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WORD FROM THE BFBi
Will the ‘road map’ show the way! Ruth Evans MBE
Photo by Gerardo Jaconelli
Despite Government’s seeming determination to annihilate the hospitality industry and its supply chain, together with a lack of exit strategy from Covid19, we need to look forward and support each other through what is going to be an even more challenging time as we endeavour to emerge in a financially viable way. With this in mind, we are continuing to organise BevExpo 2021 (see further information below, and on pages 13 & 67 of this issue), due to take place 8th & 9th June at Manchester Central. Will BevExpo go ahead? It really is a knife-edge thing but if we do cancel/ postpone now and then we come out of lockdown and social distancing, we will have missed an opportunity to enable our industry to get together for the first time since BeerX 2020.
This is not a situation any of us would want but it is what we have and we are keen to bring our wonderful industry together; to meet, to chat, to learn, just see each other. If we have to cancel, we have provisional dates for 2022 and there is no oncost to any exhibitors or sponsors. As I write this in early February, I’m keeping everything
crossed that Government’s announcement of a ‘road map’ on 22nd February gives us some light at the end of what is a very long tunnel.
What am I going to do when we are allowed to get out and about? • See my sons!!!!! • Get in my car and drive to see my members (not great for the environment but I am beyond fed up with Zoom and really miss driving up and down the country, meeting with member companies). • Go to the pub and meet friends. • Organise a great big ‘piss up in a brewery’ (Salt Beer Factory) so we can all get together, hug, shake hands, high five, bump elbows or whatever is your predilection, and talk and talk. • Have the full team back in the office and get back to organising tours, seminars, training.
BevExpo 2021 to host SIBA AGM BevExpo aims to be the first faceto-face event to take place in 2021 to help a struggling industry get back on its feet and is delighted to be able to host SIBA’s 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 8th 2021.
Says Ruth Evans MBE, Director, BTS Limited: “Partnerships and collaborations are key in producing a strong, not to be missed event and BevExpo has teamed up with leading international organisations and individuals to deliver the best programme possible. We are delighted that BevExpo will also play host to SIBA’s 2021 AGM in a bid to bring all members together for the first time in over a year.
“BevExpo encourages interactivity and proactiveness and we believe that knowledge is key to helping the chain grow and become stronger. Whether you are exhibiting or visiting we hope you are ready to ‘rebuild and restart’
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after a tough 18 months. We look forward to seeing you on the 8th-9th June 2021* for a fantastic industry event.”
Organised as a not-for-profit basis, this two-day, free to attend, collaborative event plays host to all sectors of the beverage industry, enabling manufacturers, suppliers and brand owners, to meet, learn and build a smarter network.
The event is returning to Manchester, which is where it started back in 2016, hosted by Manchester Central Convention Centre in the heart of this thriving city, with an exciting and lively social scene making it the perfect location to host the show and the after party! *Should Covid dictate this event cannot go ahead, the show will be rescheduled for June 2022.
For detailed information: www.bevexpo.com
• Think about things other than surviving; Covid grants (or lack of); Brexit regulations i.e. working together to re-establish our fantastic industry. • Get on a plane (I still have my fingers crossed that CBC might take place and, if not, drinktec will do). • Go for a walk in a different location – the coast is beckoning. • Have a ceremonial burning of my face mask. • Not think about hands, face, space Has being forced to become a prisoner in one’s own home been all bad? Probably not, it’s given me time to think, made me realise life does not have to be as hectic as it has been in the past. BUT, there are no two ways about it – I have missed you all!
Ruth Evans MBE, BFBi C.E.O.
Established in 1907, BFBi’s membership represents the entire value chain supplying the brewing and beverage industry – from seed geneticists through raw materials, brewhouse and process equipment to dispense, point-of-sale and brewers/distillers. The Association’s objective is to be the foremost trade association providing opportunities for its Members to develop within the brewing, food & beverage industry. As well as offering many benefits and services to suppliers of raw materials, process and packaging machinery, dispense and point of sale products, BFBi is a Trade Challenge Partner for various overseas exhibitions and owner and organiser of the oldest international brewing and cider Awards in the world.
SEE PAGE 66 FOR MORE INFO
BREWING & BEVERAGE INDUSTRIES BUSINESS • Spring 2021
