27th Annual International Beer Strategies 2025

The Just Drinks’ International Beer Strategies Conference is the ultimate go-to event for international beer leaders

28 - 30

April

2025
  • Prague
  • Ticketed

Why attend?

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2025?

The Just Drinks’ International Beer Strategies Conference is the ultimate go-to event for international beer leaders

150+

Attendees to meet each year

20+

Exhibitors to meet each year

35+

Speakers

80%

Attendees at Director+ level

150+

Attendees to meet each year

20+

Exhibitors to meet each year

35+

Speakers

80%

Attendees at Director+ level

2024 highlights

2024 Agenda

  • 14 May 2024
  • 15 May 2024
  • 16 May 2024
Expand All

Streams

Stream one

Stream A - Emerging Markets & Growth

Stream two

Stream B - Innovation & NPD

11:15 AM

Unlocking fresh avenues for No & Low growth

  • Embracing consumer preferences for moderation
  • Cheers to inclusivity: Increasing accessibility through lower costs and lighter tastes
  • Enhancing product portfolios with new offerings
  • Pouring into younger demographics with fresh branding and packaging designs

Speakers

Henrik Kihlberg
CEO, Nils Oscar

12:15 PM

All that glitters is not gold LITE: A case study on the ascension of Iceland’s biggest beer

  • The playing field – Iceland´s beer story and strict alcohol policy
  • The players – How to stay current and innovative, even at 111 years old
  • The game – Consumer trends and preferences, the Lean Shift
  • The result – How every fifth beer sold in Iceland is Gull Lite

 

Speakers

Hafsteinn Snæland
Head of Brewery Operations - Ölgerðin, Iceland
Júlía Eyfjörð Jónsdóttir
CTO - Ölgerðin, Iceland

12:45 PM

Networking lunch

1:45 PM

Fireside Chat: Mapping out the growth of No & Low beverages

  • How the UK No & Low beer category has developed since 2017
  • Future areas for growth in alcohol-free beer
  • Navigating value perception and costs
  • The emerging mid-strength, light & “better-for-you” opportunities
  • Future opportunities and global market contexts

 

 

Speakers

Chris Hannaway
Co-Founder - Infinite Session
Tom Hannaway
Co-Founder - Infinite Session
Nehna Rauf
Director, Global Consulting Practice – GlobalData

2:15 PM

Lessons learned in developing a green hydrogen production facility to provide a source of de-carbonised energy

  • Decarbonising industrial heat
  • Alternatives to direct renewables and electrification
  • Techno-economic analysis and outcomes

 

Speakers

Peter Oldacre
Chief Commercial Officer - Protium

2:45 PM

Changing Consumer Concerns: Addressing Sustainability, Food Waste, and Health & Wellness

  • Making way for novel ingredients
  • Upcycling by-products
  • Scientific breakthroughs in the beverage industry

Speakers

Eric Ottaway
CEO, Brooklyn Brewery

3:15 PM

Afternoon refreshments and networking

8 AM

Registration and refreshments

8:45 AM

Chair’s opening remarks

Speakers

Kevin Baker
Head of Global Beer & Cider Research – GlobalData

9 AM

OPENING KEYNOTE: The brand behind the beer

  • Brand stories as a differentiating factor in saturated markets
  • Reaching younger generations through narratives
  • Creating meaningful connections that encourage loyalty
  • An opportunity to communicate value

 

Speakers

Rui Lopes Ferreira
CEO - Super Bock Group

9:30 AM

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Panel: Embracing new solutions for sustainability in the beer industry

  • Innovations in design and materials for sustainable packaging
  • Successes in practice: Keg rentals, refillable bottle schemes, and drafts
  • Equipment worth investing in for your business
  • Understanding the boom of canned beverages and what it means for the beer industry
  • Saving on costs without sacrificing quality and sustainability
  • Starting small with actions to drive efficiency in internal processes

      

Speakers

Andy Hepworth
Chairman and Founder - Hepworth Brewery
Benet Fité
Managing Director of Quality, R&D+I and Environment - Mahou San Miguel
Kevin Baker
Head of Global Beer & Cider Research – GlobalData
Bineke Posthumus
Director of Business Development - Avantium Renewable Polymers

10 AM

Assessing global data-driven trends in the beer industry

  • How changing consumer behaviours have made an impact at every level
  • Identifying industry-wide responses to increasing regulations and ESG demands
  • Assessing variations in key growth drivers across different markets: Low & No, ESG, NPD, Premiumisation
  • Attitudes to market volatility: Economic risks skewing trends in beverages

Speakers

Kevin Baker
Head of Global Beer & Cider Research – GlobalData

10:30 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

11:15 AM

INVESTMENT SPOTLIGHT: Fireside chat: Evolving approaches to raising investment and fighting for commercial space as a beer brand

  • Collaboration controversy: A strong strategy or risk for brand identity
  • Building niche alternatives to the mainstream
  • The importance of building relationships with buyers (and finding the right approach)
  • Nuances for No & Low brands
  • Traditional vs trendy: Sourcing investment

 

Speakers

Rob Fink
Founder, Big Drop Brewing
Antoni Folguera Ventura
Off-Trade Business Unit Director – Damm
Kevin Baker
Head of Global Beer & Cider Research – GlobalData

11:45 AM

Available for sponsor

11:45 AM

The road to decarbonization for breweries: Real world examples from E.ON

  • Introduction of E.ON and EIS
  • ON capabilities supporting customer’s
  • decarbonization journey
  • Key solutions for a seamless transition
  • Climate positive biomass CHP project
  • A joint journey towards Carbon Zero

