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American Craft Spirits Association Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show 2018

American Craft Spirits Association Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show 2018

04mar(mar 4)12:00 am06(mar 6)11:59 pmAmerican Craft Spirits Association Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show 20185th Annual Distillers Convention & Trade Show

Event Details

The American Craft Spirits Association is a registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Join us at the 5th annual Distillers Convention & Trade Show that will bring together the largest gathering of craft spirits producers in the U.S.

This event was created for licensed Distilled Spirits Plant – DSPs and for people that are interested in learning how to plan for, budget for and open a new craft spirits distillery.

Bridging the Future – Educational Sessions

March 5 & 6 
Our extensive lineup of more than 28 educational sessions are broken into three distinctive tracks.

  • Business Essentials Track – Click on Day 2 & 3 below for details.
  • Sales & Marketing Track – Click on Day 2 & 3 below for details.
  • Technical Know-How Track  – Click on Day 2 & 3 below for details.

Our cutting-edge education sessions offer attendees the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced and prestigious professionals in the industry. Together, these tracks are sure to take your existing distillery or your distillery startup plans to the next level. Educational Sessions include full access to the Trade Show Exhibit Hall.

Members – $625 | Non-Members – $825Register Now
Click on DAY 2 and DAY 3 below for session details…

Trade Show Exhibit Hall

March 4, 5 & 6 
Why wait for a good thing? This year, we’re helping you get more from your convention experience. Upon arrival on March 4th, come visit us at preregistration beginning at 4 pm and be welcomed with a libation and snack while visiting the trade show floor PRIOR to the official opening. Avoid the crowds and spend more time with our suppliers and friends in our industry. Trade Show Exhibit Hall entry is included for all paid attendees.

Pennsylvania Consumer Tasting Event at the Heinz History Center

Monday, March 5, 2018
ACSA has partnered with the Pennsylvania Guild to co-host a consumer tasting event at the Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Luckily, we timed our convention with the last stop on a nationwide tour: AMERICAN SPIRITS – THE RISE AND FALL OF PROHIBITION. Come learn more about our industry and witness the first comprehensive exhibit dedicated to bringing to life the story of Prohibition.

Craft Spirits Judging Awards Dinner

Tuesday March 6, 2018
Drum Roll Please… Help us close our convention with an unparalleled night of fun. Be a part of our community to celebrate medalists from our annual Craft Spirits Competition and toast our 5th year as a trade group created and run by licensed craft spirits DSPs. See The Complete List: American Craft Spirits Association 2017 Award Winners here.

Pre-Convention Program

Making Sense of Plans & Blueprints – Building Your First Commercial Distillery

March 3rd & 4th
Dalkita Architecture and Construction, through its principals Scott and Colleen Moore, will provide the nuts and bolts of building your first commercial distillery. They will unveil the knowledge necessary to construct a safe and work-friendly distillery and provide practical advice on the concepts a distillery business owner must know.
Separate Ticketed Event | Member $395 | Non-Member $425Register Now

Invest in yourself in 2018 by signing up to attend the ACSA Distillers Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Pittsburgh, PA, the home of 446 bridges.

Have Questions?

