Beer Blogger Conference?

[The Beer Babe]

Another idea that has been thrown out there is that there is a wine bloggers conference, but no beer bloggers conference. Why? Probably because not a lot of beer bloggers think that there are many other beer bloggers out there. It doesn't have to be GABF big, but what do you think about having a beer blogger conference, workshop, meetup or weekend? ALL THOUGHTS ENCOURAGED. Thoughts born after a few pints are also welcome. Cheers!

[Dean Brundage]

Sounds like a fine idea. I know people with experience organizing conferences and I think we could really get this going.

There are a few formats we could follow, from scheduled speakers like TED to organic BarCamp-style gatherings. If we're going to get people to travel across the country we better have some sort of schedule to draw them there.

Venue: I know people at Russian River, Sam Adams, St. Arnold and a few other smaller breweries. It would be appropriate to have the conference at a brewery, no?

[Dan]

What would happen at a conference? To me, that implies panel discussions, maybe some poster sessions, etc. Would that apply to beer blogging?

It's all academic for me, though, since unless it was held in Buffalo (or WNY, I guess) I wouldn't be able to go. Though quick, let's hold a vote now and everyone vote for your city, since I think Ethan and I make a plurality.

[Two Beer Queers]

I think a beer blog event would be pretty awesome. We are in Hawaii, and we would try our darndest to make it out to where ever it is. I think half the battle is getting everyone on board for this conference. This is a good start.

russel kealoha

[Chipper Dave]

I'd be all in favor of a beer blogger conference. There's so much we all could be working on together. The location could be anywhere and should probably rotate around to make it easy on everyone. It might be worth considering hosting around a beer festival time and that way several bloggers may be in that area anyway at the time. Let's talk this up further.

[KC Hophead]

We already have a monthly standing brew day/meeting/beer swap in KC between about 6 or 7 beer bloggers and others. Worthog and I have been organizing these and trying to get brewers big and small there. I am not really suggesting KC as the spot, just letting you know what we're trying to unite already and maybe others will take this idea to their city.
-Braden

[Chipper Dave]

KC - that's great that your area has already taken some steps to work on this. I know of a few other areas that do the same. The bloggers in Colorado haven't organized but we all tend to keep in touch quite a bit. This might take your idea of a local blogger group and expand upon it. I'm all for regional, national and possibly even a worldwide conference.

[The Beer Babe]

I really like that idea. Maybe we can have regional ambassadors that organize meetups in their areas first, then we can plan a big "for everyone" meetup. I know there are already a LOT of geographic areas represented on here!

Chipper Dave said:

KC - that's great that your area has already taken some steps to work on this. I know of a few other areas that do the same. The bloggers in Colorado haven't organized but we all tend to keep in touch quite a bit. This might take your idea of a local blogger group and expand upon it. I'm all for regional, national and possibly even a worldwide conference.

[the beer wench]

Hey all! Those of you who follow me on Twitter (@TheBeerWench) probably got wind of my trip to the Wine Bloggers Conference at some point this weekend. Wine is very different from beer in the fact that it is extremely REGIONAL, whereas beer can be made anywhere and everywhere.

Getting a whole bunch of winemakers and wine industry folks from Napa & Sonoma -- IN Napa & Sonoma -- is considerably easier than trying to organize something with wineries across the nation. As a result, we were able to tour many wineries and vineyards.

HOWEVER, this does not mean that the beer bloggers can not replicate the idea -- it will just have to be executed differently.

My suggestion is to BEGIN with the GABF. Since the GABF is already the largest organized event for beer in the United States, the exposure is huge -- for both bloggers to brewers and brewers to bloggers. I would suggest talking to GABF about getting bloggers a "special blogging rate" -- and perhaps their own type of media pass. Also, there should be a separate area roped off for bloggers to mingle, twitter, blog ... what have you. And then, I suggest having a few "social media & the beer industry" type "seminars" -- maybe a breakfast regarding beer & blogging, a lunch about video blogging etc... This could be a great way to expose breweries to social media and illustrate its importance in the beer industry. I suggest bringing in some keynote speakers -- like Sam from Dogfish Head, whose brand is doing particularly well with social media. And of course there must be after-parties ...

I'd be more than happy to help organize something bigger like the WBC, but I think at first it would be easier to "latch" on to existing events until we create enough of a buzz.

The Wench

[topfermented]

Also in favor for a beer blogger conference.

GABF strikes me as a place to get lost in all the noise, but the idea is right on. Attach to a larger gathering and move on from there as it gains traction.

[Amy @ HereForTheBeer]

All for it! We could certainly do something small or regional at our Inn in Vermont. But we are also always up for traveling - would be fun to connect with fellow beer bloggers.

[Chipper Dave]

One thing about using the GABF, it's getting much bigger this year. Denver came up with DENVER BEER FEST which will run from September 18 thru the 27th. It will include over 60 different events including the GABF, Denver Oktoberfest, Denver Rare Beer Tasting, beer dinners, and much more. If you thought the 3 days of GABF were busy - well it's only going to get even busier. So now we'd have 10 days from which to choose from for a possible bloggers conference. Not saying it wouldn't be feasible but it's going to be an already busy time.

I'd also put in a nod that where ever the beer blogger conference would be hosted that there must be at least a few good breweries in the area and/or some great beer bars too. Several cities come to mind but lets not just limit it to one place.

[Phil_L]

I like this idea, that a conference should be somewhat included in an already operating event. Many reasons spring to mind, that there is common ground, rather than just a few bars that could get pretty hammered, a major event gives something for everyone to write about, rather than the same night in the same room/bar/hall.

I would propose a couple of smaller events first, like do one over the SF Beer Week, then one on Philly Beer Week, then NY Beer week, to see what sort of numbers come thru, then run from there, toward a US one, perhaps a Euro one, then a global one. Rather than all into an attempt at a large one, first off.

And, thanks for starting this forum and tool! great work!

Chipper Dave said:

One thing about using the GABF, it's getting much bigger this year. Denver came up with DENVER BEER FEST which will run from September 18 thru the 27th. It will include over 60 different events including the GABF, Denver Oktoberfest, Denver Rare Beer Tasting, beer dinners, and much more. If you thought the 3 days of GABF were busy - well it's only going to get even busier. So now we'd have 10 days from which to choose from for a possible bloggers conference. Not saying it wouldn't be feasible but it's going to be an already busy time.

I'd also put in a nod that where ever the beer blogger conference would be hosted that there must be at least a few good breweries in the area and/or some great beer bars too. Several cities come to mind but lets not just limit it to one place.