Speakers

Christoph Hiesgen
Senior Manager Growth & Sales - E.ON

12:15 PM

Scaling up your export business model

  • Importance of choosing the right distribution model in fulfilling brand growth ambition
  • Building long-term win-win partnerships
  • New approaches to expanding in matured beer markets

Speakers

Renata Pankova
Global Commercial Director International Markets - Budweiser Budvar

12:45 PM

Networking lunch

1:45 PM

Premiumisation across beer: Seizing opportunities for the long term

  • Market maturity as base for premiumisation
  • Leading the winning segments
  • Differentiation and demand for new
  • Recruiting consumers into the category: From No & Low to adjacent categories
  • The importance of playing in the right occasions

 

Speakers

Juan Gonzalez
International Business Unit Director - Damm

2:15 PM

Reserved for KHS GmbH

2:45 PM

As the global economy enters a new era, understanding the ‘macro’ drivers of consumer spending trends

  • From the ‘fake’ post-Covid cycle to real – but unfamiliar – expansion: Growth with margin pressure
  • How the new cycle will play out in the three main centres of the global economy – US, China, Europe – and in the core EM case of Brazil
  • Navigating the ‘polycrisis’ of climate, demography, geopolitical tension: amid fragmenting markets, signposts to sweet spots
  • Focus on migration reshaping mature consumer markets
  • Bird’s eye view of implications for beer market strategies

 

Speakers

Christopher Granville
Managing Director, Global Political & Policy Research, GlobalData.TS Lombard

3:15 PM

Afternoon refreshments and networking

3:45 PM

The right beer for the right consumer: Delving deep into vegetarians’ taste trends

  • The rise of vegetarian diets, the Gen Z, and the impact on beer consumption patterns
  • The influence of vegetarian diet on beer flavours (a snapshot of the Italian consumers and the similarity with other European countries)
  • Vegetarian food preferences: an opportunity for greater experimentation with styles and flavours
  • A data-driven approach to understand taste preferences and enabling the development and marketing of the right beer for the right consumer
  • Focus on what is influencing taste preferences: examples on personality and other variables

 

Speakers

Stefano Pagaria
Sensory Project Manager – Vinhood

4 PM

Panel: Exploring on-trade and off-trade dynamics on a global scale

  • Zooming into varied approaches geographically
  • Shifting incentives for investment
  • The impact of a growing gap between on-trade and off-trade success
  • Feeding into the value of luxury experiences
  • Boosting hospitality sales: Keep the beer flowing in on-trade

Speakers

Jan Niewodniczanski
Managing Director and Owner - Bitburger Braugruppe
Marius Horbačauskas
CEO, Volfas Engelman
Filipe Macieira
Co-Founder – LETRA
Lukas Neulen
Business Unit Director "House of Beer, Wine, Spirits & 3PP" - Feldschlösschen Getränke AG (Carlsberg Switzerland)
Kevin Baker
Head of Global Beer & Cider Research – GlobalData

4:30 PM

Packaging solutions beyond glass and aluminium: Sustainable and functional alternative for the consumers of tomorrow

  • Introduction to PEF: a 100% bio-based and recyclable polyester packaging material for the food & beverage industry
  • Update on production and partnerships in the beverage segment.
  • Plastic packaging versus glass and aluminium packaging for the beverage industry: costs and benefits
  • Zoom in to the growing Ready To Drinks Market and highlight the key trends in the aluminium markets

 

Speakers

Bineke Posthumus
Director of Business Development - Avantium Renewable Polymers

4:45 PM

Global insights into consumer behaviour: Tailoring strategies for the next generation of beer

  • Balancing brews: Analysing how the moderation movement influences key categories
  • Conquering the health-conscious consumer market
  • Elevating drink-at-home experiences
  • Fresh avenues for staying informed for data-driven innovation

Speakers

Alessandra Fascetti
Group Innovation Lead Global Brands - Asahi Europe and International
Martin Stulrajter
Group Market & Category Insight Manager - Asahi Europe and International

5:15 PM

Drinks reception

7:30 PM

26th Anniversary After Party

Celebrate 26 years of the International Beer Strategies Conference by joining us for drinks, refreshments and an evening of networking.

Streams

Stream one

Stream A - NPD & Innovation in Beer

Stream two

Stream B - Marketing & Branding Strategy

12:15 PM

Beyond Brewing: Unforgettable Beer Brand Experiences

  • The business behind the brew
  • Memorable experiences that drive long-term customer loyalty
  • Expanding reach with tourist appeal in popular locations
  • Bubbling up interest: Digital presence and advertising campaigns

Speakers

Karen Hartley
CEO - Pilsner Urquell, The Original Experience Company

12:45 PM

Achieving carbon neutrality of your beer lines

  • Embedding ESG into in the heart of what we do
  • Pushing the TCO boundaries through innovation: Swing pasteurizer & Hydra ultrasonic bottle washer
  • Boosting your line performance while reducing resources and Opex

Speakers

Michael Kropp
Strategic Account Director - Sidel

1 PM

Networking lunch

2:10 PM

RTD SPOTLIGHT: Taking a leap in digital: Transforming your business’ marketing and commerce models

  • Major shifts in omni-channel vs traditional approaches
  • Optimising reach with direct-to-consumer platforms and third-party applications
  • Strategizing for the younger generation’s preferences for digital interaction
  • New approaches to experiential marketing, design, advertising, and sales materials
  • Exploring beyond your category’s roots to market with centralised teams

