Each fall during BC Craft Beer Month, the BC Craft Brewers Guild organizes an annual gathering for its members and their many friends in related industries around the province. The BC Craft Brewers Conference evolved into its current form in 2017, and it’s now safely established as the industry event of the year for the BC brewing and craft beer community. It’s not just for brewers; anyone who is a fan of the BC craft beer industry, or who would like to become part of it, can benefit from what they will learn by attending.
In Year 3 BCBeerCon has taken a giant leap forward, with a new website and a substantially expanded format. Let’s pop the cap on Beer Me BC’s breakdown of the most impressive ways the Conference has grown for 2019.
Ten signs that #BCBeerCon is bigger than ever in 2019
1. New Location
The Conference takes place just before BC Beer Awards. For the first two years, the Conference was held at the same Croatian Cultural Centre that BCBA uses. This year, significant growth has triggered a move to a new, larger location: the Harbour Convention Centre.
Note: HCC is NOT the Vancouver Convention Centre at Canada Place. It’s the former Edgewater Casino at the Plaza of Nations, on Vancouver’s False Creek waterfront next to BC Place Stadium. Location →
2. Two Days
Up until now, the Conference was a Friday affair, nestled up next to BC Beer Awards on the Saturday. The events schedule has now expanded into Thursday to handle it all. Schedule →
3. Multiple Keynotes
Bryan Roth
Each year there is a headlining guest speaker. In 2019, for the first time, there is one each day:
- Bryan Roth of the amazing beer website Good Beer Hunting. View Bio →
- Steve Beauchesne of beloved, pioneering Ontario brewery Beau’s Brewing Co. View Bio →
4. Twenty-Five Speakers
The largest-ever array of Conference presenters includes international talent with a broad spectrum of beer knowledge. Speakers →
5. Multiple Tracks
The many BCBeerCon seminars are organized into categories called “tracks”. The themes that have been tailored for you include Brewing + Technical, Marketing and Operations. Filter the schedule by track here →
6. Bigger Trade Show
BCBeerCon 2019 will feature 60+ industry vendors for you to network with. Plus, there’s a chance to win at something called Scavenger Hunt! Exhibitors →
7. Thursday Kickoff: Dinner, Keynote & Mingler
The new Thursday night schedule will feature a BBQ & Beer Dinner. Then, after Bryan Roth’s keynote address, there’s Mingler party featuring DJ Hebegebe. Schedule →
8. Friday Lunch N Learns
Your Conference admission includes a number of meals. But to keep the info flowing during a packed schedule, BCBeerCon 2019 features presentations you will enjoy while you munch your lunch. Schedule →
9. North Van Brews Cruise
New this year: opt in for a private pre-conference shuttle to some of North Van’s hottest new breweries with Vine & Hops Tours! Grab tickets using the special code on this page: Brews Cruise →
10. Afterparty Activities
At this year’s Conference afterparty, to be held at Vancouver’s Maritime Labour Centre, you will be able to take the New Line Hose Skills Challenge while you rock to the Battle of the Beer Bands! Afterparty →
But wait: this list goes to 11!
11. New Website
For 2019, the BC Craft Brewers Conference has outgrown its old page on the Guild website, and now there’s a dedicated website with all the information you need on tap.
Find it at www.bccraftbrewersconference.com
EVENT TICKETS ≫
Memories Gallery
Selected images from BC Craft Brewers Conference 2018. Images: Brian K. Smith and Dave Smith
