CiderCon® 2027: Expanding Opportunity While Keeping Cider at the Center

CiderCon® has always been more than a conference.

It is where our industry reconnects. Where new ideas are shared. Where collaborations begin. Where we celebrate cider and the people behind it.

That is exactly why this next announcement matters so much.

Today, we are excited to announce that CiderCon® 2027 will take place in San Antonio, TX from April 5-7, co-located and in partnership with the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC).

We know this represents a major shift from the stand-alone CiderCon® model our community has built together over many years. We also know that many members care deeply about preserving cider’s independence, identity, and dedicated community space within the broader beverage alcohol industry.

We share those feelings.

At the same time, we believe it is important to be transparent about the realities facing both the cider industry and the association itself. The economics of hosting a fully stand-alone national conference have changed dramatically in recent years, and like many organizations, the ACA has had to carefully evaluate how to continue delivering meaningful programming in a financially sustainable way.

We believe this format will create many new and exciting opportunities. It provides access to a much larger trade show, expanded educational and business resources, and a broader network of buyers, distributors, and industry partners, all at a lower ticket cost.

Our goal is to strike the right balance: keeping cider distinct and central while expanding opportunities for growth and connection.

We’ll continue to share updates as planning progresses and gather member feedback as we shape the future of CiderCon® together. In the meantime, we’ve included answers to some of the questions you may have below.

Why are we making this change?

Over the last several years, the economics of hosting a fully stand-alone national conference have changed significantly.

Like many industry organizations, the ACA has experienced:

• Rising venue, labor, food, and travel costs
• Changes in trade show participation and exhibitor expectations
• Increased operational complexity
• Greater financial risk tied to hosting large-scale events independently

At the same time, member expectations for affordability, educational value, networking opportunities, and overall return on investment continue to evolve.

Through direct feedback, surveys, and conversations with members, we consistently heard requests for:

• More affordable and accessible event experiences
• Warmer and easier-to-travel locations
• Expanded technical educational opportunities
• Increased access to suppliers, buyers, and industry partners
• Hosting CiderCon® later in the year so as not to compete with other February industry events

As we evaluated the future of CiderCon®, it became increasingly clear that maintaining the current stand-alone structure indefinitely would place significant strain on the association and limit our ability to evolve alongside member needs.

One thing we knew we did not want to do was lose momentum by stepping away from a national gathering altogether. This model allows us to continue bringing the industry together, maintain important conversations and connections, and create space to reimagine the future of CiderCon® as the industry and association evolve.

Will cider still be the focus of CiderCon®?

Absolutely. We cannot stress this enough. Maintaining a distinct cider identity is our top priority.

CiderCon® 2027 will remain cider-focused and community-driven by:

• Continuing cornerstone cider-focused experiences like CiderShare, tasting sessions, the Certified Pommelier™ pinning ceremony, and cider awards
• Maintaining cider-specific technical education sessions
• Preserving informal networking and community connections like LobbyCon and building out cider-focused community spaces  
• Ensuring a strong and visible cider presence and branding throughout the event

We are intentionally designing the event to ensure cider remains clearly represented and central throughout the experience.

What are the benefits of this new format?

This model creates new opportunities for attendees, including:

• Access to a significantly larger trade show and a diversity of vendors
• Exposure to a broader network of buyers, distributors, and suppliers
• Expanded educational sessions and industry insights
• Greater visibility for cider within the broader beverage landscape
• A less expensive overall experience, making more opportunities for members to participate
• A warmer, travel-friendly location, responding directly to member feedback

Is this a permanent change?

This is the model we are pursuing for CiderCon® 2027. We will carefully evaluate its effectiveness, continue gathering member feedback, and use what we learn to help shape future event models.

The reality is that, like the ACA, CiderCon® must continue evolving.

This partnership gives the ACA the opportunity to explore a more sustainable path forward while remaining flexible and responsive to member needs and industry realities.

Will cider still feel visible and distinct within CBC?

Yes. One of ACA’s top priorities in building this partnership has been to ensure that cider remains clearly defined and highly visible within the overall event experience.

CiderCon® 2027 will include:

• Dedicated cider education tracks
• Cider-specific gathering spaces and a CiderCon® branded area within the large trade show expo space
• Signature events centered entirely around cider, like Cider Share and cider awards
• CiderCon® signage and branding throughout the event, on the website, and on the event app. 

This is a partnership with the Brewers Association, not a blending of categories. CiderCon® programming will remain cider-focused, while also creating opportunities for meaningful connection with the broader CBC audience at intersections within their programming. There is much to learn from each other. 

Will technical cider education remain a priority?

Absolutely!

CiderCon® 2027 will continue to feature cider-focused educational programming, including technical cider production content, orchard and apple-focused sessions, tasting panels, sensory education, and business-focused discussions relevant to cider producers.

At the same time, attendees will have the opportunity to access additional educational programming through the CBC program, covering hospitality, marketing, taproom management, leadership, and business development.

Our goal is to preserve the depth of cider-specific expertise members expect while expanding access to additional professional development opportunities.

Will this CiderCon® be more affordable or accessible?

One of the goals of this model is to create a more accessible event experience for our members.

We have consistently received feedback requesting more affordable registration options, warmer, easier-to-travel destinations, and greater value for attendees. While travel costs will vary depending on location and individual circumstances, partnering with CBC allows the ACA to reduce some of the financial pressures associated with independently producing a national conference at our previous scale. This includes reduced registration costs and expanded hotel options. 

I want to submit a session proposal. When will that open?

We’re excited to continue featuring new voices, research, and ideas at CiderCon® 2027!

While some marketing, business development, and broader industry topics will be developed collaboratively with CBC, the ACA will continue to lead the cider-specific educational programming, including technical cidermaking, orcharding, and flavor and terroir tasting sessions.

In partnership with the Brewers Association, we expect to release our call for session proposals and research posters by the end of the summer. Once details and deadlines are finalized, we will share them through the ACA e-newsletter, website, and social media channels.

We look forward to hearing your ideas and welcoming a wide range of perspectives and expertise to the CiderCon® 2027 program.

Looking Ahead

We know this change will bring excitement for some members and uncertainty for others. Both reactions are valid.

But throughout this process, our goal has remained the same: To protect and strengthen the future of cider. That means building an association that is financially sustainable, operationally resilient, and capable of continuing to support this industry for years to come.

We believe this partnership creates new opportunities for connection, visibility, education, and growth while preserving the cider community that makes CiderCon® special in the first place.

And we will continue listening as we shape what comes next together.

We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio in April 2027!