Speakers

Zelia Clare
Senior Director Global Digital Operations - Mark Anthony Brands

2:40 PM

Repositioning a historical beer brand for a modern market

  • The importance of authenticity and being true to who you are
  • Attracting new audiences by using heritage as a competitive advantage
  • Understanding consumer barriers and behaviours: Choosing where to play (and where to not)
  • Building a business case based on premiumisation and scaling up quickly

 

Speakers

Will Hemmings
Marketing Director - Greene King Brewing & Retailing
Alex Radcliffe
Head of Marketing & Digital - Greene King Brewing & Retailing

12 AM

Networking lunch

8:30 AM

Registration and refreshments

8:50 AM

Chair’s opening remarks

9 AM

Insights into cross-sector blurring in beer

  • Reflecting on early players to understand threats and wins
  • Diversifying channels, serving opportunities and consumer demographics
  • Stepping into new territories of wine, spirits, hard seltzers, and soft drinks
  • RTD across the board

Speakers

Lukas Neulen
Business Unit Director "House of Beer, Wine, Spirits & 3PP" - Feldschlösschen Getränke AG (Carlsberg Switzerland)

9:30 AM

Carrying more than bottles: How a beer crate can promote your sustainability strategy

  • Re-use to prevent waste
  • How to close the loop with recycled material
  • The (beer) crate as the messenger to your sustainable customer

Speakers

Britta Wyss Bisang
VP Sustainability and Strategic Marcom - Schoeller Allibert Services B.V

10 AM

Unbottling the Power of Sound

  • Why is sonic important?
  • Storytelling through sound in Beer
  • Modernising communication of historical values as an 800-year-old brand

 

     

Speakers

Lourenço Arriaga
Leffe Marketing Director - AB InBev

10:15 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

10:55 AM

Interactive roundtable discussions

Join us for a morning of interactive discussion and debate. This is your opportunity to select your area of interest and engage with fellow experts in the area.

Topics for discussion:

 

Topic 1 – What is the future flavour of beer?

  • Trends in reducing bitterness & increasing aroma
  • Customisable brews – are flavoured beers currently fulfilling their potential?

Paola Bassi, Marketing Director, Europe – Synergy Flavours

Matthew Hoyland, Process Development Chemist – Synergy Flavours

 

 

Topic 2 – Tech on tap: Driving efficiency in internal processes

Zelia Clare, Senior Director Global Digital Operations - Mark Anthony Brands

 

 

Topic 3 - Boosting Efficiency with Smart Sensors: Reducing Product Loss

  • Maximizing productivity with dielectric measurement capabilities
  • Introducing machine learning based process control
  • Innovating product changeover/pushout operations

Julia Vieira, Sales Manager - ColloidTek Oy

 

 

Topic 4 – Raise a glass to loyalty: Strategies for winning over cost-conscious consumers

   Rob Fink, Founder - Big Drop Brewing Co

 

Speakers

Paola Bassi
Marketing Director, Europe – Synergy Flavours
Matthew Hoyland
Process Development Chemist – Synergy Flavours
Zelia Clare
Senior Director Global Digital Operations - Mark Anthony Brands
Julia Vieira
Sales Manager - ColloidTek Oy
Rob Fink
Founder, Big Drop Brewing

12:15 PM

Overcoming NPD hurdles for international market launches

  • Understanding geographical variations in consumer responses to product descriptions and claims
  • Regulatory and legal barriers to launching products in different markets
  • Taking a holistic approach to balancing complexity and success in product portfolios

Speakers

Kath Dunbar
Global Director Science and Regulatory Affairs - AB InBev

12:45 PM

Brewery Decarbonisation: Provide keg line filling solutions for sustainable beer production

  • Innovation to reduce CO2 consumption
  • Water recovery system
  • Low steam consumption

Speakers

Manuela Audone
Global Sales Director – Co.Mac srl

2:10 PM

AI SPOTLIGHT: How will AI transform every aspect of the Beer industry

  • Using AI for new ingredients and recipes
  • Driving production and supply chain efficiencies
  • Marketing and retail use cases and innovations
  • AI prediction as a tool for consumer demand insight and trend analysis
  • Leaders and challengers in AI adoption

Speakers

David George
Director of Services, Thematic Research - GlobalData

2:40 PM

Threats, Challenges and Opportunities: Navigating the choppy waters of Brewing and Retailing

  • Riding the storm: Strategies for finding avenues of growth
  • Overcoming creativity hurdles amid rising costs
  • What lies ahead for the beer industry?
  • Addressing consumer spending pinches in the face of cost-of-living pressures

 

Speakers

John Gyngell
Founder, North Brewing

3:10 PM

Brand homes at the centre of global experiential strategies

  • How to apply consumer insights to increase engagement before, during and after the experience
  • Why connecting to local communities is so important
  • How to measure success and understand what’s working, while fixing what’s not
  • Lessons learned along the way

 

        

Speakers

Greg Klingaman
VP, Strategy & Field Operations EMEA - AnyRoad/ ex-Diageo
Donna Davidson
Executive Project Development Director - BRC Imagination Arts
Celine Vleer
Development & Innovation Manager - The Heineken Experience

3:40 PM

Engaging and enthusing consumers through communication

  • Beer education: Styles, facts and tasting notes
  • Enhancing consumption experiences with food pairings and glassware
  • Behind Beer Day Britain: The UK's national beer day on June 15th
  • Interactive workshop

Speakers

Jane Peyton
Founder and Principal - School of Booze

4:10 PM

Chair’s remarks and close of conference

Speakers

Kevin Baker
Head of Global Beer & Cider Research – GlobalData

2 PM

BREWERY TOUR at the Super Bock Beer Experience, Porto – 1st Tour – 2pm

Discover the impressive brewing processes behind Portugal’s leading beer brand.

