Fast Forward Events Acquires Craft Beverage Expo, Craft Beverage Experience and Women in Craft Symposium

July 26, 2023

Fast Forward Events has expanded its portfolio of events in the adult alcohol beverage industry with acquisition of the Craft Beverage Expo & Distribution Conference (CBE), the Craft Beverage Experience and the Women in Craft Symposium. CBE Co-Founder Kellie Shevlin joins Fast Forward as vice president, sales and marketing.

Created by Shevlin and industry veteran Vincent Polito, CBE has connected professionals and enthusiasts across the craft alcohol beverage space for the past decade. The event is focused on small-batch beverages including beer, wine, spirits, mead and cider and the issues that producers face — from finding the right technology and equipment for their operations to getting their beverages onto store shelves. In 2023, the B2B and B2C events were held March 29-April 2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. 

Michelle Metter, co-owner of Fast Forward Events, alongside partner, Ken Loyst, expressed their excitement about the acquisition, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Kellie Shevlin and her esteemed portfolio of events to Fast Forward. This strategic move allows us to further cement our position as the go-to creators of trade shows and events within the adult alcohol beverage markets."

Fast Forward owns and produces the SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo, the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival and the e-learning platform, SommGo, an on-demand streaming service for the alcohol beverage industry.

In June, Fast Forward Events announced the launch of Tasting Room Expo, a trade show and symposium centered on tasting and tap room management, March 26-27, 2024, in Reno, Nev. Metter told TSNN/ENN that the next CBE will be co-located with the launch of the Tasting & Tap Room Expo. 

Craft Beverage Expo

"Fast Forward Events has proven itself to be a trailblazer in the industry, and I have no doubt that the CBE portfolio will thrive under their leadership,” said Polito. “This acquisition presents an incredible opportunity to expand the reach and impact of these events, benefiting the entire adult alcohol beverage community."

Shevlin expressed her excitement in joining Fast Forward and working alongside its talented team. 

“Together, we will leverage our collective expertise to create unparalleled experiences, solve unique challenges and drive growth for our clients and partners,” Shevlin said. “Our vision for the CBE portfolio of shows is to help the heart of our craft beverage community find their foothold in today's expanding alcohol beverage market. The cross pollination of craft from our shows into the sectors currently serviced by Fast Forward gives us more depth with which to do so."


Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on TwitterFacebook and LinkedIn!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be. Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024. To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages. Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions. In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage. Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.