The Brewers Association (BA) recently announced that registration is now open for the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia on April 20-22. Yesterday, the BA announced that hospitality entrepreneur and bestselling author Will Guidara will deliver the keynote address. You will find more details about the conference in the press release below.
About Will Guidara
Guidara is the co-founder of Make It Nice and the former co-owner of the world-renowned Eleven Madison Park. He is also the author of the best-selling book Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect. His philosophy—rooted in empowering teams, creating unforgettable guest experiences, and leading with purpose—has reshaped the way industries think about service and culture.
“Will Guidara’s message transcends hospitality—it’s about leadership, creativity, and building meaningful connections,” said Ann Obenchain, vice president of marketing and communications at the Brewers Association. “In a time when breweries are navigating evolving consumer expectations, Will’s insights on service and generosity are especially relevant. His keynote will set an inspiring tone for CBC 2026.”
Press release:
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Philadelphia to Host 2026 Craft Brewers Conference® and BrewExpo America®
Registration is open for America’s premier beverage alcohol industry conference
Boulder, Colo. • December 2, 2025 — The Craft Brewers Conference®(CBC) & BrewExpo America® will take over the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, April 20-22, 2026. The Brewers Association (BA) announced today that registration is open, and industry members are encouraged to secure their attendance at America’s largest gathering for beverage alcohol producers.
Pennsylvania is home to 533 breweries, making it the third largest beer-producing state in the country, behind California and New York. According to the 2024 Brewers Association data, craft beer contributes $72.5 billion in economic impact in the United States, and Pennsylvania plays a significant role in the national success of craft beer, producing the second-highest volume in the U.S. at more than 2.6 million barrels annually. It also ranks second in overall economic impact, contributing $5.2 billion to the national economy.
With a refreshed schedule in 2026, CBC will deliver a more streamlined program that better matches the needs of today’s beverage professionals while fostering a more structured conference experience. This year’s conference kicks off with the highly anticipated keynote address by Will Guidara, co-founder of Make It Nice and bestselling author of “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect,” leaving attendees with lasting insights from a globally respected figure in hospitality. The opening day continues with a BrewExpo America preview and closes with the Welcome Reception featuring local entertainment, Pennsylvania breweries, and signature Philly dishes.
The BrewExpo America trade show on Tuesday and Wednesday will feature curated educational sessions and sponsor activations, marking a more personalized approach to professional development that lets every attendee follow content aligned with their specific challenges and goals. The renewed format maintains producer engagement and networking opportunities throughout the event, alongside reducing travel time and costs for attendees.
Presenting the State of the Industry address is market expert and BA President and CEO, Bart Watson, reflecting on the challenges, wins, and future of the beverage alcohol industry. Immediately following Watson’s industry keynote, the renowned World Beer Cup® Awards Ceremony commences at 5:30 pm local time, celebrating brewing excellence on a global stage and closing out the CBC 2026 gathering.
Registration opens today, December 2, 2025, with early bird discounts available until February 6. Industry professionals are encouraged to register at CraftBrewersConference.com. One badge provides attendees entry to all conference programming, the trade show floor, networking functions, sponsor activations, and special events.
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