurance Update.
MBAA Technical Sessions: Barrel Management, KEG Maintenance, Wastewater Management
HOPS Sessions: OHGA Hops rub; Hops Exchange; Update on BrewOn program
CIDER Sessions: Ontario Craft Cider industry update, education sessions.
Sales, Marketing & Tourism: Making Ontario a bucket list brewing region (Beer Sisters, John Scholl of Cicerone); Diversity & Inclusion in the Ontario’s Craft Brewing Industry; Online Retailing by Craft Breweries; Sales Training for On-Premise Success; LCBO/TBS retail data analysis; Packaging; Branding & Canning.
Business/Operations: Financing and grant funding; Trademark & IP; Impact of Bill 148; Interprovincial Trade Barriers, Export for Success; Government Lobbying, OCB Membership, Web, Technical, Marketing & PR Updates.
Speed Mentoring“ workshops with OCB Board and Member Breweries; more topics/speakers TBC…
Early Bird Ticket Rate: Register here before August 15, 2018 to receive the early bird ticket rate. With a base ticket of $475 (plus tax and fees) for the two-day conference and trade show, early bird OCB members receive a 25 per cent discount and non-members 15 per cent off the two-day admission price.Ticket prices include: continental breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks and craft beer reception (Wed) and after party on Thursday.
Engage & Connenct on Pheedloop: All information about OCBC can be found on a one-stop-shop mobile event app and website. At registration, attendees are invited to join the Pheedloop community to receive all OCBC news and updates, engage with colleagues, speakers, suppliers, sponsors, build custom schedules.
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170+ leading-edge industry suppliers
1,200+ attendees including 100+ senior brewery decision makers
31,000 sq. ft. of total exhibit space
8′ deep x 10′ wide table/booth space
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Ontario Craft Brewers: Real People. Real Craft Beer
The Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB) is an association of 80+ small, independent brewers dedicated to making great-tasting, high-quality beer across the province. OCB develops and produces hundreds of different brands and styles of beers using fresh, all natural ingredients in communities throughout Ontario. These craft breweries are located in over 110 communities across the province and in total, there are over 270 operating breweries, with an estimated 100+ in various planning stages. In addition, Ontario is home to 80 brewpubs with that number also expected to grow in 2018. OCB’s long-term vision is to make Ontario a North American Centre of Excellence for Craft Brewing.
For more information about the Ontario Craft Brewers, visit www.ontariocraftbrewers.com