MILAN – Solidarity in the crisis, exchange across borders, alternative paths to navigate the industry during a global pandemic and drink innovations: from October 12-18, 2020, Global Bar Week brought the bar and beverage industry together digitally across four continents. For the first time, the most important global shows in the industry, Bar Convent Berlin, BCB Brooklyn, BCB São Paulo and Imbibe Live, united to form a common platform to bring the industry together worldwide.
232 exhibitors presented themselves with virtual showrooms. Around 6,800 participants from 77 countries have taken advantage of Global Bar Week so far and informed themselves about innovations, trends and industry best practices. The majority of the attendees came from the USA, Brazil, UK and Germany, but attendees from all parts of Europe, India, Mexico and Singapore also actively used the virtual platform.
“We are proud of what we have created together,” said BCB Director Petra Lassahn at the end of the week-long event. “In an exceptional year, we have opened up new paths for the future with the digital platform. The offering was very valuable for our participants, especially in the current crisis. Digital trade fairs cannot replace live shows, but this year they have given us the opportunity to come together as an industry, across all countries and continents, despite the pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in the USA, Brazil and the UK for their collaboration. Together we have kept the drinks industry’s spirit alive,” Petra continues.
Digital networking
This year’s Global Bar Week had many benefits for the industry – as a forum for exchange, a top-level educational programme, a think tank and innovative show. Matchmaking, a kind of dating platform for business, was an important tool for the participants. A total of around 1,000 one-to-one video meetings took place on the platform. In addition, visitors and exhibitors had the opportunity to exchange contact details and generate leads in the brand portal.
Global Bar Week: Content from top speakers
Education traditionally plays an important role at both BCB and Imbibe Live, and this year is no exception. In total, the programme was viewed for nearly 3,000 hours. There were around 150 sessions and panel discussions to choose from: topics ranged from coronavirus to social issues, from bartending to bar business.
The particularly sought-after contents ranged from spirits and comsumption trends to drink and menu design, a look behind the scenes of bars from all over the world and basic knowledge, such as the “History of cocktails in 30 drinks”. Also in demand were the lectures “How to become the best bartender in the world,” “No & Low Aperitif” or the “AeroPress preparation of coffee”.
“We built a robust and useful digital meeting place and lecture hall that provided practical, inspiring and relevant education for our vast and diverse community”, said BCB Director of Education, Angus Winchester. “Feedback has been amazing and the extension of the education programme means more time to explore new topics, hear new voices and opinions and continue to move forward to the new normal. I thank all speakers who shared their experiences with us.”
“As the hospitality industry continues to suffer the effects of the global pandemic, Global Bar Week was a much-needed opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and insights from the industry’s innovative thinkers,” reflected Emily Impey, Content Manager for Imbibe Live. “It was the perfect platform to address the business critical issues that the on-trade are currently facing, look at the trends defining the future of the industry, and reflect on industry defining issues such sustainability and diversity and inclusion ”
The programme will be available on the Global Bar Week platform until October 25. Complimentary registration is still available on all four event websites.
The next Bar Convent Brooklyn will take place at the Brooklyn Expo Center in June 2021. The next Imbibe Live will be taking on 5 & 6 July 2021, Olympia London. And the next Bar Convent Berlin will take place from 11 to 13 October 2021 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
barconvent.com
barconventbrooklyn.com
barconventsaopaulo.com.br
live.imbibe.com
