VisitPITTSBURGH, Craft Beverage Expo and Distribution Conference Launch CBX 2023 - a Weeklong Festival Celebrating the Craft Beverage Industry
Partnership with VisitPITTSBURGH Leads Expo to Relocate from Louisville and Expand Conference into a Destination Event
PITTSBURGH - VisitPITTSBURGH and the Craft Beverage Expo and Distribution Conference have teamed up to produce CBX, a weeklong festival of events celebrating craft beverage, March 29-April 2, 2023.
Previously held in Louisville, the Craft Beverage Expo and Distribution Conference chose to relocate the event after partnering with VisitPITTSBURGH to launch CBX as an annual community-wide festival, with programming taking place across Allegheny County.
VisitPITTSBURGH has set a goal of attracting 5,000 out-of-town visitors for the festival’s inaugural year, with plans for growth in future years.
“Our region’s craft beverage scene continues to build in scope, quality and reputation, making Pittsburgh the perfect place to establish a signature destination event centered around an industry that is increasing in popularity every year,” says VisitPITTSBURGH President & CEO Jerad Bachar. “We are delighted to partner with the Craft Beverage Expo team and local businesses to grow CBX into an annual tourism event that will become a major economic generator for our community.”
Bachar adds, “CBX was intentionally scheduled to take place in late March/early April to attract visitors to the region during a time of year that is typically quiet for leisure travel to Pittsburgh. Restaurants, hotels, attractions and businesses will benefit from increased traffic and spending, as well as marketing exposure for those participating in special promotions and programming taking place during CBX.”
CBX events will encompass all aspects of the craft beverage industry, from production and manufacture to bottling and branding, and including beer, wine, spirits, cider, sake, mead and more. The lineup includes:
Craft Beverage Expo and Distribution Conference | March 29-31
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
This industry tradeshow will feature scores of exhibitors, industry experts and conference sessions, and include The Women in Craft Forum on March 29, which focuses on topics unique to women in the craft beverage industry.
CBX Experience | March 31
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
This consumer tasting event will feature small batch craft beverage vendors from across Allegheny County who will showcase their products to industry partners and the public. Attendees also will have an opportunity to taste local bites with an expanded ticket option. Tickets on sale now at VisitPITTSBURGH.com.
CBX Excellence | March 31-April 2
Locals and visitors will enjoy craft beverage events, discounts and special promotions hosted by Allegheny County businesses, including hotels, restaurants, bars, distilleries and attractions. Businesses wishing to participate in CBX Excellence are asked to submit their programming details now at VisitPITTSBURGH.com. A complete list of offerings, promotions, specials and more will be available in the coming weeks.
Complete details about CBX are available at VisitPITTSBURGH.com.
“We are thrilled to bring our conference to Pittsburgh and collaborate with VisitPITTSBURGH to launch CBX,” says Kellie Shevlin, Executive Director, Craft Beverage Expo and Distribution Conference. “CBX will showcase the masters of this wonderful craft, from some of the best-known brands, to the emerging stars of tomorrow, in a city where craft beverages and innovation go hand in hand.”
VisitPITTSBURGH will promote CBX through a targeted marketing and paid advertising campaign, digital promotions, media outreach and collaborations with local businesses and attractions. In advance of the event, VisitPITTSBURGH’s communications team also will host a preview press tour for journalists who will help amplify Allegheny County’s craft beverage story.
About the Craft Beverage Expo (CBE) and Distribution Conference: CBE is the leading trade exposition and conference for the entire craft beverage industry, with the primary goal of bringing various vertical beverage markets together to exchange ideas and foster a community of collaboration based on common goals. Whether it is beer, wine, spirits, mead or cider, Craft Beverage Expo and Distribution Conference focuses on small-batch beverages and the issues that producers face, from finding the right technology and equipment for their operations to getting their beverages onto stores’ shelves. For more information, visit craftbeverageexpo.com
About Women in Craft Forum: CBE’s Women in Craft Forum focuses on topics unique to women in the craft beverage industry. Whether you are in wine, beer, spirits, cider, mead or non-alcoholic beverages, this forum will set you up for success with tailored insight and strategies to push you to the next level in your career. For more information, visit craftbeverageexpo.com/women-in-craft.