 

    

    

4 PM

BREWERY TOUR at the Super Bock Beer Experience, Porto – 2nd Tour – 4pm

Discover the impressive brewing processes behind Portugal’s leading beer brand.

 

    

    

2024 Speakers

Select a speaker to learn more

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Rui Lopes Ferreira
CEO - Super Bock Group

CEO at Super Bock Group since 2015, Rui has joined the company in 2006 as CFO to later become Deputy CEO (2013).

With a 20-year long career in the banking industry (Banco BPI), he has background and experience in several areas, namely corporate finance, corporate banking, and private equity.

On top of his degree in Economics at FEP - Faculdade de Economia do Porto, Rui Lopes Ferreira has top management training at INSEAD (Advanced Management Program) and Harvard Business School (Senior Executive Leadership Program).

Holding relevant roles in various institutions in the region, namely being member of the Supervisory Board at Porto Business School and APGEI – Associação Portuguesa de Gestão e Engenharia Industrial.

Rui was Chairman of Cervejeiros de Portugal during the period of 2015 to 2018 has been recently reappointed as its Chairman (2023).

Session Details:

OPENING KEYNOTE: The brand behind the beer

2024-05-15, 9:00 AM

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Alessandra Fascetti
Group Innovation Lead Global Brands - Asahi Europe and International

Session Details:

Global insights into consumer behaviour: Tailoring strategies for the next generation of beer

2024-05-15, 4:45 PM

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Benet Fité
Managing Director of Quality, R&D+I and Environment - Mahou San Miguel

Benet has been Quality, R&D+i and Environment Director at Mahou San Miguel since 2016. Prior to this, he was Assistant Director of the same area. And from 2017 to 2021, he also held the position of Managing Director of the New Business Unit.

 

He graduated in Chemical Engineering from the Chemical Institute of Sarrià (IQS), with a specialisation in Organic Chemistry, and holds an MBA from EADA Business School and holds a Master in Brewing Technology from ESCEMA/UPM and ADECA at San Telmo BS in Sevilla He is currently the President of EBC (European Brewery Convention).

 

Benet has been part of the Mahou San Miguel team since 1997, when he joined as an Assistant in the Quality Division and Head of Projects.

Session Details:

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Panel: Embracing new solutions for sustainability in the beer industry

2024-05-15, 9:30 AM

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Kath Dunbar
Global Director Science and Regulatory Affairs - AB InBev

Whilst studying Food Science at Reading University I developed a strong interest in Food Law. Following a brief spell in production management I trained as a Trading Standards Officer. I acted as lead food standards officer in a number of enforcement positions within the UK, also advising national and regional professional groups and working with the Food Standards Agency on risk assessment and food authenticity.

Building on my experience of advising food businesses on compliance, I moved to Leatherhead Food International to lead their regulatory group. Stepping then directly into the food industry I worked as Global Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for Mars Drinks, before moving to a different drinks area with SABMiller plc, subsequently joining ABInBEV. As Global SRA Director I hold a strategic role as part of our Global Innovation Technical Centre, bringing together technical and legal communities to enable consumer centric innovations across our whole portfolio.

Session Details:

Overcoming NPD hurdles for international market launches

2024-05-16, 12:15 PM

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Lukas Neulen
Business Unit Director "House of Beer, Wine, Spirits & 3PP" - Feldschlösschen Getränke AG (Carlsberg Switzerland)

Lukas is an experienced beverage industry professional with a strong commercial track record in both scaling up and optimizing businesses. In his 15-year career within the Spirits, Wine & Beer industry he has proven his leadership by outperforming targets in various full lifecycle solutions in a several local and international projects.

In his current role his team is tasked to drive & increase the relevance of Feldschlösschen as the #1 in the Swiss beer market across a variety of adjacent categories like Wine & Spirits.

Session Details:

Panel: Exploring on-trade and off-trade dynamics on a global scale

2024-05-15, 4:00 PM

Session Details:

Insights into cross-sector blurring in beer

2024-05-16, 9:00 AM

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Jan Niewodniczanski
Managing Director and Owner - Bitburger Braugruppe

Jan Niewodniczanski studied brewing engineering at the TU Munich/Weihenstephan and later went on to complete his MBA studies at the Graduate School of Business at Cape Town University. He then worked at Spaten Franziskaner and gained international experience with Anheuser Busch USA and San Miguel Breweries in the Philippines and in China. From 1995 until 2006 he worked in different leading positions at South African Breweries SAB Ltd in South Africa.

Since October 2006 he has been back in the family business and in management where he represents the 7th generation of family shareholders. His role: Managing Director Engineering and Environment at Bitburger Braugruppe GmbH.

Session Details:

Panel: Exploring on-trade and off-trade dynamics on a global scale

2024-05-15, 4:00 PM

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Karen Hartley
CEO - Pilsner Urquell, The Original Experience Company

Session Details:

Beyond Brewing: Unforgettable Beer Brand Experiences

2024-05-16, 12:15 PM

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Renata Pankova
Global Commercial Director International Markets - Budweiser Budvar

With over 22 years of experience in the global beer industry, I am a seasoned and passionate leader who drives growth, innovation, and excellence. My core competencies include identifying new opportunities, sales and marketing, business development, and strategy. As the Global Sales Director and Board Member at Budweiser Budvar, I am responsible for expanding and developing the activities of the Czech national brewer beyond its country of origin, while staying true to its heritage, quality, and authenticity.

