08/09/2021

Advances in technology are cited as being one of the top three primary concerns of chief executives the world over. But in many ways, they’re the lucky ones with the resources to do something about it. Technology does not change the lives of big businesses, the most disruptive and dynamic new technology has the ability to transform the way we live our personal lives, never mind what goes on between the hours of 9 to 5 (if you’re lucky). 

The last five years alone has arguably seen more advances in technology than at any stage in our lifetimes as we move at such a fast pace to a world of increased automation, robotics that are increasingly influencing what we touch, feel, taste, eat, drink and see.

Future Drinks Expo hopes to help the beverage industry get on top of the most relevant, powerful and potentially industry-transforming new technologies in the market. 

As the drinks industry tries to keep up with arguably the fastest moving and challenging times in its history, Future Drinks Expo provides a new platform to see how advances in technology can help drinks companies not only tackle those issues but discover new opportunities and ways to grow profits and revenues.

“This is one of the most exciting events that we’ve ever organized for the drinks industry,” said Sid Patel, founder, and chief executive of Beverage Trade Network, the organizer of Future Drinks Expo. “For anyone looking to build a technology strategy for their drinks business by leveraging cutting-edge technological platforms, this is the place to be in May 2022.”

(Technology giants like Amazon are transforming the way we shop and live our daily and business lives like these till free stores)

Industry leveler 

It is also why The Buyer is so keen to be involved and show its support as a media partner and play its part in helping to promote and bring the world of technologies and beverages together. As editor-in-chief, Richard Siddle explains: “The wine industry is often criticized or labeled as being behind the mainstream FMCG and grocery business world. But technology is the great leveler particularly for an industry that with such a unique supply chain that goes from viticultural changes in the vineyard and all the way through to how it is being shipped, packed, marketed and sold. The best advances in technology can potentially transform each and every stage of that supply chain. That’s what makes Future Drinks Expo such an exciting new event.”

Up to now, the main skills a beverage professional has needed to have centered more around drinks education and knowledge. Not any more. To get ahead now, you also need to be on top of the key disruptive changes in technology and what potential impact they can have or are already having, in drinks. But it is one thing knowing you need all this state-of-the-art, cutting edge and disruptive technologies to help you, but where do you go to get it?

That’s what Future Drinks Expo hopes to fix. Helping beverage businesses, both big and small, discover and implement the right technology that is going to transform and re-imagine the future of drinks.

(The arrival of 19 Crimes brand with its talking augmented reality wine labels is probably the most high profile use of new technology in the drinks industry)

Future Drinks Expo will include:

Conference

A conference and workshop programme that will provide a platform for technology and beverage companies to hear new ideas, offer different solutions and share their experiences through a series of talks, conference sessions, masterclasses, and practical workshops.

Exhibition

A trade exhibition where technology businesses can present, explain and demonstrate their different technology solutions for the beverage sector.

Future Drinks Pitch

The show will also give 12 technology companies the chance to present a 10-minute pitch about what they do, and what difference they think they can make to the drinks industry in a special “Future Drinks Pitch” session. It will be then up to an audience, made of some of the sector’s key decision-makers and budget holders, to decide which, if any, of the new ideas presented to them they want to introduce to their business.

Competitive Edge

That is what Future Drinks Expo is all about. Giving delegates a competitive advantage over their peers. The opportunity to hear first hand about the most relevant technologies they need to know about for the drinks industry and then the chance to do business with the technology companies behind them. 

Who is it for?

Future Drinks Expo is aimed at senior drinks trade executives capable of making the hard, and big buying decisions for their businesses. It is designed for beverage industry professionals from all sectors including production, supply chain, buying, marketing, and selling. Producers to importers distributors to wholesalers, merchants to supermarkets, restaurants to bars.

Technology subjects to be covered at Future Drinks Expo:

(Voice search is already having a big influence on how people shop )

Future Drinks Expo will focus on the key technology areas that are most likely to have the biggest impact on the beverage industry. 

• Augmented reality
• Virtual reality
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Amazon web services
• Chatbot and voice recognition
• Robotics and automation
• Future distribution systems
• Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) innovations
• Mobile apps for online sites
• Marketing technology (including social media and location services)
• GDPR and privacy issues related to technology

Organizers

The event is being organized by Beverage Trade Network, which hosts conferences and exhibitions for the drinks industry around the world including breakthrough events in San Francisco, Chicago, London, and Shanghai, including the recent IBWSS London event for bulk and private label wine. 

When

The event will run be May 17, 2022 at Sonoma County Event Center, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.

For more information go to www.futuredrinksexpo.com.