Craft Beverage Expo to Host First-Ever Women in Craft Forum December 5, 2019 in Louisville, KY

Groundbreaking program features female craft beverage thought leaders, Samuel Adams Co-Founder Rhonda Kallman and Master Bourbon Taster Peggy Noe Stevens

LOUISVILLE, KY (September XX, 2019) — Craft Beverage Expo (CBE), the only show dedicated to independent beverage producers, announced today that it is expanding this year’s Craft Beverage Expo to be held December 3-5, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Women in Craft Forum on December 5th offers education, collaboration, and networking shared by female craft beverage pioneers and thought leaders.

Forum Agenda
According to Kellie Shevlin, Executive Director of the Craft Beverage Expo, “Our goal with this forum is to encourage greater collaboration among women in the craft beverage industry to take on a larger role in shaping its direction. In doing so, we hope to also develop a community that fuels positive change and growth in our industry, illustrating what’s possible for women who enjoy working with craft wine, beer, cider, and spirits.”

The comprehensive program agenda was developed from forum partner input. The content also originated from feedback and ideas the expo received from past attendees. Wide-ranging topics will be presented throughout the forum, including:

• Building Your Community: Creation of Meaningful Connections presented by
  Ginger Johnson, well-known professional speaker and connector;
• Paving Your Way: Routes to Success;
• Rethinking Your Role: Diversity in the Workplace, including panelist Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits;
• Understanding Your Value: The Financial Impact of Women;
• Building Your Case: The Importance of Self-Advocacy; and
• Designing Your Journey: Career Planning.

Craft Beverage Icon Rhonda Kallman to Serve as Keynote Speaker
The forum includes a keynote address from Rhonda Kallman, Co-Founder of Samuel Adams (The Boston Beer Company), one of the country’s first craft beers and a leading global beer brand. Throughout her career, Rhonda has founded and developed other craft beers and beverages, building these businesses from the ground-up. She will discuss the lessons she has learned throughout her extensive career in this industry. These lessons include those from her most recent venture, the Boston Harbor Distillery, a craft whiskey company she continues to head since opening it in 2015.

Industry Pioneer, Peggy Noe Stevens to be Forum Moderator
The forum’s moderator is Peggy Noe Stevens, the world’s first female Master Bourbon Taster. As a craft beverage industry pioneer, she also founded Bourbon Women, the first women’s consumer organization in the beverage industry. The organization is transforming the industry and the role women take in it, growing exponentially since its inception and garnering significant corporate support from the top brands in bourbon. In commenting on her role in the Women in Craft forum, Stevens noted, “This event has been a long time in the making. It’s the catalyst we need for changing perceptions in an industry that has been previously dominated by men. I am honored to watch more female executives, founders, and thought leaders join our ranks. This forum not only celebrates the incredible transformation within the craft beverage industry, but it also paves the way to generate more career opportunities and success for women.”

Tickets + Registration
Tickets for the Women in Craft Forum are now available through this link. Regular pricing is $225 through midnight PST December 2, 2019. On-site tickets are also available for the Women in Craft forum for $300.

Tickets to the Craft Distribution Conference and Craft Beverage Trade Show, are also now on sale. Visit the Craft Beverage Expo website to access the expo’s registration and purchase process.

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About the Craft Beverage Expo
Founded in 2014, Craft Beverage Expo (CBE) is the leading trade exposition and conference for the entire craft beverage industry, with the primary goal of creating and defining a cohesive craft beer, wine, cider, mead and spirits market, and non-alcoholic beverage market, including kombucha, craft soda and tea. As the premier show for the industry, CBE offers education, marketing strategies and turnkey solutions for the challenges facing craft beverage producers today. CBE 2019 will take place December 3-5, in Louisville, KY. For more information, visit www.craftbeverageexpo.com.