In my current role, I lead a step change in the export business, overseeing a network of over 80 markets and managing a team of 100 people. I have a strong track record of delivering results, achieving double-digit growth in volume and revenue, securing global contracts and partnerships, launching and developing new products and brands. I also leverage my legal and international business background to navigate complex regulatory and trade environments, and to build trust and rapport with diverse stakeholders. I am always eager to learn, grow, and challenge myself, and to share my insights and expertise with others.

Session Details:

Scaling up your export business model

2024-05-15, 12:15 PM

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Juan Gonzalez
International Business Unit Director - Damm

Session Details:

Premiumisation across beer: Seizing opportunities for the long term

2024-05-15, 1:45 PM

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Lourenço Arriaga
Leffe Marketing Director - AB InBev

With a 12-year career in beer, Lourenço has been the European Marketing Director for Leffe, Europe’s biggest specialty brand, for the last 3 years. He’s been at AB InBev for the last 6 years, across multiple marketing roles.

 

Before that, Lourenço spent almost 6 years at Super Bock, in multiple brand management roles. He led brand development for Super Bock in multiple international markets, more notably in China, where the brand found huge success in the Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.

 

He holds a Business Management degree from Kingston University in London, and worked in several other industries, including cars and telecoms, before entering the beer industry.

Session Details:

Unbottling the Power of Sound

2024-05-16, 10:00 AM

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Zelia Clare
Senior Director Global Digital Operations - Mark Anthony Brands

Session Details:

Interactive roundtable discussions

2024-05-16, 10:55 AM

Session Details:

RTD SPOTLIGHT: Taking a leap in digital: Transforming your business’ marketing and commerce models

2024-05-16, 2:10 PM

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Eric Ottaway
CEO, Brooklyn Brewery

Session Details:

Changing Consumer Concerns: Addressing Sustainability, Food Waste, and Health & Wellness

2024-05-15, 2:45 PM

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Will Hemmings
Marketing Director - Greene King Brewing & Retailing

Session Details:

Repositioning a historical beer brand for a modern market

2024-05-16, 2:40 PM

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Antoni Folguera Ventura
Off-Trade Business Unit Director – Damm

Experienced Managing Director with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverages industry at International level. Skilled in Marketing Management, Negotiation, Business Planning, Advertising, Sales and overall Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Strong business development professional graduated from ESADE with enhanced education from other prestigious institutions.

Session Details:

INVESTMENT SPOTLIGHT: Fireside chat: Evolving approaches to raising investment and fighting for commercial space as a beer brand

2024-05-15, 11:15 AM

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Celine Vleer
Development & Innovation Manager - The Heineken Experience

Celine Vleer is a creative, visionary thinker with a passion for design and innovation. She played a crucial role in shaping the former Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam from a low-key visitor centre to the world-renowned Heineken Experience it is today.

With her love for storytelling and her ability to connect with consumers from all over the world ensure that each visitor leaves with fond memories and a deeper appreciation for the art of brewing. She has been with Heineken for over 15 years and had several brand design/brand building roles within the company.

Celine holds a bachelor in creative business from the University of Applied science in Amsterdam. She has served Heineken in both Amsterdam and in Singapore.

Session Details:

Brand homes at the centre of global experiential strategies

2024-05-16, 3:10 PM

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Christopher Granville
Managing Director, Global Political & Policy Research, GlobalData.TS Lombard

Christopher was a co-founder of what became the Emerging Markets unit of the macro research firm TS Lombard, which in 2022 was acquired by GlobalData. His EM experience was forged in Russia, where, from the 1990s onwards, he was a British diplomat and then an analyst working in Moscow-based investment banks. His banking experience combined work both for financial investors – earning him top rankings in broker surveys – and strategic investors, including advisory work on the acquisition of Russian beer brands by international strategic investors. At TS Lombard, Christopher has integrated broad geopolitical risk analysis into the firm’s macroeconomic and market strategy research.

 

He is a regular commentator on political drivers for economies and financial markets in broadcast media and leading op-ed columns. He graduated from Oxford University, where he was also a Fellow of All Souls College.

Session Details:

As the global economy enters a new era, understanding the ‘macro’ drivers of consumer spending trends

2024-05-15, 2:45 PM

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Martin Stulrajter
Group Market & Category Insight Manager - Asahi Europe and International

An Insights for business impact enthusiast with 20+ years professional experience on both research agency and commercial business side, skilled in consolidation of qualitative and quantitative market research and other sources of business-relevant information into knowledge driving strategic decisions, strategic frameworks development, and business planning processes – with a forward looking mindset and of collaborative nature.

Session Details:

Global insights into consumer behaviour: Tailoring strategies for the next generation of beer

2024-05-15, 4:45 PM

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Marius Horbačauskas
CEO, Volfas Engelman

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER / GENERAL MANAGER / MANAGING DIRECTOR / BUSINESS DEVELOPER

Highly accomplished and ambitious senior executive with more than 10 years of leadership experience in business development, sales and marketing, operations management, turnarounds and structural changes with successful work in turbulent local and international environment, mostly in highly competitive FMCG sector. Successful in management of large organizations, recruiting best people and building winning teams. Innate ability to motivate people for ambitious targets. Demonstrated expertise within 3 Baltic and nearby markets, utilizing deep knowledge of both employees and consumers habits and mentality. Understands Western business challenges while entering former USSR countries.

