Craft Brewers Conference: Everything You Need to Stand Out in a Crowd
Have you ever been to the Crafts Brewers Conference (CBC)? If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. The CBC, presented by the Brewers Association, is an annual gathering of industry-leading professionals where craft brewers can get together to learn, network and grow. It’s the only event for both packaging breweries and on-site breweries like brewpubs and taprooms. Why? Because a love of craft beer and a desire to sell that beer unites brewers and distributors alike.
This year, the CBC is from April 21-24, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV! Wondering what you can expect from attending the yearly CBC, or why you should clear those dates on your calendar? Read on!
Why You Should Attend the Craft Brewers Conference
We get it – it can be hard to leave your brewpub or step back from your brewing tanks. But the Craft Brewers Conference is totally worth it.
Not only can you make friends and grow your professional network on the tradeshow floor, the CBC also offers a chance to learn more about your industry and how to grow your craft beer business with world class educational tracks. These tracks offer seminars, demos, tastings and panel discussions.
This year’s educational tracks are:
- Business & Leadership
- Production & Operations
- Government Affairs & Legal
- Export Development
- Quality & Ingredients
- Sales & Marketing
- Taprooms & Brewpubs
- Thrive
As if that wasn’t enough, CBC is an industry-only event that draws thousands of craft beer makers, distributors and related businesses to its trade show floor every year. And that means endless opportunities to expand your professional network by connecting with distributors, labeling and packaging experts, and so many more industry pros. The CBC is your chance to learn how to grow your business and stand out from the competition.
How to Stand Out at the Craft Brewers Conference
The educational tracks the CBC offers are an amazing chance to listen to and learn from industry-leading professionals. But the trade show floor is just as valuable to conference attendees. It’s here you’ll meet the exhibitors who might just become your most valuable connections as you build and grow your business.
These exhibitors can help your brews stand out in an industry chock full of incredible beers, in a number of ways. As you walk the trade show floor, keep a look out for exhibitors who specialize in the following:
Custom Brewery Labels
You really can’t spend enough time and careful planning on creating a custom label for your craft beers. Store shelves are crowded with craft and artisanal brews, and your label needs to do some mighty heavy lifting in order to grab attention and get your beer into someone’s cart.
Unique designs are a must, but these designs also have to incorporate all the information about the brew and your brewery that you’re legally required to include. On top of that, your custom brewery labels need to carry the vibe of your brand from package to bottle, from pilsner to stout. Wormtown Brewery’s Be Hoppy pale ale is a joyful shout, bright and cheerful – it tells you a lot about their brand!
You, as an expert in making spectacular beer, are probably a little (or a lot) out of your element when it comes to label design and creation. You need to work with experts who can guide you through the process and deliver stunning labels that suit your brew. The CBC is the perfect chance to find those experts.
Custom Brewery Stickers
Stickers are awesome. Ok, we’re a little biased, but come on – who doesn’t love a sticker? Custom brewery stickers are a great way to promote new products, events or even your brewery itself, like the Cape May Brewing Co. sticker above.
Loyal customers love to show their brand pride by slapping some sticky merch on a laptop, cell phone case or elsewhere. Stickers are also great to have if you vend at events like festivals or trade shows. They make great handouts on a trade show floor to draw attention to your booth or display.
Affordable and endlessly useful marketing tools, stickers are fantastic to add to your promotional toolbox. Look for exhibitors with experience creating stickers in a variety of shapes from different materials as you walk the CBC trade show.
Brewery Canopy Tents
Speaking of vending and exhibiting, anyone who’s ever spent hours outdoors at a festival knows the value of not only standing out from the competition, but also having a bit of shade. Custom canopy tents advertising your brewery provide both, as you can see from the Great Lakes Brewery tent above. Sturdy yet easy to set up, tear down and transport, canopy tents can be custom printed on every side and come in a variety of sizes.
If taking your brews on the road is at all on your business to-do list, canopy tents need to be on your radar. Look for CBC exhibitors that offer quality custom printing, as well as a customer service team that can help you translate your brand and design ideas onto the durable fabric of a custom canopy tent.
Custom Brewery Banners
Custom brewery banners draw the eye and announce your presence wherever you display them. Banners can be used in indoor spaces, but as they’re usually made of heavy duty, weather-resistant material, outdoor displays are also a viable option.
Use brewery banners to announce and advertise everything from a new product launch to upcoming events or, as Big Grove Brewery shows, your brewery itself. Custom printing means your banner can say whatever you want it to say – just make sure it says quality at the same time! As you meander through the endless variety of exhibitors at this year’s CBC, make a note to stop and talk to quality custom printers, and ask them about their banner options.
Stand Out With Stomp
The Craft Brewers Conference is that very special time of year when industry pros and newbies alike can gather, meet, learn and, of course, sample a few top notch brews. Whether you’re a craft beer brewer, taproom owner or distributor, put the CBC on your calendar (April 21-24, 2024) . You don’t want to miss it.
In between panel discussions and presentations, put in as much time as you can on the trade show floor. It’s there you’ll meet the exhibitors and vendors who can take your craft brewery business to the next level. Make sure to stop by and say hello to Stomp as you cruise the exhibits, we will be at Booth #998. We’ve got all your custom label, packaging and display needs covered. Ask us how you can stand out with Stomp’s custom brewery products. We can’t wait to tell you all about it.
- Nashira Edmiston
