Uncork Your Potential: Your Definitive Guide to the Craft Beverage Expo!

Imagine a vibrant hub buzzing with the aroma of hops, the subtle notes of aged spirits, and the crisp freshness of hard ciders. Picture thousands of passionate independent producers – from burgeoning microbreweries and innovative distilleries to artisanal wineries and unique cideries – all converging to explore the latest trends, discover cutting-edge solutions, and forge crucial partnerships that will define the future of their craft. This is the exhilarating reality of the Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference (CBExpo), the undisputed, dynamic platform where the vast and diverse world of independent beverage production truly comes alive. This premier, industry-only trade show is the essential annual gathering, strategically positioned each year in a key U.S. city. With its highly anticipated return to Reno, Nevada, from May 14-15, 2025, at the Grand Sierra Resort, the CBExpo promises unparalleled educational and networking opportunities for anyone looking to expand their footprint in the thriving craft beverage industry. It’s not just a trade show; it’s a strategic powerhouse, a crucial nexus of innovation, distribution strategies, and invaluable peer-to-peer connections, meticulously engineered to empower independent beverage producers and drive their growth.

Step onto the bustling expo hall floor, an expansive landscape teeming with ingenuity and opportunity. You’ll be surrounded by an astonishing array of products and services catering to every facet of beverage production and distribution. This isn’t merely about viewing; it’s about experiencing the solutions firsthand. Discover the latest in bottling and brewing equipment, explore sustainable packaging innovations, learn about cutting-edge POS systems for tasting rooms, and delve into marketing tools designed to boost direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. The CBExpo offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with solution providers, attend expert-led sessions on crucial topics like supply chain logistics and brand building, and participate in buyer/supplier events designed for quick, impactful conversations. It’s where a small winery finds a new labeling machine that dramatically increases their efficiency; where a growing distillery learns how to navigate complex distribution channels; and where emerging kombucha brands gain invaluable insights into expanding their retail presence. For any craft beverage owner or operator looking to optimize their production, expand their market reach, predict consumer demand, or gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry, attending the Craft Beverage Expo is not merely an option—it’s an indispensable annual commitment that directly influences sales growth, fuels innovation, and strengthens vital industry relationships across the North American craft beverage landscape.

The independent craft beverage industry operates with incredible passion, but also faces unique complexities. From navigating diverse state-specific regulations and ensuring consistent quality, to effectively marketing to a discerning consumer base and securing viable distribution channels, producers face constant challenges. Successfully navigating this environment requires foresight, strategic partnerships, and access to the right tools and knowledge. The Craft Beverage Expo is precisely designed to address these multifaceted dynamics. It’s where a craft brewery owner can learn about the latest trends in taproom management or discover new ways to leverage digital marketing; where a spirits brand can connect with a distributor that aligns with their specific market goals; and where the entire ecosystem gains insights into legal compliance, financial planning, and the future of beverage technology. The CBExpo’s unwavering commitment to delivering practical solutions, providing industry-leading educational content, and facilitating direct business-to-business opportunities makes this an incredibly efficient platform for businesses of all sizes to thrive. If you’re a craft beverage producer striving to perfect your product, streamline your operations, or dramatically expand your market presence, or a service provider aiming to connect with hundreds of passionate and growing independent brands, attending the Craft Beverage Expo offers a practical, inspiring, and profoundly strategic experience that directly contributes to your success and strengthens the entire craft beverage ecosystem.

Your Crafting Ground: Venue, Time, and Cost

The Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference (CBExpo) is the premier annual event dedicated to the business needs of independent craft beverage producers in North America. It strategically rotates its location to bring its wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities to different regions of the USA.

The 2025 Venue: Reno’s Grand Stage For its 2025 edition, the CBExpo returns to a familiar and well-equipped location:

• Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada.

