From October 12 to 18, 2020, Global Bar Week brought the bar and beverage industry together digitally across four continents. For the first time Bar Convent Berlin, BCB Brooklyn, BCB São Paulo and Imbibe Live, united to form a common platform to bring the industry together worldwide.
232 exhibitors presented themselves with virtual showrooms. Around 6,800 participants from 77 countries have so far taken advantage of the Global Bar Week and informed themselves about innovations, trends and industry best practices. The majority of the attendees came from the USA, Brazil, UK and Germany, but attendees from all parts of Europe, India, Mexico and Singapore also actively used the virtual platform.
"We are proud of what we have created together," said BCB Director Petra Lassahn at the end of the week-long event. "In an exceptional year, we have opened up new paths for the future with the digital platform. The offering was very valuable for our participants, especially in the current crisis. Digital trade fairs cannot replace live shows, but this year they have given us the opportunity to come together as an industry, across all countries and continents, despite the pandemic.”
This year's Global Bar Week had many benefits for the industry - as a forum for exchange, a top-level educational programme, a think tank and innovative show. Matchmaking, a kind of dating platform for business, was an important tool for the participants. A total of around 1,000 one-to-one video meetings took place on the platform. In addition, visitors and exhibitors had the opportunity to exchange contact details and generate leads in the brand portal.
Education traditionally plays an important role at both BCB and Imbibe Live. In total, the programme was viewed for nearly 3,000 hours. There were around 150 sessions and panel discussions to choose from: topics ranged from coronavirus to social issues, from bartending to bar business. The particularly sought-after contents ranged from spirits and consumption trends to drink and menu design, a look behind the scenes of bars from all over the world and basic knowledge.
The next Bar Convent Brooklyn will take place at the Brooklyn Expo Center in June 2021. The BCB São Paulo will take place on June 14 and 15, 2021. The next Imbibe Live will be taking place on July 5 and 6, 2021, Olympia London. And the next Bar Convent Berlin will take place from October 11 to 13, 2021 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.