After a year away, VIBE Conference returns to California, to bring on-premise beverage decision makers together to learn, network and toast to a new era for the industry. The three-day event features impactful conference sessions on timely topics, and networking breaks to make powerful connections and expedite business decisions.
There’s a lot to look forward to this year: Charlotte Voisey, Global Head of Brand Ambassador Advocacy for William Grant & Sons, will be joining us as Emcee, CORE returns with their much-anticipated silent auction, and of course, our incredible sponsors – like American Beverage Marketers, Anheuser-Busch, Beam Suntory, Boston Beer Co., Campari Group, E&J Gallo Winery, Red Bull, and Sazerac just to name a few- will be at the conference supporting the industry as only they can. Research firms like Datassential, IWSR, Nielsen, NPD and Technomic are also onsite, presenting groundbreaking beverage-data you can’t find anywhere else.
If you want to learn side-by-side with some of the most influential buyers in the country, then VIBE Conference is where you need to be this September, 2021. Register for your space now, Early Bird pricing runs through August 2, 2021.
Monday, September 27
Welcome Happy Hour
Arrive in beautiful Carlsbad, California on Monday September 27th . After you get settled in your apartment, join us at Valley Promenade for a poolside Welcome Happy Hour from 7-9pm, presented by our sponsors. This is a relaxed opportunity to reconnect with old friends after a long year apart, and begin networking with other influential buyers from companies like Applebee’s, Brinker, Darden, Delta, Landry's and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Tuesday, September 28
Registration
Registration for the conference kicks off at 7:30am in the Costa Del Sol foyer. Stop by before breakfast to sign up for lunch and reserve your place at the coveted round table discussions. Round table topics will be confirmed in the coming week, but you can expect at least six expert speakers to facilitate intimate industry discussions over a delicious meal.
CORE Silent Auction
The CORE Silent Auction has become a highlight of the VIBE Conference program. Over the last eight years, we’ve raised over $350,000 through the CORE Silent Auction. Auction items haven’t been announced yet, but expect an autographed item from Tiger Woods and large-format wines.
RELATED: Meet CORE: The Charity Protecting Restaurant Industry Families
Conference Sessions
Once you’ve had breakfast on the terrace, the first conference day begins! Our impactful sessions run from 9:15am – 5:30pm, with breaks to recharge and network with other attendees. IWSR-global kicks off the program with their session: ‘The Road to Recovery: 5 Factors for Future Growth in Beverage Alcohol’. They’ll discuss changes in consumer behavior, critical advice for on-premise recovery, e-commerce and the rise of RTDs. We end the day with David Portalatin, Senior Vice President and Industry Advisor for The NPD Group. His session, aptly titled ‘The Return to Experience,’ examines the latest data on consumer spending to help business leaders shape their strategies for the year ahead.
Beverages for a Benefit of Hope CORE Fundraising Event
After a full day of conference programming, join us in the Luna Ballroom for an evening of drinks, benefiting our charity partner, CORE. Those who have joined us in the past will remember two cocktail parties. This year, for the first time ever, we’re combining both events into one fabulous fundraiser for CORE, featuring cocktails from our sponsors. Take time to explore all of the bars set up around the ballroom, and find your new favorite drink, while raising money for a great cause.
Wednesday, September 29
Conference Sessions
Join us for one last morning of conference sessions, starting with Colleen McClellan from Datassential, discussing innovation and trends in the industry. Wednesday’s sessions also include a panel on the permanent impacts of COVID-19 on beverage operations, a glimpse inside the growing cannabis market and how savvy beverage distributors and suppliers can navigate the emerging space.
Vibe Awards
Due to the unprecedented state of the industry, the VIBE Operator awards are being postponed this year, but we look forward to recognizing top performers in the industry at next year’s conference. But we will still be recognizing outstanding members of the industry with the VIBE Supplier Awards, and our two individual award categories, the Innovator Award and the Legend Award. This year, we are excited to announce that the Legend Award will be renamed the Jim Flaherty Legend Award to recognize a dear member of the community, and one of the original founders of National Accounts, who passed away this year.
Check out our full sponsor list here and don’t forget to grab your ticket during our Early Bird registration period – available now through August 2nd. Register here, and be part of the industry’s recovery and future, only at VIBE Conference.
Keep checking barandrestaurant.com and vibeconference.com for show updates and all the latest news. Don't miss a moment of VIBE Conference, sign up for the exlusive newsletter today. We look forward to welcoming you to VIBE Conference 2021 this September 27 – 29th at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. Early Bird Registration is open now through August 2, 2021, register here.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Donna Bruns at [email protected], Charlie Forman at [email protected].
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