The Grand Sierra Resort is a comprehensive resort and convention center, offering an ideal setting for an event of this nature. Its facilities typically include:

• Extensive Convention Space: Ample exhibition halls to accommodate a wide array of exhibitors showcasing equipment, services, and products for beverage production and distribution.
• Meeting and Conference Facilities: Numerous rooms for the robust educational sessions and keynotes that are a hallmark of the CBExpo.
• Integrated Amenities: On-site dining, entertainment, and hotel accommodations, providing a convenient and immersive experience for attendees.
• Accessibility: Reno, Nevada, is served by the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), making it accessible for attendees from across the country. Its location in the Western U.S. allows it to serve a significant portion of the craft beverage market in that region.

Crafting Your Calendar: When and For How Long The Craft Beverage Expo is an annual event, consistently held in mid-May.

• When It Happens: The 2025 Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference will take place from May 14-15, 2025. This timing is strategically chosen to provide craft producers with critical insights and solutions mid-year, allowing them to optimize their operations, distribution strategies, and marketing plans for the remainder of the year and into the next.
• Duration: The core event typically spans two intensive days, packed with expo hall access, educational sessions, and dedicated networking opportunities. The co-location with the Tasting & Tap Room Conference and Expo often provides an even broader range of content and connections, maximizing the value of your time.

Investing in Your Growth: Cost of Participation Attending the Craft Beverage Expo is a strategic investment in the future of your craft beverage business. It is a trade-only event, exclusively for industry professionals.

• For Attendees (Producers, Retailers, etc.): Registration fees vary based on the type of pass desired (e.g., full conference vs. expo only) and the timing of registration (early bird vs. standard).
  • Based on past pricing, a full access pass, which includes educational sessions and expo hall access, might range from approximately $375 USD for early bird registration.
  • An “expo only” pass, providing access solely to the exhibition hall, could be around $50 USD.
  • Day passes are also often available, typically around $195 USD.
  • These prices are subject to change, and early registration is highly recommended for the best rates.
• For Exhibitors (Suppliers of Goods & Services): The cost to exhibit varies based on booth size and location. Exhibitor fees represent an investment in direct access to a highly targeted audience of independent craft beverage producers. Exhibitors typically purchase booth space by the square foot. This investment covers the booth space, potentially some basic furnishings, and inclusion in the show directory.

The investment reflects the specialized knowledge, direct access to key buyers and solution providers, and the unparalleled networking opportunities that the CBExpo offers for strategic growth in the craft beverage industry.

The Brewer’s Bounty: Key Product and Service Categories

The Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference is uniquely focused on the entire lifecycle of craft beverage production and distribution. Exhibitors showcase a wide array of products, equipment, and services specifically tailored to the needs of independent producers across various beverage types. Key categories include:

• Production Equipment:
  • Brewing & Fermentation: Tanks, kettles, fermenters, brewhouses, filtration systems, and yeast management solutions for beer, cider, and sake.
  • Distillation: Stills, condensers, and other equipment for spirits production.
  • Winemaking: Presses, crushers, tanks, barrels, and specialized winery equipment.
  • Carbonation & Dispensing: Carbonation systems, kegs, growlers, and taproom dispensing equipment.
  • Quality Control & Lab Equipment: Testing kits, analytical instruments, and quality assurance solutions.
• Packaging Solutions:
  • Bottling & Canning Lines: Filling, capping, and labeling machines for bottles and cans (including flexible systems for various sizes).
  • Labels & Packaging Materials: Custom label design and printing, sustainable packaging options (e.g., recyclable, biodegradable), cartons, and shrink wraps.
  • Closures: Caps, corks, stoppers, and seals.
  • Glassware & Growlers: Custom branded glassware and refillable growler options.
• Ingredients & Raw Materials:
  • Hops, Malt, Yeast: Essential components for beer and other fermented beverages.
  • Grains & Botanicals: Specialty grains, fruits, herbs, and other adjuncts for unique flavor profiles in beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Juices & Concentrates: For cider, wine, and mixed beverages.
  • Water Treatment: Water filtration and treatment systems for optimal beverage quality.
• Distribution & Logistics:
  • Distributors: Companies specializing in getting craft beverages into retail, restaurant, and bar channels.
  • Logistics & Warehousing: Solutions for storage, transportation, and supply chain management.
  • Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Solutions: E-commerce platforms, shipping services, and compliance tools for direct sales.
• Marketing & Sales:
  • Branding & Design: Graphic design services, brand strategy, and merchandise.
  • Digital Marketing: Social media management, website development, SEO, and online advertising specifically for beverage brands.
  • Sales Tools: CRM systems, sales automation software, and promotional product suppliers.
  • PR & Media Relations: Agencies specializing in promoting craft beverage brands.
• Business Services & Compliance:
  • Legal & Regulatory: Attorneys specializing in alcohol law, licensing, and compliance.
  • Financial Services: Lending, accounting, and insurance for craft beverage businesses.
  • Consulting: Business development, operational efficiency, and market entry consulting.
  • POS Systems: Point-of-sale systems tailored for tasting rooms and retail sales.
  • Talent Acquisition: Recruitment services for the craft beverage industry.
• Tasting & Tap Room Solutions (Co-located focus):
  • Merchandising, design, customer experience, and operational tools for on-premise sales.

