Philadelphia to Host 2026 Craft Brewers Conference® and BrewExpo America®

Registration is open for America’s premier beverage alcohol industry conference

Boulder, Colo. • December 2, 2025 — The Craft Brewers Conference®(CBC) & BrewExpo America® will take over the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, April 20-22, 2026. The Brewers Association (BA) announced today that registration is open, and industry members are encouraged to secure their attendance at America’s largest gathering for beverage alcohol producers.

Pennsylvania is home to 533 breweries, making it the third largest beer-producing state in the country, behind California and New York. According to the 2024 Brewers Association data, craft beer contributes $72.5 billion in economic impact in the United States, and Pennsylvania plays a significant role in the national success of craft beer, producing the second-highest volume in the U.S. at more than 2.6 million barrels annually. It also ranks second in overall economic impact, contributing $5.2 billion to the national economy.With a refreshed schedule in 2026, CBC will deliver a more streamlined program that better matches the needs of today’s beverage professionals while fostering a more structured conference experience. This year’s conference kicks off with the highly anticipated keynote address by Will Guidara, co-founder of Make It Nice and bestselling author of “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect,” leaving attendees with lasting insights from a globally respected figure in hospitality. The opening day continues with a BrewExpo America preview and closes with the Welcome Reception featuring local entertainment, Pennsylvania breweries, and signature Philly dishes.

The BrewExpo America trade show on Tuesday and Wednesday will feature curated educational sessions and sponsor activations, marking a more personalized approach to professional development that lets every attendee follow content aligned with their specific challenges and goals. The renewed format maintains producer engagement and networking opportunities throughout the event, alongside reducing travel time and costs for attendees.

Presenting the State of the Industry address is market expert and BA President and CEO, Bart Watson, reflecting on the challenges, wins, and future of the beverage alcohol industry. Immediately following Watson's industry keynote, the renowned World Beer Cup® Awards Ceremony commences at 5:30 pm local time, celebrating brewing excellence on a global stage and closing out the CBC 2026 gathering.

Registration opens today, December 2, 2025, with early bird discounts available until February 6. Industry professionals are encouraged to register at CraftBrewersConference.com. One badge provides attendees entry to all conference programming, the trade show floor, networking functions, sponsor activations, and special events.

Media interested in attending and covering the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America and World Beer Cup at the Pennsylvania Convention Center must apply for media credentials here. Please direct any questions related to the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America and World Beer Cup to brewerspr@backbone.media.

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About the Craft Brewers Conference® and BrewExpo America®

The Craft Brewers Conference^™ & BrewExpo America^®, hosted by the Brewers Association (BA), is the nation’s premier gathering for beverage alcohol professionals and the largest beverage alcohol conference and trade show in the U.S. The Craft Brewers Conference features exceptional educational seminars and keynote addresses critical to running a successful business. BrewExpo America hosts hundreds of exhibitors displaying the latest and greatest product innovations, supplies, and services. The World Beer Cup^® awards ceremony, for the most prestigious professional beer and cider competition in the world, is held annually in conjunction with the Craft Brewers Conference.

About the World Beer Cup®

Known as “the Olympics of beer,” the World Beer Cup^® is the most prestigious beer competition in the world, held annually by the Brewers Association (BA) in conjunction with the Craft Brewers Conference^™ & BrewExpo America^®. Hundreds of judges from across the world assess entries by category, and award beers and ciders on how accurately they exemplify the specified style, and how they display the proper balance of taste, aroma and appearance. Developed in 1996 to celebrate the art and science of brewing, this global competition continues to raise greater consumer awareness about various beer styles and flavor profiles, while promoting international brewing excellence. 

About the Brewers Association

The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 9,300 small and independent American brewers, their beverages, and the community of craft beer enthusiasts. The BA champions the independent craft brewer seal—a trusted symbol that helps consumers identify beer brewed by small and independent producers.

The BA organizes some of the industry’s most influential events, including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference™ & BrewExpo America®, and American Craft Beer Week®. It also publishes The New Brewer® and through Brewers Publications®, is the country’s leading publisher of brewing literature. Beer lovers can explore the world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and follow the BA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  

Media interested in attending and covering the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America and World Beer Cup at the Pennsylvania Convention Center can now apply for media credentials here.

Contact: jessie.vandenhouten@backbone.media

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