ACSA CONVENTION

Developed for the community of craft spirits producers, the ACSA Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show brings together distillers and suppliers to harness the energy of the industry. In the past years, ACSA has educated 1000s to strengthen the safety and prosperity of the trade and has provided a platform to network and explore products and services from our suppliers. See what convention is upcoming and take a peek at what you might have missed.

You won’t want to miss ACSA’s 11th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show this February in Denver, Colorado. This year’s theme, MOVING MOUNTAINS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED, is all about reaching new heights by working together to secure a bright future for craft spirits. 

This is the place where producers and the top industry suppliers connect to find solutions to specific business issues and complex challenges within the craft spirits community. Learn from the industry’s best and brightest, who will share their wisdom. From distillers, owners, marketing teams, front of the house, bottlers, brand managers, and sales teams, to equipment and ingredient purveyors, label designers, packaging experts, insurance and compliance experts, to educators and learners, among others…there’s something for anyone who is invested in craft spirits. 

Dates & Location

February 26 – 28, 2024
(Pre-Convention Events: February 25, 2024)
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th St, Denver, Colorado 80202

Attendee Registration

Please note that online registration is closed, but on-site registration will be available.

** Must be 21 to attend ** 

On-site Member Rates:

 Full Convention Pass: $695 Regular
 Distillery 101 Course $499
 Distillery Tours $129

On-site Non-Member Rates:

Full Convention Pass: $995 Regular
Distillery 101 Course $899
Distillery Tours $169

Hotel

Host Hotel:  The Hyatt Regency Hotel Block has added more rooms – ACSA’s unique Hyatt reservation link

We do have a few nearby overflow blocks available at a discounted rate-  Embassy Suites Denver Downtown – ACSA Overflow

The Slate Denver, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Other nearby Hotels (we do not have a block at) –

Le Méridien Denver Downtown

Program At A Glance

** Subject to Change **

 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Distillery Tours *** SOLD OUT ***
For waiting list please email – stephanie@americancraftspirits.org

Central Downtown Denver Tour – Leopold Bros, The Family Jones Spirit House, Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, Laws Whiskey House, Bear Creek Distillery

North Denver Tour – Leopold Bros, The Family Jones Distillery, Root Shoot Malting, Boulder Spirits, Talnua Distillery, Copper Sky Distillery

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Distillery 101*

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
STEPUP Graduation (Invitation Only)

 Monday, February 26, 2024

8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Distillery 101*

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Meet the Board Candidates

9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Exhibit Hall

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
TTB Bootcamp

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
First Time Attendees

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Happy Hour Exhibit Hall

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
PAC Reception

8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Opening Reception

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

9:30 AM – 12:20 PM
Educational Sessions

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Exhibit Hall

12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Awards Luncheon

2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Exhibit Hall

3:00 PM – 4:50 PM
Educational Sessions

8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Hospitality Suite/Spirits Tasting

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

10:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Educational Sessions

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Keynote Speaker/Town Hall

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Closing Party

Educational Sessions

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

9:30 AM – 10:20 AM

Bacteria is Coming! – Building a Process to Support Yeast Health and Avoid Contamination (Haley Churchill, Lallemand)

It’s Not The 1950s Anymore: Working with State Regulators in a Modern Alcohol Market (Ernest Legier, Commissioner of Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control; Teri Quimby, former state legislator for Michigan; Mark Shilling, Big Thirst; Clark Smith, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; Michelle Stone-Principato, Colorado Department of Revenue – Liquor Enforcement Division )

Stuck in the Bubble: Why we fail to communicate (Robin Robinson)

10:30 AM – 11:20 AM

Dusting Off the Dangers- Navigating the Explosive Risk of Combustible Dust (Austin Yurt, Industrial Safety and Training Services, Inc.)

Top Premiumization Trends Driving Crafts Spirits Packaging Innovations (Austin Dunbar, Durham Studio; Tonya Edwards, Saverglass; Hannah Lowen, New Riff Distilling)

Booze on the Brain: Mental Healthcare and the Distilling Industry (Sydney Jones, FEW Spirits; Matt Vogl, VXVY Mental Health

11:30 AM – 12:20 PM

How Craft Spirit Trends Are Driving Investments (Jason Barrett, Black Button Distilling; Ryan Lake, Arlington Capital Advisors; Kevin O’Brien, Zepponi; Emmett Strack, Park Street)

Sourcing Locally: Perspectives from the Farm (Sarah Jones, Jones Farms Organics; Todd Olander, Root Shoot Malting; Gabe Toth, The Family Jones Distillery)

Worried About Your Package? – Brian Christensen (Artisan Spirit Magazine), Tonya Edwards (Saverglass), Katie Harrington (Blue Label), David Schuemann (CF Napa Brand Design), Adam Spiegel (Corning and Company), Jonathan Tharp (Talis)

3:00 PM – 3:50 PM

Grow Your Own Way: Propagation and Management Strategies Beyond Dried Yeast (Jace Marti, Black Frost Distilling)

TTB 101: Federal Reporting Basics to Reduce Audit Risks (Caroline Calhoun, FIVE x 5)

Trends in the Ready to Drink (RTD) Segment for Craft Distillers (Jason Barrett, Black Button Distilling)

4:00 PM – 4:50 PM

Origins of Flavor and Professional-Level Sensory Evaluations of Mezcal and Tequila (Gary Spedding, BDAS LLC)

Automating Your Craft Distillery Doesn’t Mean Giving Away Your Craftiness (Alan Green, Haskell)

How DtC Shipping Works for Wineries—and Can for Distillers, Too! (Alex Koral, Sovos ShipCompliant; Ryan Malkin, Malkin Law; Michael Walker, The Walker Group, LLC)

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

10:00 AM – 10:50 AM

3 Light Bulb Moments: SEO Growth Hacks Hiding in Plain Sight (Jon & Bianca Gorman, Spirits Marketing)

Malting Corn for Spirit Production (Todd Leopold and Danny Bechthold, Leopold Bros.)