This comprehensive array ensures that producers can find solutions for every stage of their business, from initial concept and production to distribution, sales, and ongoing operational management.

The Fermented Forum: Visitor and Exhibitor Count

The Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference attracts a highly targeted and engaged audience, reflecting its specific focus on independent producers and their business needs.

• Visitor Count: While exact official attendee numbers for the upcoming 2025 event are still developing, the CBExpo consistently draws thousands of highly qualified attendees. Based on past editions, the event brings together a significant cross-section of the independent beverage community, including:
  • Brewery Owners & Operators: From microbreweries, brewpubs, and regional craft breweries.
  • Distillery Owners & Operators: From craft distilleries producing spirits like whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum.
  • Winery Owners & Winemakers: From small to mid-sized wineries.
  • Cidery & Meadery Owners: Producers of hard cider and mead.
  • Kombucha & Non-Alcoholic Craft Beverage Producers: Innovators in the rapidly growing non-alcoholic segment.
  • Tasting Room Managers: Individuals responsible for the direct-to-consumer experience.
  • Aspiring Producers: Entrepreneurs looking to start their own craft beverage businesses.
  • Industry Consultants, Marketers, and Legal Professionals: Supporting the growth of craft brands. The focus on independent producers ensures that attendees are active decision-makers with specific needs and purchasing power.
• Exhibitor Count: The expo hall is designed to provide comprehensive solutions for craft beverage businesses. While official numbers for 2025 are still being finalized, past events have featured hundreds of exhibiting companies. These exhibitors represent a diverse range of categories, including:
  • Equipment manufacturers (brewing, distilling, bottling, canning).
  • Raw material suppliers (hops, malt, yeast, botanicals).
  • Packaging solution providers (labels, bottles, cans, sustainable options).
  • Distribution and logistics companies.
  • Marketing, branding, and PR agencies.
  • Legal and compliance experts.
  • Technology providers (POS systems, e-commerce platforms).
  • Financial and insurance services. The curated selection of exhibitors ensures that producers can efficiently find the specific resources they need to scale their operations and overcome challenges.

Raise a Glass to Success: Perks of Attending

Attending the Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference offers a multitude of benefits tailored specifically for independent producers and the businesses that serve them:

