Convention - issues for industry longevity

Media release 1 April 2008

IBD Convention 2008 brewing up to discuss essential issues for industry longevity

Key leaders of the Asia Pacific brewing and distilling industry will meet in Auckland from Sunday 6th April – Thursday 10th April to discuss the critical issues and future of their industry.

Last held in New Zealand in 1990, The Institute of Brewing and Distilling 30th Asia Pacific Section Convention 2008 will bring together over 400 industry scientists, brewers, distillers, technicians and craftsmen from 24 countries.

Lion Nathan New Zealand Technical Manager and Convention Convenor David Meads is greatly encouraged by the response. “We are delighted to host the event in New Zealand again after a gap of eighteen years and we are confident that the programme we have put together, along with an international line-up of speakers, will embrace key challenges that both the brewing and distilling industries and their suppliers face currently and in the future.”

Apart from the many technical aspects of the convention, critical issues facing the industry to be discussed include climate change and how this impacts on the availability of raw product for the manufacture of beer, human resources issues of attracting and retaining essential craftsmen in a globalising market and consumer drinking behaviour and how this impacts on the industry.

Opening keynote addresses by the MD’s of both Lion Nathan New Zealand and DB Breweries Ltd on The Dynamics of the NZ Liquor Industry sets the scene for the direction and calibre of the four days. This is ably backed by Australian Associated Brewers Executive Director Stephen Swift’s discussion on “Regulating Alcohol: What’s Urgent, What’s Important”.

Lion Nathan and DB Breweries will also ensure that delegates can sample an impressive range of beers. The Gala Dinner which will be held in the SkyCity Grand hotel on Thursday evening promises to showcase exciting beer and food combinations, including Chocolatier Hanna Frederick’s Beer Chocolate created from Monteiths Black Beer and Speight’s Old Dark.

Meads concludes that “The list of delegates to date looks like the who’s who of our industry and we are looking forward to four days of useful and practical discussion and learning from some of the best minds in our field.”

The Institute of Brewing and Distilling 30th Asia Pacific Section Convention 2008 takes place from Sunday 6th April – Thursday 10th April 2008 at SKYCITY Auckland.

ENDS

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