Eleventh Annual Ohio Craft Brewers Conference Returns to Dayton

The craft beer industry is constantly evolving, and events like the Ohio Craft Brewers Conference help ensure brewers and industry professionals stay ahead of the curve. This year marks the 11th annual conference, and brewing professionals from across Ohio and around the country will gather March 23–25 at the Dayton Convention Center to share knowledge, network, and explore the future of craft beer.

Organized by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, the conference continues to grow as one of the Midwest’s most important industry events. With more than 30 educational seminars and panel discussions, attendees will dive into a wide range of topics impacting the brewing world today.

A Conference Focused on the Future of Craft Beer

The Ohio craft beer scene has experienced tremendous growth over the last decade. What started as a niche movement has now become a major part of the state’s beverage landscape. According to the association, Ohio is home to more than 426 independent craft breweries, and events like this help ensure those breweries have the resources and insights they need to thrive.

The conference agenda reflects the diverse challenges and opportunities facing breweries today. Educational tracks will cover topics such as:

• Technical brewing practices

• Beer sales and marketing strategies

• Business administration for brewery operations

• Brewery fundamentals for those newer to the industry

Whether someone works on the production side of brewing or focuses on the business side, the conference provides a space to learn from peers and industry leaders.

Keynote Speakers Bringing Big Ideas

A highlight of the event each year is the keynote presentations, and the 2026 conference will feature two speakers bringing unique perspectives to the craft beverage world.

On Tuesday, March 24, Chris Dimmick will deliver the opening keynote. Dimmick is part of The Idea Collective, the team behind well-known establishments such as Sueño, Tender Mercy, and Three Birds.

His talk will focus on something that breweries are increasingly realizing is just as important as the beer itself: hospitality and customer experience. As competition increases and consumer habits change, the ability to create memorable experiences around craft beer has become essential.

The second keynote, scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, will feature David Nilsen and Melinda Guerra, the voices behind Final Gravity. Their presentation will explore the power of storytelling in the brewing industry—specifically how breweries can better share the human stories behind their beers and connect with drinkers on a deeper level.

Navigating Today’s Brewing Challenges

As the craft beer landscape continues to mature, breweries are facing new challenges—from shifting consumer preferences to increasing competition across the beverage industry.

Executive Director Mary MacDonald noted that success today requires much more than brewing great beer.

“Craft beer has gone from niche market to mainstream product over the course of the past decade,” MacDonald explained. “It takes more than just great beer to succeed as a brewery now.”

Because of this, the conference’s seminars and speakers were selected specifically to help breweries navigate these industry headwinds while continuing to innovate and grow.

Trade Show and Networking Opportunities

In addition to the educational sessions, the conference will also feature a trade show with more than 80 exhibiting businesses. These companies provide products and services that support breweries—from brewing equipment and ingredients to packaging solutions and marketing services.

For brewery owners, brewers, and other professionals attending the event, the trade show is a valuable opportunity to explore new technologies and connect with partners that help keep breweries running efficiently.

Organizers expect more than 500 industry professionals to attend the event, despite the conference originally being postponed due to a late-January snowstorm. The rescheduled dates still promise a packed few days filled with learning, networking, and collaboration.

Strengthening Ohio’s Craft Beer Community

Since its founding in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association has worked to promote and unify the state’s craft beer industry. The organization advocates for brewers at the state level, helps promote responsible enjoyment of craft beer, and supports economic development through the growth of local breweries.

Events like the Ohio Craft Brewers Conference play an important role in bringing that community together. They provide a platform for brewers, suppliers, marketers, and media to collaborate and share ideas that can shape the future of craft beer across the state and beyond.

For anyone involved in the brewing industry—or looking to get involved—it’s an event that highlights just how vibrant and innovative Ohio’s craft beer scene continues to be.