• Targeted Education & Insights: Access an unparalleled conference program with expert-led sessions on crucial business topics. Learn about distribution strategies, direct-to-consumer sales, marketing and branding, legal compliance, supply chain optimization, and the latest production techniques from industry leaders.
• Comprehensive Solutions Showcase: Explore an interactive expo hall filled with hundreds of exhibitors offering everything needed to produce, package, and distribute craft beverages. This “one-stop shop” allows for efficient sourcing of equipment, ingredients, packaging, and services.
• Unrivaled Networking: Connect directly with thousands of fellow independent craft beverage producers, fostering peer-to-peer learning, sharing best practices, and building valuable collaborative relationships. Also, meet key distributors, retailers, and service providers who can help expand your market reach. The “Pour for Your Peers” reception is a popular networking highlight.
• Focus on Distribution & Growth: The conference program heavily emphasizes distribution channels and strategies, providing actionable insights for producers looking to expand beyond their local markets.
• Direct Access to Experts: Engage in direct conversations with solution providers, industry consultants, and legal professionals. Get personalized advice and find answers to specific business challenges.
• New Product & Technology Discovery: Be among the first to see and learn about the newest equipment, innovative ingredients, sustainable packaging, and emerging technologies that can give your operation a competitive edge.
• Business Development Opportunities: Participate in dedicated buyer/supplier events designed for quick, focused meetings to facilitate new business partnerships.
• Market Trend Forecasting: Gain a deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences, market dynamics, and future trends in the craft beverage space, helping you to innovate and stay ahead of the curve.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Discover ways to optimize your production processes, improve efficiency, and secure better deals on supplies and services, ultimately impacting your bottom line.
• Community Building: Be part of a vibrant and supportive community dedicated to the growth and success of independent craft beverage businesses.

For any professional committed to thriving in the dynamic world of craft beverages, the CBExpo is not just an event; it’s a strategic imperative that offers tangible solutions, powerful connections, and the foresight needed to achieve sustained success and bring your craft to a wider audience.

Your Rest Stop: Nearby Hotels for the Craft Beverage Expo (Reno)

Since the Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference for 2025 is returning to the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, accommodation planning is quite straightforward, as the event is held within a comprehensive resort property.

• Grand Sierra Resort and Casino: This is typically the primary host venue for the CBExpo. Staying here offers the utmost convenience, as the convention center, expo hall, and most event activities (including educational sessions and networking events) are likely located within the resort complex. The Grand Sierra is a large resort with a wide array of amenities including:
  • Numerous dining options (restaurants, cafes, food court)
  • Entertainment (casino, live shows, cinema, bowling, golf, pools)
  • Spa and fitness facilities
  • Business services Staying on-site minimizes travel time and allows for maximum immersion in the Expo experience.
• Other Nearby Hotels: While the Grand Sierra Resort is comprehensive, Reno offers other hotel options for those who might prefer a different type of accommodation or have specific budget requirements. These would require a short taxi, ride-share, or potentially a hotel shuttle to get to the Grand Sierra Resort. Options within a reasonable driving distance might include:
  • Various chain hotels (e.g., Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Residence Inn) located near the airport or other parts of Reno.
  • Other casino resorts in the downtown Reno area, though these would be a short drive from the Grand Sierra.

General Booking Advice for the Craft Beverage Expo:

• Utilize the Official Housing Partner: The Craft Beverage Expo, like most major events, will partner with an official housing provider or offer direct booking links to the host hotel (Grand Sierra Resort) with special negotiated rates for attendees. It is highly recommended to book your accommodation through the official channels provided on the Craft Beverage Expo website. This ensures you receive any group discounts, your reservation is legitimate, and you are supported by the event’s housing block. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails from third-party hotel booking agencies, as these can often be fraudulent.
• Book Well in Advance: Given the popularity of the event and the convenience of staying at the host resort, rooms at the Grand Sierra Resort can book up quickly. Securing your accommodation as soon as registration opens or your attendance is confirmed is highly advisable to ensure availability and potentially better rates.
• Consider Airport Proximity: The Grand Sierra Resort is conveniently located very close to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), making arrivals and departures straightforward. Many hotels in Reno also offer airport shuttle services.

By planning your accommodation effectively, you can ensure a comfortable and efficient experience at the Craft Beverage Expo, allowing you to fully focus on the invaluable opportunities for product discovery, strategic business development, and essential networking that this critical event provides.

Ready to Ferment Your Future? Plan Your Visit!

The Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference is more than just an industry event; it’s the annual powerhouse that fuels innovation and growth for the entire independent craft beverage sector. It’s where the latest brewing techniques are explored, crucial distribution deals are forged, and the partnerships vital for a thriving market are strengthened. Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to connect, learn, and propel your craft beverage business forward in this exciting and rapidly evolving industry.

To learn more about the Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference, including specific dates, venue details, registration information, and to plan your essential visit, please go to the official website:

craftbeverageexpo.com