Join the NC Craft Brewers Conference + Expo from November 15-17, 2026, in Winston-Salem, NC, for a premier gathering of craft brewing professionals.
Dates
15–17 Nov 2026
City / country
Winston-Salem, USA
Venue
Benton Convention Center
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
The NC Craft Brewers Conference + Expo is set to bring together craft brewing professionals from across the Southeast for three days of learning, networking, and shopping. Attendees can expect a dynamic lineup of sessions and workshops designed to inspire and elevate the craft brewing community.
The event will be held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC, from November 15-17, 2026. NC Craft Brewers Conference + Expo takes place in Winston-Salem, USA.
TL;DR
Attendees will gain insights from industry leaders, explore the latest trends in craft brewing, and network with peers. Attendees include craft brewing professionals, brewery owners, and industry stakeholders. Early bird pricing is available until October 16, 2026, with various ticket options.
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their products to a targeted audience of craft brewing professionals, enhancing visibility and driving sales. The event provides a platform to network with potential clients and partners, making it a valuable opportunity for business growth. Participating in the expo allows exhibitors to engage directly with attendees, fostering relationships that can lead to future collaborations.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
1301 West 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Benton Convention Center for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
General admission
3-Day ALL ACCESS Pass for Brewery, Guild Members (Early Bird)
General admission
3-Day ALL ACCESS Pass for NCCBG Allied Members (Early Bird)
General admission
Single Day Pass for Brewery, Guild Members (Early Bird)
General admission
Single Day Pass for NCCBG Allied Members (Early Bird)
General admission
Monday Single Day Pass for Brewery, Guild Members (Early Bird)
General admission
Monday Single Day Pass for NCCBG Allied Members (Early Bird)
Who runs the show
North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild
How the last edition performed
Edition recap
Impact
The most recent completed edition was the 2025 NC Craft Brewers Conference + Trade Expo, held November 16–18, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The event is organized by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild and pairs a multi-day conference program with a trade expo floor serving the state's craft brewing industry. Industry coverage of the 2025 edition highlighted the conference as the annual gathering point for NC brewers, allied trade suppliers.
Exhibitor outcomes
The most recent completed edition was the 2025 NC Craft Brewers Conference + Trade Expo, held November 16–18, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The event is organized by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild and pairs a multi-day conference program with a trade expo floor serving the state's craft brewing industry. Industry coverage of the 2025 edition highlighted the conference as the annual gathering point for NC brewers, allied trade suppliers and industry partners. The official schedule page and expo.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Attendees will gain insights from industry leaders, explore the latest trends in craft brewing, and network with peers. The conference offers educational sessions tailored to enhance knowledge and skills in the craft brewing field.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Latest updates from across the market.
Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report - San Diego Beer News®
ReadCraft Beer & Brewing - Craft Beer Recipes, Reviews, and Industry News
ReadBeer News - CraftBeer.com
ReadA Year of Correction for Craft Beer, With Early Signals of Recovery
ReadCraft Beer News & Brewery Information
ReadLatest News - Brewers Association
ReadPlan your trip
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Upper-upscale downtown hotel (walkable to the Benton Convention Center)
Best fit for brewery owners and allied-member teams who want to move between sessions, the expo floor and evening receptions without a car.
Full service restaurant, bar, fitness center, business center, valet or garage parking
Full-service midscale downtown hotel
The typical price band for downtown conference stays; inventory tightens when competing Winston-Salem events overlap the 15-17 November 2026 dates.
Breakfast service, fitness room, self-parking deck or garage nearby
Select-service hotel, downtown fringe or Liberty Street corridor
A reasonable trade-off for exhibitors who need parking for a loaded vehicle and do not mind a short drive each morning.
Included breakfast, fitness room, free or low-cost parking
Airport-area hotel near Piedmont Triad International (GSO)
Lowest nightly band of the practical options, but you need a rental car or daily rideshare budget; sensible for teams flying in on a late Sunday flight.
Airport shuttle, free parking, breakfast service
Extended-stay or group-block property outside the downtown core
Best economics for exhibitor crews staying four or more nights across build-up, show days and dismantle.
In-room kitchen, laundry, free parking
Budget limited-service motel on the Winston-Salem outskirts
Cheapest documented band, but factor in a rental car, fuel and parking at the venue before treating it as the lowest total cost.
Basic rooms, free parking, limited breakfast
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
WSTA city bus
Plan trips via wstransit.com/plan-your-trip.
Rideshare / taxi
Downtown Winston-Salem is compact; rideshare is the most practical option for airport transfers.
Car / rideshare parking
City Parking and Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership pages list decks and street parking options.
taxi
taxi
Weather
November in Winston-Salem is late autumn: mild days and cool nights. Source climate summaries indicate daytime highs near 16 C (low 60s F) and overnight lows near 5 C (low 40s F), with November among the drier months of the year. Carry a warm layer for evening events and an umbrella for occasional rain showers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress in the Piedmont
Business casual is the default at this conference: collared shirts, jeans or chinos and closed shoes are common among brewers and suppliers, and a jacket is only needed for evening receptions or if you are meeting distributors and financiers. Practical footwear matters because the expo floor and cellar-equipment demos involve a lot of standing.
Moravian heritage and Old Salem
Winston-Salem is nicknamed the Twin City and its Old Salem district preserves the 18th-century Moravian settlement, with restored buildings, gardens and a bakery museum. It is a short drive or a long walk from downtown and makes an easy pre-conference afternoon if you arrive on Saturday 14 November.
Tipping and service norms
US tipping norms apply: 18-20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at the bar, and a few dollars per night for hotel housekeeping. Card payment is near-universal, but carry a little cash for small purchases and tips.
