As major industry gatherings return to the calendar, the Brewers Association says it will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from all participants and attendees to its events in 2022. That includes the Craft Brewers Conference in May, the Homebrewers Conference in June, and the Great American Beer Festival in October.
In conjunction with the CBC in May, the requirement also applies to exhibitors and attendees of the BrewExpo America trade show as well as judges and volunteers for the World Beer Cup. It includes both U.S. participants and those traveling from abroad.
“Next year, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required of all attendees at events hosted by the Brewers Association,” says Ann Obenchain, the BA’s marketing director. “We believe it is in the best interest of our members and the larger brewing community to ensure we’re bringing back our annual events in the safest way possible. This includes the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America and the World Beer Cup, as well as all beer lovers attending the 40th annual Great American Beer Festival.”
Before the most recent CBC, held in September 2021 in Denver, the BA said that it strongly encouraged vaccinations but would not require them. The association has not yet announced how it will require attendees to provide their proof, but there are a growing number of technical solutions available.
“A proof of vaccine requirement requires a lot of planning and operational details,” Obenchain says. “Many more standard procedures and resources for successfully implementing this requirement are now available than previously.”
The CBC and BrewExpo are scheduled for May 2 to 5 in Minneapolis. The Great American Beer Festival is scheduled for October 6 to 8 in Denver.