Brewers Association, Belgian Brewers, Travelocity and Smithsonian Headlining 2017 Beer Conferences

Zephyr Conferences is pleased to announce the 2017 keynote speakers for the Beer Now Conference, the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference (BMTC), and the Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference (BBC). The speakers this year include Bob Pease, president & CEO of the Brewers Association; Jean-Louis Van de Perre, chairman of the Belgian Brewers; Keith Nowak, director of Marketing & Communications for Travelocity; and Susan Evans, director of the Smithsonian Food History Programs.

Opening on March 17th in Sheffield, England, the 2017 Beer Now Conference will feature two keynote speakers. Bob Pease of the US-based Brewers Association will provide his thoughts on marketing and communications in the beer industry, comparing the booming US craft beer market to what is happening in the UK and Europe. The second keynote is Louis Van de Perre of Beglian Brewers. Known for its Trappist breweries and beer culture, Belgium’s entire beer culture was designated a UNESCO World Heritage feature and a new “temple to Belgium beer” is planned in the Brussels stock exchange building. Additional speakers for the three-day program include Richard Croasdale, editor-in-chief of Ferment magazine, Jack Daniel, digital lead at Britain’s Beer Alliance, and many other beer industry professionals, brewers, and writers.

Keith Nowak of Travelocity will provide the keynote address at the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference planned for March 28-30, 2017 in Ashville, North Carolina. Nowak is immersed in the world of travel tips, tricks and trends as he manages Travelocity’s ongoing communications efforts, which included creation of the Beer Tourism Index in cooperation with the Brewers Association.The BMTC is extremely timely; as the US craft beer market growth slows and the number of breweries continues to rise, marketing and tourism are taking on increasing importance. Attendees and speakers include breweries, brewery guilds, Destination Management Organizations, tour operators, bloggers, and media professionals.

Finally, Susan Evans is scheduled to kick off the Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference, August 3-6, 2017 in Milwaukee. Evans brings both traditional brewery experience from her time spent with Magic Hat Brewing Company in Vermont, as well as a non-traditional viewpoint based on her current work with the Smithsonian. This year’s BBC will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Best Place, the site of the historic Pabst Brewery, the first major Milwaukee brewery and America’s largest brewer from the late 1800s until 1946. Attendees will also experience a dinner at the MillerCoors Brewery, which brews up to 10 million gallons of beer per year, as well as visit three smaller breweries including Lakefront Brewery, Good City Brewing and Brenner Brewing.
   
Additional information on the conferences including agendas, speakers, pricing and lodging can be found on the conference websites: Beer Now; Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference; Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference.  

About Zephyr Conferences
Zephyr Conferences runs six conferences each year in the food, wine, and beer industries. The organization is committed to delivering outstanding experiences for attendees, speakers and sponsors. Current conferences organized by Zephyr Conferences include the Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference, the Beer Now Conference (formerly the European Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference), the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference, the Wine Bloggers Conference, the Wine Marketing & Tourism Conference and the International Food Blogger Conference. For information about our conferences, please email [email protected].