Contact: Teresa McDaniel | 502-807-4249
Email: Teresa@AmericanCraftSpirits.org

Schedule

    • Day 1
    • Day 2
    • Day 3
    • march 4, 2018
    • 4:00pm ACSA Trade Show Exhibit Hall4:00pm- 8:00pm
      Why wait for a good thing? This year, we're helping you get more from your convention experience. Upon arrival on March 4th, come visit us at preregistration beginning at 4 pm and be welcomed with a libation and snack while visiting the trade show floor PRIOR to the official opening. Avoid the crowds and spend more time with our suppliers and friends in our industry. Trade Show Exhibit Hall entry is included for all paid attendees.
    • march 5, 2018
    • 9:00am Welcome and Opening Remarks9:00am- 9:15am
      Welcome and Introduction by ACSA Executive Director Margie A.S. Lehrman and President Mark Shilling.
    • 9:15am KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Fawn Weaver - Co-Founder of Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey9:15am- 10:00am
      Weaver is a NY Times bestselling author, national speaker, TED talks presenter, lifestyle blogger, and founder of the Nearest Green Foundation, an organization devoted to honoring Nathan “Nearest” Green, the man who likely taught Jack Daniel how to distill. The Nearest Green Foundation’s brand includes Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey, which recently won Gold at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, as well as other premium products that are distilled, aged, bottled, and hand-labeled in Tennessee. Weaver will reveal her extensive research and how she used it to rewrite history, the history of the first master distiller for an iconic Tennessee whiskey. Together we will bridge a new future of diversity, connection, and respect in the spirits community.
    • 10:00AM TOWN HALL - The FET/History and What's Up Ahead10:00AM- 11:30AM
      Town Hall: The FET/History and What's Up Ahead
    • 11:30am ACSA Trade Show Exhibit Hall Opening & Ribbon Cutting11:30am- 5:15pm
      Take advantage of having all the industry vendors in one place at one time. See the latest in distilled spirits products and services.
    • 12:00pm Attendee & Exhibitor Lunch Station12:00pm- 1:00pm
      Lunch for all.
    • 1:00pm SALES/MARKETING TRACK - A Blended Approach to an Impactful Marketing Strategy1:00pm- 1:55pm
      Susan Mooney and Matthew Baris of Spirits Consulting Group, “A Blended Approach to an Impactful Marketing Strategy”
    • 1:00pm TECHNICAL TRACK - Fermentation and Flavor Optimization1:00pm- 1:55pm
      Elizabeth Rhoades, Diageo, “Fermentation and Flavor Optimization”
    • 1:00pm BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TRACK - Acquisition Basics1:00pm- 1:55pm
      Ryan Malkin, Malkin Law, “Acquisition Basics”
    • 2:00pm SALES/MARKETING TRACK - How to Maximize Your Tasting Room Experience2:00pm- 2:55pm
      Emily Pennington, Wine & Spirits Daily, “How To Maximize Your Tasting Room Experience”
    • 2:00pm TECHNICAL TRACK - Understanding Aroma & Flavors and Optimizing Sensory Quality of Spirit Beverages2:00pm- 2:55pm
      Binod Maitin, FlavorActiV, “Understanding Aroma & Flavors and Optimizing Sensory Quality of Spirit Beverages”
    • 2:00pm BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TRACK - Preparing for a Sale or Strategic Investment: Practical Tips & Best Practices2:00pm- 2:55pm
      Kevin O’Brien, Zepponi & Company, “Preparing for a Sale or Strategic Investment: Practical Tips & Best Practices”
    • 3:15pm SALES/MARKETING TRACK - Panel Discussion on Storytelling3:15pm- 4:10pm
      Panel Discussion on Storytelling - Distill Ventures, Merz, Robin Robinson, Solid Light
    • 3:15pm TECHNICAL TRACK - Comparative Distillations for Small and Large Micro-Distilleries3:15pm- 4:10pm
      John McKee, Headframe Spirits, “Comparative Distillations for Small and Large Micro-Distilleries”
    • 3:15pm BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE - Maximizing the Value of your Data - Business Essentials Track3:15pm- 4:10pm
      Donald Snyder and Jack Sigan, Whiskey Resources, “Business Intelligence - Maximizing the Value of your Data”
    • 4:15pm SALES/MARKETING TRACK – Panel Discussion on Packaging4:15pm- 5:10pm
      Panel Discussion on Packaging - MCC Label,O-I, Universal Packaging Corp
    • 4:15pm TECHNICAL TRACK - Separation Anxiety: Observational Insights to Understanding Filtration4:15pm- 5:10pm
      Maria Peterson, Scott Laboratories, “Separation Anxiety: Observational Insights to Understanding Filtration”
    • 4:15pm BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TRACK - Routes to Market in a Consolidated Distributor Landscape4:15pm- 5:10pm
      Harry Kohlmann, Park Street, “Routes to Market in a Consolidated Distributor Landscape”
    • 5:30pm 5:30PM Pennsylvania Consumer Tasting Event at the Heinz History Center5:30pm- 8:30pm
