After going virtual for 2021, The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky is offering a robust, three-day Bourbon Industry Conference in person for 2022. The institute is committed to offering spirits industry professionals and enthusiasts innovative research and educational opportunities with its third annual conference March 14-16 on the UK campus in Lexington.
The Beam Institute is a collaboration between the UK colleges of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Arts and Sciences; Business and Economics; and Engineering. Its vision is to educate the next generation of distillers through a curriculum that develops skills for undergraduates, graduate students and professionals to succeed in the distilled spirits industry.
"Last year, we offered the conference virtually so that COVID-19 didn't interrupt our momentum," said Seth DeBolt, Beam Institute director and UK horticulture professor. "This year, we're excited to move back to an in-person event to provide a wealth of information and resources bourbon industry professionals can use in their jobs."
The conference will address key topics those in the industry regularly encounter. UK and industry representatives will lead sessions focused on the current state of the bourbon industry, human resources in the distilled spirits industry, fermentation, maturation, distillation, spent grains, supply chain, sustainability, sales and tourism, construction, business, diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility. Participants will have opportunities to network and visit more than 40 interactive displays at the vendor expo. Attendees will also earn a certificate of continuing education for participation.
The conference will begin each day with registration and expo at 7:30 a.m. ET, breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a welcome at 9 a.m. The expo will reopen during breaks and 2:30-6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