Session Details:

Panel: Exploring on-trade and off-trade dynamics on a global scale

2024-05-15, 4:00 PM

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Rob Fink
Founder, Big Drop Brewing

In 2016 Rob Fink founded the world’s first company to focus entirely on brewing Non-Alcoholic craft beer – Big Drop Brewing Co. As a lawyer with zero brewing experience, he teamed-up with an experimental brewer (Johnny Clayton from Wild Beer) and applied left-field fermenting techniques that meant no alcohol needed to be extracted from the end product to meet the required maximum 0.5% ABV. Less than 4 years later he is selling over 1 million bottles of 0.5% ABV beer annually around the world (eg Tesco in the UK, LCBO in Canada, Systembolaget in Sweden, Alco in Finland, NTUC Finest in Singapore etc). His beers have picked up 26 major international beer awards including twice being judged the ‘World’s Best’ at the World Beer Awards, Gold at the US Open Beer Championship and, the ‘Holy Grail’ of any non-alcoholic drink, winning medals against full-strength rivals in blind tastings. In 2019 Rob was a keynote at the Brewers of Europe Forum and the International Beer Strategies conference.

Session Details:

INVESTMENT SPOTLIGHT: Fireside chat: Evolving approaches to raising investment and fighting for commercial space as a beer brand

2024-05-15, 11:15 AM

Session Details:

Interactive roundtable discussions

2024-05-16, 10:55 AM

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Júlía Eyfjörð Jónsdóttir
CTO - Ölgerðin, Iceland

Julia is the CTO of Ölgerðin since 2022. She started her career at Ölgerðin following the completion of her degree in engineering in 2017. She has worked in production, process improvement, information technology, and served as the leader of Ölgerðin´s digital development.

Session Details:

All that glitters is not gold LITE: A case study on the ascension of Iceland’s biggest beer

2024-05-15, 12:15 PM

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Jane Peyton
Founder and Principal - School of Booze

Jane Peyton is an alcoholic drinks expert, writer, broadcaster, entrepreneur, and public speaker. She is the founder of the School of Booze consultancy. Jane was the UK’s first accredited cider sommelier, Britain's first Beer Sommelier of the Year, and is a former Drinks Educator of the Year. She is the author of several non-fiction books including ,  ‘The Philosophy of Beer’, ‘Drink:  A Tippler’s Miscellany’, ‘The Philosophy of Cocktails’.

Session Details:

Engaging and enthusing consumers through communication

2024-05-16, 3:40 PM

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Alex Radcliffe
Head of Marketing & Digital - Greene King Brewing & Retailing

A fully-rounded marketing leader with 12 years’ experience at top marketing-led organisations, such as Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble, that encompasses all key elements of the Marketing mix. Practised in leading agencies to execute £10m+ Through the Line campaigns, successful in executing Revenue Growth Management programmes on a £400m+ turnover business, and proficient in steering senior stakeholders towards a common vision. Now driving significant change at the UK’s largest independent brewery, Greene King.

Session Details:

Repositioning a historical beer brand for a modern market

2024-05-16, 2:40 PM

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Andy Hepworth
Chairman and Founder - Hepworth Brewery

Having studied microbiology at Reading University I joined Courage, Barcley, Simmonds at their Reading Brewery in 1975. In 1980 I moved to a regional brewery in Horsham Sussex, King and Barnes, and was promoted to Head Brewer in 1985. That brewery was taken over in 2000 and closed. As we had a successful production team which had won on 20 major prizes, including the overall Champion of the Great British Beer Festival and voted as one of the top ten breweries in the world, four of us set up out own brewery largely brewing and packaging beer for other brewers.

In 2016 we completed a ground up build of a new site implementing a lot of the carbon reduction actions that are now seen as vital.

Session Details:

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Panel: Embracing new solutions for sustainability in the beer industry

2024-05-15, 9:30 AM

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John Gyngell
Founder, North Brewing

As the co-founder of both North Brewing Co. and North Bar, John has played a pivotal role in redefining the craft beer landscape in the United Kingdom.

 

From the humble beginnings of North Bar in Leeds - the UK’s original craft beer bar to becoming a driving force in the craft beer revolution with North Brewing.

 

North now operate 10 bars around the UK, and a first franchise bar in Treviso, Italy. This level of commercial and critical progress is both relentless and organic. Bringing their Beer and Bao experience to the rest of the UK is their next mission.

 

His journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, dedication, and a knack for creating spaces where people can gather to savour unique brews and engage in meaningful conversations.

 

North Brewing currently brews over 5 million pints a year. The brewery supplies all of the major UK Supermarkets, exports to over 27 countries around the world and supplies the likes of Wagamama, Rudy's, Bill’s, Gusto and Dishoom nationally.

 

Their new home, Springwell, is a 21,000 square foot former Victorian Tannery which North converted into a modern brewery and 700 capacity taproom, carefully restoring the building, being mindful of its heritage and creating an incredible workspace and bar.

 

Constantly evolving and energised by an incredible team, John continues to be an important voice in both Hospitality and the Brewing community in the UK and further afield.

Session Details:

Threats, Challenges and Opportunities: Navigating the choppy waters of Brewing and Retailing

2024-05-16, 2:40 PM

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Hafsteinn Snæland
Head of Brewery Operations - Ölgerðin, Iceland

Hafsteinn is a chef by trade with over 15 years of managerial experience in the restaurant and beverage business in Iceland, Norway, and Denmark. Currently working as Head of Operations for the Brewery of Ölgerðin, Iceland’s biggest food and beverage company. He is also a certified Beer Sommelier with countless appearances speaking about all things beer.

Session Details:

All that glitters is not gold LITE: A case study on the ascension of Iceland’s biggest beer

2024-05-15, 12:15 PM

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Chris Hannaway
Co-Founder - Infinite Session

Brothers Tom & Chris Hannaway founded Infinite Session, an alcohol-free beer brand, in London in 2017. As alcohol drinkers, they were looking for lower-strength beer options that actually tasted like beer they found in their favourite pubs and bars in East London.

