BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont will host the 2018 Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference on March 6-8.
The Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Burlington Vermont with optional excursions planned at Hotel Vermont in Burlington, Trapp Family Lodge Bierhall in Stowe, and Sugarbush Resort in Warren.
“Vermont is known worldwide for its exceptional craft beer, and has earned a reputation as a top-notch beer tourism destination,” said Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Wendy Knight. “This is precisely why Vermont is the perfect destination to host beer marketing and tourism professionals from around the country.”
Conference planners expect 300+ professionals from around the country representing breweries, brewery guilds, destination management organizations, tour operators, members of the media, and bloggers to attend. The Agenda for the for the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference includes sessions on best practices and partnerships to grow beer tourism, as well as multiple breakout sessions dedicated to marketers, tourism professionals, and tour operators.
Marketing sessions at the conference will include information on database management and email marketing, advanced social media, and legal protection for brands. The sessions for tourism professionals include leveraging the craft beer industry to revitalize downtowns, selling to non-craft beer drinkers, enhancing visitors’ experiences, and telling a destination’s story to help attract visitors. Sessions for tour operators include insights on the International Beer Tour Operators Association, working with breweries, brewery guilds and DMOS, and marketing for beer tour operators.
A Beer Expo & Opening Reception kicks off the conference. Registration also includes a welcome reception from the Vermont hosts and lunches showcasing Vermont craft beers. Attendees can also attend optional ticketed events, including a Beer Paring Dinner at Hotel Vermont, a Beer Tasting Dinner at Trapp Family Lodge Bierhall, and a Ski with the Brewers event at Sugarbush Resort.
“We are excited to welcome craft beer enthusiasts and industry partners to Vermont to creatively engage in how to promote our thriving industry,” said Melissa Corbin, Executive Director of the Vermont Brewers Association. “We have many opportunities planned throughout the conference for our visitors to connect with our membership and sample world-class craft beer."
Elite Sponsors for the conference are the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, the Vermont Convention Bureau, the Vermont Brewers Association, and the Vermont Ski Areas Association. Magic Hat Brewing Company of South Burlington is a Premier Sponsor of the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference.
Event Sponsors for the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference include 14th Star Brewing Co., Cabot Creamery Co-operative, Drop-in Brewery, Efficiency Vermont, Harpoon, Hermit Thrush Brewing, Hotel Vermont, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Long Trail Brewing Co., Mad River Distillers, Otter Creek Brewing Co., Prohibition Pig, Rock Art Brewery, SILO Distillery, Sugarbush Resort, von Trapp Brewing, and Woodchuck Cider.
Registration is now open for the Beer Marketing and Tourism Conference, with an early bird rate available for attendees through Jan. 31.