FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
Safe. smart. sustainable.

When is it being held?

This year's conference begins at 2pm on Sunday 26 March 2023.

Registration opens at 1.30pm on Sunday 26 March 2023

Our NEW Masterclasses start at 2.05pm on Sunday 26 March 2023

Our NEW Trade Show begins at 2.00pm on Sunday 26 March 2023

Welcome drinks begin at 5.00pm on Sunday 26 March 2023

The Conference will be held from 8.30am Monday 27 March 2023

Gala Dinner will be from 7.00pm Monday 27 March 2023

Regional tours begin approx. 8.30am Tuesday 28 March 2023

Is it too late to register for the 2023 Conference?

Yes!

We are we are now sold out of tickets for the 2023 Annual conference, with 525 delegates, partners and sponsors.

 

Do I have to be a member of the Australian Distillers Association to come to the conference?

No. The conference is open to all commercial Australian Distillers and the associated supply chain. The conference is an industry event and focused for people that work in or have an interest in the spirits industry. It is not a consumer or public facing event. However, if you are interested in joining the industry, and want to meet some like minded people, it is the perfect opportunity to meet others at a friendly and open event. There are tiered prices. Members of the Australian Distillers receive a significant discount – so if you are not a member, there has never been a better time to join. Click here to find out some of the benefits of membership.

 

Where will the conference be held?

Sunday 26 March

Trade Show and Welcome reception from 2pm will be held at The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne. VIC.

351 PLUMMER ST, PORT MELBOURNE VIC 3207

Either go straight there or buses will run from and return to The Pan Pacific Hotel, last return to leave The Timber Yard at 8.30pm.

Monday 27 March

Registration open 8.30am

Conference from 9.00 am

Venue: The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne. VIC

Gala Dinner - 7.00pm

The Glasshouse, Olympic Boulevard, Olympic Park, Melbourne, Victoria 3001

Tuesday 5 April

The regional tours are an important component of every Australian Distillers Conference.

The buses will leave from the front of the Pan Pacific Hotel.

There are no self drives. You must be on the coach.

We will soon be releasing booking details for your tours.

 

All regional tours are scheduled to return to Melbourne between 4.00 and 5.00pm.

 

There will be optional drinks on the Tuesday evening at a convenient Melbourne CBD location. Details will be provided at the conference. There will not be any transport provided for this optional event.

 

When is registration?

Registration opens at 1.30pm on Sunday 26th  at the Timber Yard.

When you register you will be given your conference pack (which includes lots of goodies) and your colour coded name tag. Full Members of the Association will receive a different coloured name tag from Associate Members and sponsors. If you are now a commercial distiller, and you are an Associate member, now is the time to upgrade your membership to Full Membership of the Association. You can do so by contacting Michael at admin@australiandistillers.org.au

 

What is the dress code?

For the welcome reception, conference during the day and the regional tours, the dress code is neat casual. Most delegates will wear their own branded apparel. For the Regional Tours, you will be at a working distillery and closed toed shoes are mandatory.

 

After the conference close on the Monday night there will be  a short break for you to freshen up.

 

The dress code for the gala dinner is cocktail/Monday best!

 

Bring a Bottle.

It is not an Australian Distillers Conference without the opportunity to show off your latest or greatest product to your mates, both old and new.

 

That’s why we strongly encourage every distiller to bring a bottle (or two maximum) of your product to share with your colleagues.

 

We will have professional bar staff serve it with a variety of mixers from our sponsors as part of the Welcome Drinks at our tasting bar. 

 

Please bring your bottle when you register and the friendly team will register your product and take care of it until the welcome drinks. Please note that  we will hold a special VIC tasting bar at the Gala dinner for all bottle from VIC distilleries.

 

What is the RSA policy?

All components of the Australian Distillers Conference will be in licensed venues and we will be complying with the Responsible Service and Consumption of Alcohol at all times.

 

I haven’t booked accommodation yet, what do I do?

We are delighted to announce the two main hotels for the conference are the Pan Pacific and the Novotel in South Wharf. It is recommended you book promptly as the Melbourne Grand Prix kicks off at the end of the week, hence accommodation is booking up quickly.

The Pan Pacific has provided a corporate rate of $299 (room only) and you MUST click the link on our booking page to secure this rate. There are only a limited number of rooms at this preferred rate. Once the allocation is exhausted, standard rates apply

The Novotel is located opposite the Pan Pacific and bookings can be made directly via their website. You are again encouraged to book quickly as rates will increase as we approach the conference date.

Hotel contact information is included on our booking page. Please direct ALL accommodation queries direct to the hotels.

 

Tell me more about the new 2pm start on Sunday :

Make sure you allow plenty of time to get to Melbourne so you can join your peers at our NEW conference venue, the Timber Yard in Port Melbourne, at 2.00 PM on Sunday, 26 March.

Registration will open at 1.30 PM so you can grab your lanyard, goodie bag and say g’day to the Australian Distillers team, before settling in for a fantastic afternoon of activities.

Either go straight there or buses will run from and return to The Pan Pacific from 1.15pm last return to leave Timber Yard at 8.30pm.

The NEW Trade Show kicks off at 2pm as do the NEW Masterclasses.

