Bar Convent Brooklyn heads online

Trade show Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB) has followed in the footsteps of its flagship Berlin fair by moving to an online format this year.

Bar Convent Brooklyn 2020 will no longer take place in a physical format

The US event had already been rescheduled this year after it was originally due to take place in June, but has been pushed back to 11 and 12 August due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Brooklyn event, like the Bar Convent Berlin show in October, will now be held digitally. The date for this year’s online show has not been confirmed yet.

“With safety always our first priority and not discounting the possibility of further social distancing measures, we had hoped to stand in person with all of our supporters in August,” said Paula November, BCB event vice president. “BCB’s goal has always been to support our industry, this year we are dedicated to re-emerging from the current crisis as a united community.

“Our team is working diligently to innovate in new ways to deliver various channels for the hospitality industry to have the opportunity to engage, learn, and grow professionally and personally, while socially distanced.”

The show will now be dedicated to offering education and support that “recognises and addresses the direct and essential needs of the industry”.

This year’s online show will offer digital educational sessions and a match-making platform that will allow brands and attendees to set up individual appointments.

Participants will also be able to interact in real time with brands and other attendees. In addition, Bar Convent Brooklyn will launch a podcast featuring industry voices and dedicated to topics such as equality, inclusivity and community support.

Randy Field, portfolio global vice president of Reed Exhibitions, organiser of the event, added: “We wish to provide a safe space now so that we can meet virtually with friends, family and community. We are also looking to the future, assessing the possibility of continuing the BCB on the Road series in a modified physical and digital space as soon as the environment allows.”

New Infused 365 platform

BCB will also launch a new year-round platform, called Infused 365. The hub will showcase resources from the virtual show, as well as ongoing content spanning industry news, webinars and digital programmes. The platform will host existing and upcoming sessions of BCB’s Unconventional Wisdom series.

Furthermore, the hub will offer employment opportunities through job-matching service Culinary Agent, and content from a New York law firm that specialises in hospitality.

Infused 365 will also provide a digital author’s corner featuring hospitality writers and a virtual programme for the bar community.

Further information on the plans for the online 2020 event will be revealed in due course, along with details on the Brooklyn show’s return in June 2021.

BCB is one of a large number of industry events to be cancelled as a result of the pandemic. In April 2020, annual festival Tales of the Cocktail announced it would turn online for its 2020 event.

Reed Exhibitions also cancelled its Imbibe Live 2020 show in London, which was due to be held at the end of June.