![New Beer Industry Technology Symposium™ “BITS™†Set For June 30 & July 1 in Napa, California]()
by Smoke | Feb 20, 2014 | 2014 Event, Blog
Excited to announce the first Beer Industry Technology Symposium in collaboration with our 10th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium… it will be a technology extravaganza!
New Beer Industry Technology Symposiumâ„¢ “BITSâ„¢â€
Set For June 30 & July 1 in Napa, California
Craft Brewing Industry Leaders to Collaborate on Best Practices and Strategies
BITS to partner with the 10th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium® “WITS®†for First Event
For Immediate Release
February 20, 2014
(NAPA, Calif.) – Leaders of the brewing, distribution and technology industries have formed the new Beer Industry Technology Symposium, BITS, to create a dedicated industry forum where technology and strategy intersect. The first BITS will be held in Napa, California in conjunction with the Wine Industry Technology Symposium® – WITS® June 30 & July 1, 2014 at the Napa Valley Marriott.
The purpose of BITS is to address the unique information technology, and service needs, of the beer industry. BITS is dedicated to bringing the world’s leading beer industry professionals together with the world’s leading technology experts, to foster learning and discussion. Panels of experts will discuss specific examples and case studies that will deliver tangible take-home value and create relationships.
SteadyServ Technologies®, has built technology to help bars and restaurants, distributors and craft brewers — even patrons — keep track of the beer remaining in a keg and more effectively manage their beer inventories. SteadyServ’s Founder and CEO Steve Hershberger said, “Given the massive changes occurring in the beer industry, BITS is the right gathering at the right time. Getting the craft beer industry together, to discuss technology solutions and the strategies needed to ensure continued growth and success, is difficult due to both the high number of beer producers and the vast geographic differences in their physical locations. BITS will provide an important venue for the industry’s thought leaders to collaborate for the greater good of the industry. SteadyServ will be there in full force.â€
The growth and importance of craft beer is widely documented. According to the Brewers Association, the number of craft breweries in the US has risen from a low of > 100 1977 to > 3,500 in 2013. Over the next 5 years, the growth in craft beer volume is expected to be greater than over the past 25 years combined. Given this explosion in consumer demand, and the number of new operations that have been formed, there is a specific need to understand best practices and strategies within the industry. Many new brewery owners are attempting to reinvent the wheel in terms of processes and systems to run their businesses. BITS aims to be the industry-wide resource to help educate beer industry members and unite them with best-of-class technology providers.
“After owning a rapidly-growing craft brewery from 2010 – 2013, and then working with a number of others to help build their beer businesses, I spent a lot of time networking with other breweries and observed their efforts to manage growth and establish systems that are vital to run an efficient and effective business,†said J. Smoke Wallin, BITS Chairman and Founder. “While there are many beer industry events such as NBWA and GABF, there has never been a forum focused on the technology needs of craft brew operators. BITS will fill that void.â€
Expected attendees include craft breweries, distributors, retailers and on-premise and technology providers. There will be content for everyone from the Owner/GM/President to the Information Technology Manager or CFO to the Brewers to the Sales Managers. Building on the successful model of WITS, with cross-functional workshops and keynote speakers, BITS will draw from industry leaders to present tangible take-home value as a result of a focused gathering.
The agenda includes sessions on: Technology Leadership – Best-of-Class Tools, Consumer Direct Sales – Managing the Tap Room and Online Presence, Trade Sales & Marketing – Craft Beer Route To Market – Gaining & Managing Distribution, Brewery Operations – Hops to Kettle to Keg or Can
Interested sponsors and speakers can contact Waunice Orchid (Tradeshow Coordinator) Waunice@swgnapa.com (707) 261-8716 today. Registration will open March 1, 2014. Space is limited and BITS is expected to sell out, so register early.
www.beertechnologysymposium.com
ABOUT BITS:
The Beer Industry Technology Symposium (BITS) was created to address the unique information technology and services needs of the Beer industry. BITS is dedicated to bringing the world’s leading breweries, distributors and retailers together with the leading technology experts to foster learning and discussion. Expert panels and keynotes discuss leading edge case studies involving consumer direct marketing and sales, operations, financial management, trade sales and distribution, brewing and input management
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by Smoke | Feb 11, 2014 | 2014 Event, Blog
We are in full planning mode for the 10th Annual WITS… hard to believe that a few of us sat around brain storming ideas for a “technology extravaganza for the wine industry” almost 11 years ago. Â Please plan on joining us this year in Napa, CA as we celebrate a decade of WITS, for what promises to be our most exciting and well attended event. Â Here is the link to the press release and posted below as well.
10th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium to Unite Wine Business Leaders, Technology Experts on June 30 & July 1, 2014
(NAPA, Calif.)  —The 10th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)®, the premier event showcasing the strategic use of information technology and services for the wine industry, has been set for June 30 – July 1, 2014 at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel. www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
Executives from wineries, distributors and retailers gather annually at WITS, the only annual conference designed exclusively to foster education and debate around the application of technology solutions for the wine industry. The 2014 WITS program includes:
- Educational Tracks – Sessions on Technology Leadership, Small Business, Consumer Direct, Trade Sales & Marketing and Vineyard & Winery Operations
- Speed Dating – To celebrate the 10th technology extravaganza, WITS has introduced “speed dating†for winery CIOs and technology companies. This will provide opportunities for quality one-on-one time with key decision makers and thought leaders.