      ACSA has partnered with the Pennsylvania Distillers Guild to co-host a consumer tasting event at the Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Luckily, we timed our convention with the last stop on a nationwide tour: AMERICAN SPIRITS - THE RISE AND FALL OF PROHIBITION. Come learn more about our industry and witness the first comprehensive exhibit dedicated to bringing to life the story of Prohibition.
    • march 6, 2018
    • 8:00am ACSA Trade Show Exhibit Hall8:00am- 4:00pm
      Get face to face on the exhibit hall floor with industry leading craft spirits suppliers looking to earn your business.
    • 8:00am Guild Roundtable8:00am- 10:00am
      Guild Roundtable - Open to all State Guild Leadership
    • 8:00am Guild Lawyers8:00am- 10:00am
      Guild Lawyers
    • 9:00am Meet the 2018 ACSA Candidates9:00am- 10:00am
      Meet the Candidates Forum Open to all attendees
    • 10:00am SALES/MARKETING TRACK - Working With the Media10:00am- 10:55am
      Alexandra Clough, Gather PR, “Working With the Media”
    • 10:00am TECHNICAL TRACK - Identifying and Managing Combustible Dust10:00am- 10:55am
      Devin Mills/Colleen Moore, Dalkita, “(Another One Fights the) Dust - a.k.a. Identifying and Managing Combustible Dust”
    • 10:00am BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TRACK - Process Management: Does it Really Apply?10:00am- 10:55am
      Ed Gorman, Aires Consulting, “Process Management: Does it Really Apply?”
    • 11:00am SALES/MARKETING TRACK - Leveraging Media Properly to Market your Brand11:00am- 11:55am
      Kate Cardinali, Innovate Media + Design, “Leveraging Media Properly to Market your Brand”
    • 11:00am TECHNICAL TRACK - 80 Years So far For Faster Maturation - Why We Might Not Get There11:00am- 11:55am
      Gary Spedding, BDAS, LLC, “80 Years So far For Faster Maturation - Why We Might Not Get There”
    • 11:00am BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TRACK - KISS: Simple Rules for Bank Funding & Building Brand Value for Investment11:00am- 11:55am
      John Fisher/Jeff Clark, Fisher & Company LLC, “KISS: Simple Rules for Bank Funding & Building Brand Value for Investment”
    • 12:00pm Attendee & Exhibitor Lunch Station12:00pm- 1:00pm
      Lunch for all.
    • 1:00pm SALES/MARKETING TRACK - Trends in Craft Spirits1:00pm- 1:55pm
      Brandy Rand, IWSR, “Trends in Craft Spirits”
    • 1:00pm TECH TRACK - Distillery in a Box - The Future of Distillery Equipment1:00pm- 1:55pm
      Anthony White, Haskell, “Distillery in a Box - The Future of Distillery Equipment”
    • 1:00pm BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TRACK - What Every Craft Spirit Producer Needs to Know About Asset Protection, Tax Reduction, and Estate Planning1:00pm- 1:55pm
      Larry Oxenham, American Society for Asset Protection, “What Every Craft Spirit Producer Needs to Know About Asset Protection, Tax Reduction, and Estate Planning”
    • 2:00pm SALES/MARKETING TRACK - Control States or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Regulations2:00pm- 2:55pm
      Scott Winters, American Spirits Exchange Limited, “Control States or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Regulations”
    • 2:00pm TECHNICAL TRACK - Full of Spirit: Designing and Engineering Craft Distilleries Capable of Producing Multiple Spirit Types all Under one Roof2:00pm- 2:55pm
      James Ludford-Brooks, Briggs of Burton plc, “Full of Spirit: Designing and Engineering Craft Distilleries Capable of Producing Multiple Spirit Types all Under one Roof”
    • 2:00pm BUSINESS ESSENTIALS TRACK - Funding Your Business Without Going to Jail - Securities Compliance for the Small Distilleries2:00pm- 2:55pm
      Brian DeFoe, Lane Powell, “Funding Your Business Without Going to Jail - Securities Compliance for the Small Distilleries”
    • 3:15pm SALES/MARKETING TRACK - eCommerce: Not Just for Consumers Anymore3:15pm- 4:10pm
      Karen Barnes, Wine Direct Marketing, “eCommerce: Not Just for Consumers Anymore”
    • 3:15pm TECHNICAL TRACK - Tradition and Innovation in Distilling Malts - a UK Perspective3:15pm- 4:10pm
      Colin Johnston, Crisp Malting Group, LTD, “Tradition and Innovation in Distilling Malts - a UK Perspective”
    • 3:15pm BUSINESS ESSENTIALS - TTB "What to Expect on a TTB Audit"3:15pm- 4:10pm
      Christopher Torello/Douglas Wallace, TTB "What to Expect on a TTB Audit"
    • 4:15pm Craft Spirits Data Project4:15pm- 5:10pm
      Harry Kohlmann, Park Street, and Adam Rogers, IWSR, Craft Spirits Data Project
    • 5:15pm Vendor Happy Hour5:15pm- 6:30pm
      Enjoy!
    • 6:30pm Craft Spirits Judging Competition Awards Dinner6:30pm- 9:00pm
      Craft Spirits Judging Competition Awards Dinner
    • 9:00pm Complimentary Tasting of Judged Craft Spirits9:00pm- 11:00pm
      This is a time to taste great spirits from ASCA members from across the country.

Time

4 (Sunday) 12:00 am - 6 (Tuesday) 11:59 pm

Location

The Wyndham Grand, Pittsburgh, PA

The Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown Hotel 600 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh PA, 15222

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