Crafting collaborations and connections

Hey craft brewers! Register today for the Ontario Craft Brewers Conference & Suppliers Marketplace (OCBC23) in Niagara Falls, October 25-26, 2023.

“This is THE INDUSTRY BUILDING EVENT of the year for Canada’s craft brewers, says Scott Simmons, President, Ontario Craft Brewers. “This is where brewers come to connect, collaborate, and evolve their businesses. OCBC provides opportunities to build new partnerships, strengthen existing ones and solidify the amazing community that defines Ontario’s craft beer industry.”

Here’s what’s happening at OCBC23:

LOADS OF LEARNING: “We are super excited about this year’s agenda,” says OCBC education chair Troy Burtch of Great Lakes Brewing. OCBC keynotes are top tier, featuring: Trillium Brewing’s Esther & JC Tetrault; chief economist Bart Watson from the Brewers Association; and, Pete Bombaci from the GenWell Project. On technical, we HEARD YOU and our beefed-up brewing/technical program transcends all other years. The education streams of Sales/Marketing/Digital/Business Ops hit all the critical issues, covering quality programs, yeast, hops, low-alc beers, CIP best practices, process controls in the brewhouse, diversity in craft brewing, chatGPT, cause marketing, intellectual property, government relations, taproom, LCBO, AGCO, TBS, brewery roundtables and MORE. “There’s more than enough content for every member of the brewery and staff at any level.”

AMAZING TRADE SHOW: “The OCBC Suppliers Marketplace has grown into a marketing and networking powerhouse,” says Paul Corriveau of Railway City Brewing and OCBC23 co-chair. With 120+ exhibitors from around the globe offering special deals, large-scale equipment displays such as tanks and packaging lines, contests, and giveaways, and, most importantly, face-to-face connection. The demo stage features suppliers and entertainment, bringing you the latest and greatest in the craft beer industry.

CHEERS TO THE BEER: Everyone loves OCBC for its famous OCB sampling bars, stocked with fresh, cold OCB craft beer. It’s the best opportunity to taste the widest range of OCB products available. Attendees will also be able to sample tasty offerings from the booths of several of OCBC’s exhibitors and special collabs offered during sessions.

SUPER SOCIALS: Bench Brewing Co. will open the doors of its “Fieldstone at Bench” experiential event space for a kickoff tasting event featuring Niagara-area products and live music (Oct. 24). The Canadian Craft Brewers Association will host the Canada Beer Cup Awards Ceremony on site at OCBC23 (Oct. 25). And to close out the annual conference, OCBC hosts an official “taproom” themed after party featuring comedy, live music and of course, CRAFT BEER (Oct. 26)! “These events offer some of the best opportunities to ‘collaborate and connect’ with craft brewers across the country,” says Simmons.

GOOD LOCATION, GREAT VENUE: Niagara Falls Convention Centre is just steps from North America’s most famous waterfall, driving distance from major Canadian and U.S. cities and airports, walking distance to hotels and easy access to wine AND BEER country.

THANK YOU OCBC23 SPONSORS: Without the generous support of these companies, OCB couldn’t bring you such an awesome event. High fives to: Last Call/OrderEase, EZFocus, Vessel, MNP, Kinsbrae Packaging, Carefoote Beverage Solutions, TNG, LRI, Brew Culture, Jenrey, Niagara Economic Development, Prospero & The Growler.