- Plus Beer, with BITS – WITS has united leaders in the craft brewing industry to add the first Beer Industry Technology Symposium (BITS™) that will run concurrent with WITS this year.
“In today’s rapidly changing business environment, where consumers are driving massive change throughout the industry, it is vital to get it right when it comes to your route to market, as well as the strategic and tactical use of enabling technology,†said J. Smoke Wallin, WITS Co-Chair. “WITS is the only place where winery owners and GMs can sit side by side for a day of learning and discussion with CIOs and other technology leaders from across the three tiers,†he added.
The WITS Steering Committee, comprised of technology and business leaders across the wine industry, is currently finalizing panel topics and keynote speakers. Past speakers have included the CEOs, CIOs and leaders from Amazon, Facebook, Groupon, garyvaynerchuk.com, FedEx Office, Nielsen and 1800-Flowers, as well as experts from IBM, Oracle, Cornell University, UC Davis, Sonoma State University and many others.
Attendees and sponsors are encouraged to register early, as space is limited and expected to sell out quickly. Registration will open March 1, 2014. For more information visit www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com.
About The Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) was created to address the unique information technology and services needs of the wine industry. WITS is dedicated to bringing the world’s leading wineries, distributors and retailers together with the leading technology experts to foster learning and discussion. Expert panels and keynotes discuss leading edge case studies involving consumer direct marketing and sales, operations, financial management, trade sales and distribution, winemaking and vineyard management. www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
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by Smoke | Jul 2, 2010 | 2010 Event, Distributors, E-commerce, Education, Software, Supply Chain, WITS Happenings
Abbey Klassen, Executive Editor, Ad Age
For those of you who have followed this blog over the years, you will know that it was launched in 2005 when we first created WITS.  The 6th Wine Industry Technology Symposium promises to be our best ever.  Besides an action packed agenda of break out sessions with real take home value, I am very pleased with our two keynote speakers Michael Gelb and Abbey Klaassen. Both of these accomplished individuals represent what WITS is all about, innovation and how we can all adopt to the changing business environment in which we live.  I hope you choose to join me at this year’s conference.  It will be worth the effort.  See you in Napa!
Abbey Klaassen of Advertising Age to Deliver Keynote at
Wine Industry Technology Symposium in July
Register Now for Tech Summit
June 9, 2010, Napa, CA – Abbey Klaassen, Executive Editor of Advertising Age, a leading global source of news, intelligence and conversation for marketing and media communities will deliver the keynote speech at the sixth annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)® July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriott Napa Valley.
Klaassen’s address, titled “Living in a Post-Digital World,†will address consumer behavior and the resulting opportunities for businesses in this post-digital world. When every physical location is accompanied by a digital experience, social media increasingly becomes a reflection of real life. Interactive technology is like the air we breathe “so ubiquitous we often take it for granted.â€
Conference co-chair, Lesley Berglund said: “We were looking for a keynote speaker who could address the technology shift that has changed the way we do business. We wanted to go beyond networking tools and really take a look at the far reaching implications of our digital lives. We are thrilled to have Klassen sharing her perspective…â€
Best Selling Author Michael Gelb to Deliver One of the Keynotes
at Wine Industry Technology Symposium in July
Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking - Gelb and Wallin at book release
Register Now for Tech Summit
June 22, 2010, Napa, CA – Michael Gelb, author of international best seller How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, Innovate Like Edison: The Five-Step System for Breakthrough Business Success and Wine Drinking For Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices will deliver the keynote speech at the sixth annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriott Napa Valley.
Gelb’s general session address, titled “How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci,†will discuss the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. Gelb is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership and has more than 30 years of experience as a professional speaker, seminar leader and organizational consultant.
Gelb will not only be one of the keynote speakers in the general session but will also be a speaker for the networking dinner being held at the Napa Marriott on Tuesday night, July 13th. His address, titled “Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices,†also the title of his book, will discuss expanding creativity through wine appreciation. Gelb’s book comes highly recommended by wine authorities such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Host of Wine Library TV and Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate and others.
Conference co-chair, Smoke Wallin said: “Gelb’s message couldn’t be more timely. The wine industry is changing at a rapid pace which requires both owners and team members to find new ways to do business. We’re thrilled that we can offer both innovative technologies and a new perspective for applying them at the conference.â€
Online Registration Now Open
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS), the premier industry event showcasing innovation and the strategic use of information technology, is now accepting online registrations for its fifth annual conference. The event will be held on July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriot Napa Valley. www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
Early Bird Pricing Ends July 2
Tickets are available online before Friday July 3rd and at the “early bird†price of $100 for day one and $250 for day two, per guest. After July 4th, registrants pay the full price of $150 and $300, respectively. Full program details are available online.
About WITS
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) was created in 2005 by a group of wine industry and technology professionals. The purpose of WITS is to address the unique information technology and services needs of the wine industry. WITS is dedicated to bringing the world’s leading wineries, wholesalers and retailers together with some of the world’s leading technology experts to foster learning and discussion. Panels of experts will discuss specific examples and case studies. www.WineIndustryTechnologySymposium.com
#Â Â #Â Â #
Media Contact:
Lesley P. Berglund, co-chair, 707-246-6827
Pete Blackshaw of Nielsen on last year’s WITS conference:
Pete Blackshaw on WITS 2009
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