At 5.00pm we will have our Welcome drinks, where you will be able to celebrate the latest or greatest of yours and your colleagues’ products. Every distiller is encouraged to bring a bottle or two of their favourite creation. Food and entertainment will also be provided as we catch up with one another in the amazing outdoor setting of the Timber Yard.

WHAT is the NEW Trade Show?

Connect with over 30 suppliers and industry providers at the brand new Trade Show, starting at 2.00 PM on Sunday, 26 March.

The Trade Show promises to be a feast for the senses, with creative and engaging activations from the industry’s leading suppliers. There will be everything from casks and barrels, racking and shelving, yeast, bottling and labelling, packaging and distribution, machinery and tanks, alcohol testing, an 8ft high gorilla, professional services, software, product tasting, and so much more. Plus, there will be great competitions and activities throughout the afternoon – you won’t want to miss it!

tell me more about the NEW Masterclasses

Master practical skills and pick up tips and tricks from a range of quality speakers, who will present on topics including:

• Mental health (Black Dog Institute)
• Export to the US (David Vitale, Founder, Starward)
• Yeast and fermentation (Fermentis)
• Oak chips and taste testing (Grapeworks)
• Process engineering
• Tastings and mixing advice (Fever Tree)

Masterclass presentations will commence from 2:00 PM Sunday, 26 March, and seating will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Tell me more about Monday.

The conference doors will open at 8.30am at the Timber Yard, 351 PLUMMER ST, PORT MELBOURNE VIC 3207. Where our fantastic coffee sponsor, St Remio, will ignite your senses and get you ready for the day.

The Conference will be open at 9.00am sharp and will run through to 4.30pm. There will be plenty of breaks to engage with the sponsors, have a coffee, network and stretch your legs.

Presentations will cover our key themes - Safe, Smart and Sustainable. Additional industry updates will also feature prominently, closing with a panel Q&A.

 

You will have a chance to freshen up before our coaches pick you up at the Pan Pacific hotel to take you to the gala dinner at the Glasshouse,

The Glasshouse, Olympic Boulevard, Olympic Park, Melbourne, Victoria 3001.

 

The pre-dinner drinks start at 7.00pm and the gala dinner starts at 8.00pm and includes entertainment, some special guests, fine food and plenty of good cheer. There will even be a VIC tasting bar to showcase the VIC distilleries bottles. Dress code is Monday best! Knock yourself out and dress to impress.

 

Can my spouse come to the gala dinner if they are not coming to the conference?

They sure can. We love family and want you to be able to share an industry highlight. Please contact Michael to arrange the extra tickets once you have booked your conference ticket.

 

Tell me more about Tuesday.

All conference delegates are able to attend one of the regional tours. Please access the regional tours events page on the website (to be released 8 March) to select your regional tour.

 

Each of the tours will be leaving from the Pan Pacific Hotel. There is no self drive. You must pre-register. The tours will be to working distilleries, so you must wear closed toes shoes and appropriate clothing.

 

Morning tea and lunch will be provided at the distilleries. You will also be provided with tasting samples whilst you are there. If you want to purchase anything while you are there, the hosts have agreed that all conference delegates will be able to purchase at wholesale prices.

Will there be time to meet with the sponsors and vendors?

Members have told us that they want to be able to meet with the suppliers to the industry and find out the latest products and services from trusted suppliers. That is why some have taken the opportunity to have a stand and there are plenty of breaks in the schedule to allow you time to connect with the suppliers and sponsors, including the NEW Trade Show. We have worked really hard to bring you an improved conference this year and, without our sponsors we would not be able to bring you two and a half days of content at such great value.

This is my first time attending, will people be friendly?

Lucky for you, you are part of the most engaging, welcoming and supportive industry in Australia. Australian Distillers members have a reliable reputation for being open, welcoming, forthcoming with advice and experience and sharing the spirit.

 

Are there any side events?

There are some magnificent parallel events occurring along with the conference.

 

Held in partnership with the Australian Distillers Association, the Australian Whisky Show will showcase over 100 different whiskies, all produced by distilleries from across Australia. This is a consumer facing event. If you are in town, on the Saturday, it is a fantastic experience. Get more information here.

 

Spirits Victoria Association will be hosting a breakfast to welcome all of the Victorian delegation at 8.00am on Monday 4 April at the Timber Yard.

 

After the conference, when you return from the Regional Tour, there will be an unofficial after party. Details will be provided at the conference. This will run from 5.00pm to late.

How is this amazing conference so affordable?

We are part of an incredible and supportive industry that wants to see all responsible participants succeed. That is why we are proud to tell you about the generous and like minded supporters who are sponsoring the conference to ensure the event is as educative, entertaining and engaging as possible – whilst being as affordable.

The Victorian Government is supporting key conference aspects with a particular focus on the  regional tours and urban distilleries. The sponsorship recognises that the conference presents opportunity to connect the industry to regional Victoria and elevate Victoria as a distillery capital for the nation.

Please support the brands that support you! VISIT our conference partners page and meet up with our amazing supporters at the NEW Trade Show.

How do I join the Australian Distillers Association?

By joining the Australian Distillers Association, you are part of one of the fastest growing and most diverse industries in Australia. You share in the passion, commitment and ethical standards required to unleash the potential of you and your business. Joining is easy. Just click here and follow the prompts.

I still have some questions. Where do I go?

You can contact Michael at any time at admin@australiandistillers.org.au