AI Considerations for your Distillery (Erlinda A. Doherty, Vinicola)

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM

Good Communication When Bad Things Happen: A Crash Course in Crisis Comms (Alexandra S. Clough, Gather PR)

Distillery Valuations Part 3: From Beginning to End (Kris Bohm, Distillery Now Consulting; Donald Snyder, Time and Tasks)

Maturity of Craft Distilling’s Safety Culture (Colleen Moore, University of British Columbia)

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM

Legal Tips for Compliant Brand Advertising & Marketing (Anne Junia, Powell Junia P.C.)

Talking to Spirits: Consistency in Sensory and Establishing True-to-Target Guidelines for Core SKUs (Mark A. Vierthaler, Whiskey Del Bac)

Launching your brand in Control State Markets (Ashley Glickman, Westward Whiskey; David Jackson, National Alcohol Beverage Control Association)

3:00 PM – 3:50 PM

From Distillation to Devotion: Building a Thriving Distillery Community in 2024 (Jonathan Yaffe, AnyRoad)

Getting the Most Out of Grain – Process Considerations for Maximizing Flavor from Distinctive Ingredients in Grain-Based Spirits (Nicole Shriner, Michigan State University)

Control the Chaos: How to Use Project Management at Any Distillery (Ana Hinz, Westland Distillery)

4:00 PM – 4:50 PM

Spilling the Tea, What the Service Industry Wants Sales and Production to Know (Caitlin Bartlemay, Clear Creek Distillery; Joanna Kitchen, Rob Roy, Seattle; Jake Powell, Death & Co. Denver; Noah Price, Proof Wine and Spirits; Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver)

Global Malt Report and North America v European Malt Barley (Geoff Fischer, The Country Malt Group)

Distilled Spirit Specialty Panel: “Let’s Get Weird” (Reade Huddleston, CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective; Sydney Jones, FEW Spirits;  Ken Klehm, 450 North Spirits)

*Separate ticketed event

Exhibitor Information

Exhibitor Move-In

Sunday, February 25 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday, February 26 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Exhibit Hours

Monday, February 26 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday, February 27 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Exhibitor Move-Out

Tuesday, February 27 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday, February 28 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Deadlines and Booth Equipment
We are again partnering with Heritage as our General Contractor. Each 10’x10’ booth will be set with 8’ high black back drape, 3’ high black side dividers, one (1) 6’ black skirted table, two (2) chairs, one (1) wastebasket and a 11” x 17” one-line identification sign.

Discount Price Deadline Date
February 7: In order to receive advance order discount rates listed on the price sheet, we must receive your order and payment by this date.

Shipping Your Freight
January 29: Heritage will begin receiving freight at the advanced warehouse.

February 19: All shipments must arrive at the advanced warehouse by this date in order to avoid late fees.

Shipments will be received Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Who’s Exhibiting?

 

Thank You, Sponsors!

The ACSA is honored to have so many fabulous companies supporting the craft spirits industry. A sincere thank you goes out to these early commitments that will help us put on an incredible convention. Expect to hear more from these generous sponsors!

See our Sponsorship Brochure for remaining opportunities, or contact Stephanie Sadri at stephanie@americancraftspirits.org for more information. 

Berlin Packaging: Central Denver Distillery Tour

Strategic Sourcing Hub: Convention App

Briess: Spirits Tasting Hospitality Suite

The Digest of Wine & Spirits Law: Daypacks

Distillery 101 Course: Lallemand

Exhibit Hall Coffee: Blue & Co., Kraftwork, Crafted ERP

Mobile Charging Unit: Niagra

Registration Swag Items: Apholos, Big Thirst, Country Malt Group, CFNAPA

 

 

 

And thank you to the Colorado Distillers Guild, our 2024 convention partner.


Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about your registration, please contact us at membership@americancraftspirits.org

PAST ACSA CONVENTIONS

2023 Convention

10th Anniversary Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show
Oregon Convention Center
February 10-12, 2023

2022 Convention

Craft in the Quarter
New Orleans, LA
July 21-24, 2022

2021 Convention

Legacy + Grit
Louisville, KY
December 4–6, 2021

2020 Summit

Craft Spirits Virtual Summit: A New Journey
August 11-12, 2020
Summit Education

2019 Convention

Distillers’ Convention & Vendor Trade Show
February 10-12, 2019
The Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, MN

Convention Education

2018 Convention

Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show
March 5–6, 2018
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Convention Education

2017 Convention

Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show
February 16–17, 2017
Renaissance Nashville Hotel, Nashville TN

Convention Education

2016 Convention

Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show
February 29–March 2, 2016
Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Chicago, IL

Convention Education

2015 Convention

Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show
February 14–16, 2015
Austin, TX

2014 Convention

Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show
March 14, 2014
Denver, CO

©2024 American Craft Spirits Association; All Rights Reserved. Member Owned, Industry Driven.

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?