Since launching, Infinite Session has sold millions of cans of their flagship IPA beer, in many countries around the world, and won several awards, including in alcoholic beer categories, with their core team of two.  Infinite Session has recently launched Brisk, a low calorie & 3.3% ABV Light Lager brand.

Session Details:

Fireside Chat: Mapping out the growth of No & Low beverages

2024-05-15, 1:45 PM

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Henrik Kihlberg
CEO, Nils Oscar

Experienced Sales and business development manager in technology-oriented companies with ambition to grow and change . I see the big picture, and focus on the parts that are most important for achieving results. I do well when it comes to keeping employees motivated. My strength lies particularly in getting an organization to developed their offering and align sales and marketing.

Session Details:

Unlocking fresh avenues for No & Low growth

2024-05-15, 11:15 AM

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Filipe Macieira
Co-Founder – LETRA

Session Details:

Panel: Exploring on-trade and off-trade dynamics on a global scale

2024-05-15, 4:00 PM

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Tom Hannaway
Co-Founder - Infinite Session

Brothers Tom & Chris Hannaway founded Infinite Session, an alcohol-free beer brand, in London in 2017. As alcohol drinkers, they were looking for lower-strength beer options that actually tasted like beer they found in their favourite pubs and bars in East London.

Since launching, Infinite Session has sold millions of cans of their flagship IPA beer, in many countries around the world, and won several awards, including in alcoholic beer categories, with their core team of two.  Infinite Session has recently launched Brisk, a low calorie & 3.3% ABV Light Lager brand.

Session Details:

Fireside Chat: Mapping out the growth of No & Low beverages

2024-05-15, 1:45 PM

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Peter Oldacre
Chief Commercial Officer - Protium

Peter is The Chief Commercial Officer for Protium Green Solutions Ltd, the London based Green hydrogen solutions provider.

After spending a decade as a hedge fund manager in the early 2000s, Peter moved into renewable energy project development and investment management, and across the next 15 years focused on concluding the development & commissioning of more than 1,000 MW portfolio of wind & solar and battery system investments. Initially working for Deloitte, and then for a project developer owned by the Californian Teachers Pension Fund. Since early 2023 Peter has lead the Protium team in terms of commercializing the hydrogen production facility development process, and is speaking today to share the lessons learned from a specific customer that in his mind are important for the brewing sector to incorporate into their energy transition and decarbonization journey.

Peter is Professionally qualified in the private equity environment and holds a Charter to the Association of Alternative Investment Analyst, is a Financial Modelling and Valuations Analyst and is a Fellow of the SA Institute for Financial Markets. Peter has degrees in science, post graduate in Organizational decision-making and holds an MBA from Henley Business School.

Session Details:

Lessons learned in developing a green hydrogen production facility to provide a source of de-carbonised energy

2024-05-15, 2:15 PM

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Manuela Audone
Global Sales Director – Co.Mac srl

Division Director and Managing Director experience with more than 25 years in multinational company. Proven track record of, Commercial, Sales Business Development and Strategic Management skills with strong leadership focusing and acting to develop and coordinate the overall business and strategy according to the Corporate Strategic Directives. Growth and entrepreneur mindset, strong leadership focused on communication, team building and consolidating customers relationship. Ability to work in a Complex Matrix Organisation.

Session Details:

Brewery Decarbonisation: Provide keg line filling solutions for sustainable beer production

2024-05-16, 12:45 PM

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Greg Klingaman
VP, Strategy & Field Operations EMEA - AnyRoad/ ex-Diageo

Greg Klingaman is a retail and consumer sector executive with over 20 years’ experience leading business transformations and creating experiential destinations for major brands including Johnnie Walker, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and The Home Depot. Based in Amsterdam, he is currently VP, Strategy and Field Operations EMEA for AnyRoad, the leading experiential marketing platform. At AnyRoad he is responsible for leading their international expansion, overseeing EMEA business operations, and helping alcohol and CPG brands to optimise their experiential investments.

In his previous role as Global Retail Director at Diageo, he architected and led Diageo’s £185M investment in Scotch whisky brand experiences, headlined by the September 2021 opening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Session Details:

Brand homes at the centre of global experiential strategies

2024-05-16, 3:10 PM

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Michael Kropp
Strategic Account Director - Sidel

Session Details:

Achieving carbon neutrality of your beer lines

2024-05-16, 12:45 PM

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Paola Bassi
Marketing Director, Europe – Synergy Flavours

Italian born, Paola is fascinated by the variety of Italian regional cuisine, enjoys cooking for family and friends and is passionate about nutrition and healthy living. She loves travelling and hiking with her family and their chocolate Labrador.

Now European Marketing Director for Synergy Flavours, Paola started her FMCG marketing career in Italy with Nestlé. She then moved to the UK with McCormick where she has held both local and central organisation marketing roles.

Paola also set up her own management consulting company and has worked for some time with SMEs and charities on strategic growth road maps, brand positioning, communication, change management and team reorganisation and development.

Paola graduated from Universita’ di Genova and holds a Master degree in Business Administration and a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directoes (IoD).

Session Details:

Interactive roundtable discussions

2024-05-16, 10:55 AM

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Matthew Hoyland
Process Development Chemist – Synergy Flavours

Matt has a strong passion for all things flavour. He studied Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Nottingham and later went on to complete management studies at the Irish Management Institute. He started his career as a research scientist, before progressing through the R&D functions into the role he has today.

