The year of change that is 2020 is continuing its form for setting new boundaries, as the Australian Distillers Association takes its annual conference into a virtual format for the first time in its history.
This year’s conference – The Spirit of Togetherness – will take place over Zoom on Monday, 16 November, and provides attendees with a much needed opportunity to connect, plan and overcome the obstacles facing the Australian distilling industry.
While dealing with continued restrictions on travel and social gatherings, the conference will provide an accessible platform for members and non-members to express their ideas and contribute to the evolution of the Association and the wider industry in the current global climate.
The ADA said: “There is still an overwhelming under representation of Australian craft in the local spirits market. Combined, Australian distillers represent less than one per cent of the total spirit market.
“The local spirits industry still has a long way to progress in order to compete with global brands. To achieve this local and eventually global recognition, The ADA recognises and continues to nurture the union of Australian distillers through the promotion of events such as the annual conference.
“The opportunity to network and deliberate with key players in the local industry will only strengthen the Australian distilling community.”
This year’s agenda has now been finalised and will include:
- Angus McPherson (Diageo Australia MD) on the world of spirits and Australia’s place within it
- Industry debates
- How to do business in a post-Covid world
- The impact of Covid on the Australian market: IWSR view on recovery
- Technical session on safety
- Responsible marketing and packaging (ABAC)
The conference will be co-hosted by Four Pillars Co-Founder and ADA President Stu Gregor and myself, with proceedings kicking-off with online registrations at 9am and sessions starting at 10am. There will also be virtual drinks taking place after the conference at 5pm.
Gregor said: “We’ll have some super interesting and very worthwhile presentations from industry and associated folks. A deep dive into the market in Australia for spirits from the global authority, the International Wine and Spirits Report, a presentation from ABAC about what you can and can’t say when you’re advertising on social media, a look at what the big boys are up to from the boss of Diageo Australia and a session about the all-important distillery safety regimes we all need.
“It’s been a tough year and this gives us a real opportunity to connect, learn and maybe even have a little fun.”
Questions are encouraged throughout the day, so if you want to put anything to Australia’s premier spirits producers about the issues you are facing in your bars, this is the ideal opportunity, with hundreds of ADA members in attendance.
Tickets are $50 for ADA members and $300 for non-members, which includes annual Associate membership of the ADA, and you can register your attendance here.