Taproom and brewery etiquette
North Carolina breweries commonly run flights, half pours and to-go cans, with staff happy to talk through styles if the bar is not slammed. At conference socials and brewery events, pace yourself across a three-day schedule and arrange a rideshare rather than driving after drinking.
November weather in the Piedmont Triad
Mid-November is late autumn here: daytime highs near 16 C (low 60s F) and overnight lows near 5 C (low 40s F), with November among the drier months. Downtown blocks between hotels and the Benton Convention Center are walkable, but bring a warm layer for evening events and an umbrella for the occasional shower.
Getting oriented downtown
The Benton Convention Center sits in the downtown core, with restaurants, bars and breweries within a short walk along Fourth Street, Trade Street and Liberty Street. Winston-Salem's downtown is compact but spread over several blocks, so check your hotel's walking distance before booking.
Local food and drink culture
Expect Carolina barbecue, Southern diners and a dense cluster of independent breweries and taprooms around downtown. Reservations help on show nights, and many downtown kitchens close earlier on Sundays and Mondays than on a Friday.
Smoking and public spaces
North Carolina restricts smoking in most indoor public places including restaurants and bars, so smoking generally happens outdoors. Festival and street-event rules vary, and venue policies at the Benton Convention Center apply throughout the show floor.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Winston-Salem; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Most international attendees need a U.S. visa for business travel. The B-1 temporary business visitor classification covers attending conferences and meetings. Visa Waiver Program nationals may instead travel under ESTA. Check your eligibility on the U.S. Department of State site before booking flights.
Apply through USTravelDocs for the B-1 business visitor visa. Confirm current requirements and appointment availability with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Visa Waiver Program rules are set by the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Winston-Salem; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Benton Convention Center: Downtown Winston-Salem: Upper-upscale downtown hotel (walkable to the Benton Convention Center); Downtown Winston-Salem core: Full-service midscale downtown hotel; Downtown fringe and Liberty Street corridor: Select-service hotel, downtown fringe or Liberty Street corridor.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Winston-Salem; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) operates city bus routes across Winston-Salem, with plan-your-trip tools and route maps on wstransit.com. Downtown routes connect hotel districts to the Benton Convention Center area; check current schedules and fares on the WSTA site before travel.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Benton Convention Center; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026
Temperature: Approx. 4-16 C (low 40s to low 60s F); nights cool, days mild
Seasonality: Late autumn: generally low rainfall, occasional showers, cool nights. Confirm forecast before travel.
Packing: Pack layers for mild days and cool evenings, a light waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes for downtown Winston-Salem, and business casual attire for conference sessions.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at NC Craft Brewers Conference + Expo usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Confirm your registration tier against your NCCBG membership status - brewery/guild member, allied member, or brewery-in-planning - and check whether early-bird pricing is still open for the 15-17 November 2026 dates.
Decide All-Access versus Single Day. A Monday single-day pass is priced separately, so build your Winston-Salem arrival around the sessions and expo hours you actually need.
Book a downtown Winston-Salem room within walking distance of the Benton Convention Center, or plan a short rideshare from the Liberty Street and highway-side hotels if downtown inventory is full.
Work out the airport leg to Winston-Salem. Piedmont Triad International (GSO) is the closest gateway; Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) are longer road transfers, so book ground transport before you fly.
Check WSTA city bus routes and fares on wstransit.com if you are staying outside the downtown core, and note the last evening service times before committing to a bus-dependent plan.
Map your session priorities across the three days and note which expo halls or supplier categories you need to visit, so you are not making brewhouse, packaging or taproom software decisions in the last hour of the floor.
Pack for late Piedmont autumn: daytime highs near 16 C (low 60s F) and overnight lows near 5 C (low 40s F), plus a warm layer for evening receptions and an umbrella for showers.
Confirm whether your brewery's decision makers are attending the same days as you - equipment and distribution conversations are faster when the owner, head brewer and taproom manager are on the floor together.
Download your registration confirmation and have photo ID ready for badge pickup at the Benton Convention Center on the first morning.
Plan parking in advance if you are driving: reserve a downtown deck near the convention center rather than relying on street parking during a three-day event.
Charge devices and load the conference schedule and any exhibitor list the Guild publishes, so you can adjust your route on the floor rather than reading a printed guide in the aisle.
Set a realistic meeting plan - four to six substantive supplier conversations per expo session beats a full sweep of every booth - and leave buffer time for the impromptu conversations that happen in the hall.
Registration and hall orientation at Benton Convention Center
Supplier meetings and product demos
Final negotiations and follow-up
NC Craft Brewers Conference + Expo registration concourse
Benton Convention Center
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Benton Convention Center
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General admission
USD 195 / per person
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General admission | USD 195 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Use this quick check to decide whether NC Craft Brewers Conference + Expo fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For NC Craft Brewers Conference + Expo, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You plan to evaluate equipment, taproom growth tactics, or distribution options for your brewery this cycle.
Best for
Brewery owners, head brewers, and operations managers sourcing equipment, ingredients, or packaging for a North Carolina production brewery.
Min. budget
$500.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before November to secure registration, accommodation, and travel.
Risks
Session details may be updated close to the event; confirm the published schedule before booking.
exhibit
You have concrete leads or a product launch aimed at the NC brewing market and want qualified onsite meetings.
Best for
Brewing equipment, packaging, ingredient, and brewery services suppliers targeting North Carolina craft breweries.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for booth booking, freight, and pre-show outreach.
Risks
Booth pricing is not published in captured sources; confirm exhibitor rates via the Guild's expo page.
skip
Your roadmap does not include the craft brewing or taproom market for the coming year.
Best for
Teams outside the craft brewing sector, or brands without an NC distribution or supplier interest.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Attending without brewing-adjacent goals typically delivers low ROI for this event.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