Matt spends his free time hiking, running, or cooking. He has a love for the fermentation of foods, developing home-made kombuchas and freshly baked sourdough loaves as a hobby. He loves to travel, and has held various global roles within Synergy, working with the dairy portfolio in Ireland and the coffee, tea, and hops portfolio in the United States.

In 2023 he relocated with his partner to Trieste, Italy, where he leads the natural extract design and manufacturing technologies platform for Synergy Flavours Europe.

Session Details:

Interactive roundtable discussions

2024-05-16, 10:55 AM

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Bineke Posthumus
Director of Business Development - Avantium Renewable Polymers

Bineke Posthumus is Director Business Development at the Renewable Polymers department of Avantium. She holds the global responsibility for commercialization of Avantium’s lead plant-based products FDCA and PEF for the materials and packaging industry. Before joining Avantium Bineke worked as a senior business consultant for almost 10 years at TNO, the leading Dutch research Institute. Bineke hails a master’s in strategic management from the London School of Economics where she graduated in 2007.

Session Details:

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Panel: Embracing new solutions for sustainability in the beer industry

2024-05-15, 9:30 AM

Session Details:

Packaging solutions beyond glass and aluminium: Sustainable and functional alternative for the consumers of tomorrow

2024-05-15, 4:30 PM

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Sören Storbeck
Product Manager, Packaging Division - KHS GmbH
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Donna Davidson
Executive Project Development Director - BRC Imagination Arts

Donna Davidson is a master at building and nurturing creative partnerships. With over 25 years of experience developing successful and award-winning brand destinations and cultural attractions, she has an in-depth understanding of the process and necessary relationships to produce an on-schedule and on-budget opening and an enduring, profitable operation.

Based in the United Kingdom, Donna excels at studying the unique blend of culture, people, location, and theme of a project and then assembling a strong team of professionals to execute it. Some of her most notable clients and projects include Guinness Storehouse, Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience, Jameson Distillery Bow St., Johnnie Walker Princes Street, The Heineken Experience, Tusker EABL, Glenkinchie Distillery, Guinness Open Gate Brewery, and Clynelish Distillery.

Donna holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has served BRC both in the U.K. and Burbank, California offices.

Session Details:

Brand homes at the centre of global experiential strategies

2024-05-16, 3:10 PM

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Britta Wyss Bisang
VP Sustainability and Strategic Marcom - Schoeller Allibert Services B.V

Session Details:

Carrying more than bottles: How a beer crate can promote your sustainability strategy

2024-05-16, 9:30 AM

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Stefano Pagaria
Sensory Project Manager – Vinhood

Session Details:

The right beer for the right consumer: Delving deep into vegetarians’ taste trends

2024-05-15, 3:45 PM

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Julia Vieira
Sales Manager - ColloidTek Oy

Chemical engineer, with over 8 years of experience in laboratory and R&D activities, including laboratory management and quality control at brewing industry. Sales manager at ColloidTek.

Session Details:

Interactive roundtable discussions

2024-05-16, 10:55 AM

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Christoph Hiesgen
Senior Manager Growth & Sales - E.ON

In terms of qualifications, Mr. Christoph Hiesgen is a graduate engineer in energy and environmental technologies.

Mr. Hiesgen has been employed by E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions since beginning of 2013. He has been active in the energy services business after his university graduation since 1997 and had different leadership roles in Sales being responsible in particular for the business development in different energy intense industrial segments.

Session Details:

The road to decarbonization for breweries: Real world examples from E.ON

2024-05-15, 11:45 AM

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David George
Director of Services, Thematic Research - GlobalData

David George is an experienced and a highly rated equity analyst from the investment banking sector. He has studied the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector for over 25 years, having worked in both Europe and Asia. David is a director in GlobalData’s Thematic Intelligence ecosystem, a single integrated platform for looking at all themes impacting all companies across all sectors. He also plays a lead role in in the delivery of custom research and advisory work and is regularly invited to speak at conferences on issues across the technology and digital industries.

Session Details:

AI SPOTLIGHT: How will AI transform every aspect of the Beer industry

2024-05-16, 2:10 PM

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Kevin Baker
Head of Global Beer & Cider Research – GlobalData

Session Details:

Panel: Exploring on-trade and off-trade dynamics on a global scale

2024-05-15, 4:00 PM

Session Details:

Chair’s opening remarks

2024-05-15, 8:45 AM

Session Details:

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Panel: Embracing new solutions for sustainability in the beer industry

2024-05-15, 9:30 AM

Session Details:

Assessing global data-driven trends in the beer industry

2024-05-15, 10:00 AM

Session Details:

INVESTMENT SPOTLIGHT: Fireside chat: Evolving approaches to raising investment and fighting for commercial space as a beer brand

2024-05-15, 11:15 AM

Session Details:

Chair’s remarks and close of conference

2024-05-16, 4:10 PM

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Nehna Rauf
Director, Global Consulting Practice – GlobalData

Nehna has 16 years of global experience in consulting and market research.  Having successfully executed for the world’s largest FMCG companies in over 30 countries.  Nehna has successfully partnered with Dairy Brands and Export Agencies on Foreign Market Attractiveness Models, Functional Ingredients and Building Go to Market Strategies, among other things.

Nehna has a BS in Foreign languages and a MA in Finance.

Prior to GlobalData, she led large scale consulting engagements at Euromonitor, Technomic and Advantage International as well as worked as an independent strategy consultant.

Session Details:

Fireside Chat: Mapping out the growth of No & Low beverages

2024-05-15, 1:45 PM

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