The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky is hosting the 2023 Bourbon Industry Conference in Lexington March 13-15. The institute annually offers this conference to spirits industry professionals and enthusiasts to showcase innovative research and educational opportunities.

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.

“This conference is becoming the premier event for spirits industry professionals in the United States,” said Seth DeBolt, Beam Institute director and UK horticulture professor. “This year, we’re again providing a wealth of information and resources attendees can use in their jobs.”

The three-day conference will address key topics in the industry. Academic and industry representatives will lead sessions focused on the current state of the bourbon industry, social responsibility, business, legal and financial, human resources, craft and hospitality, fermentation, maturation, big-picture distillation, quality and analysis, sensory nosing, grains, safety, sustainability, spent grains and diversity, equity and inclusion. 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 at the UK Gatton Student Center with registration and breakfast at 8 a.m. EST, and conference sessions beginning at 9 a.m. The expo will be open beginning the afternoon of March 13 and during dedicated expo times Tuesday, March 14.

Full conference registration is $450 and day passes are $225. Faculty registration is $150 and $75 for a day pass. Student registration is $25. The price includes educational sessions, exhibits, lunch and snacks and networking opportunities. To register, visit the conference page at https://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu/BeamConference2023.

Partners at the time of this release include Kentucky Distillers’ Association, American Farmland Trust, Averitt, Beam Suntory, Lallemand Biofuels and Distilled Spirits, Great Western Malting, Malteurop, KPFF Consulting Engineers, AB Biotek and Fermentis.

Space is limited at three conference hotels. For group rates at these hotels, visit https://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu/BeamConference2023.

For media inquiries contact Aimee Nielson, aimee.nielson@uky.edu. 

For more information, visit the Beam Institute website at http://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu.

The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits ensures the welfare and prosperity of Kentucky’s spirits industry. Through teaching, research and outreach, the institute promotes economic sustainability, environmental stewardship and responsible consumption. The Beam Institute is a multidisciplinary effort of experts from the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences and Gatton College of Business and Economics. For more information, visit the Beam Institute website at http://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu.  

UK and Jim Beam-parent company Beam Suntory are dedicated to the responsible consumption of alcohol and together will develop and expand successful alcohol awareness programs, including programming already funded by Beam Suntory.