Bar Convent Berlin readies

Bar Convent Berlin, now in its sixth year, is preparing for its annual event, which is described as somewhere between a trade fair and a symposium.

Organised by the team behind Mixology magazine, the show takes place on October 9-10 at Postbahnhof, Straße der Pariser Kommune 8, 10243 Berlin.

Since its launch in 2007 Bar Convent Berlin has evolved into one of the year’s most important networking and exhibitors’ events for the German and central European bar industry.

The event’s comprehensive programme includes a stellar line-up of speakers, about 40 tastings, talks and seminars over the two days.

For 2012, BCB has nominated the guest country as Mexico, with the Mexican ambassador to open the trade show and a host of delegates from the country giving talks on tequila.

Show co-founder Helmut Adam is expecting 90 companies to exhibit some 300 brands. He expects to welcome 6,000 guests.

Speakers include: Dushan Zaric, Angus Winchester, Ian Burrell, Philip Duff, Steffen Lohr, Anistatia Miller & Jared Brown, Gaz Regan, Marian Beke, Jonathan Downey, Jörg Meyer, Ryan Fitzgerald, Esteban Garibi, Dave Broom, Tomas Estes, David Suro und Mauro Mahjoub.

Exhibitors include Campari, Bacardi, Diageo, Borco, Beam and many boutique brands. In 2011 Bar Convent Berlin received around 4,500 visitors, 78% of which were German with the remainder mostly from other European countries.

Visitors comprised bartenders, bar managers, bar owners and other beverage industry workers. They gave their main interests as: talks & programmes 36%, new products 26%, spirits 21%, networking 11% and bar equipment 6%.

Bastian Heuser, also co-founder and CEO Bar Convent Berlin said: “Our trade show, Bar Convent, is among the most important international industry events. In our annual visitor survey, networking is always stated as one of the most important reasons for attending.

“For this reason we are this year for the first time providing our exhibitors and visitors with an app to enable them to perfectly plan their two days at the Bar Convent.

“Last but not least we are pleased to welcome Mexico as the guest country at the Bar Convent Berlin. Alongside the many Mexican exhibitors, our visitors will also find numerous associated topics being discussed on our stages.”

For detailed information on the programme visit barconvent.com.

Getting to the show

Visitors arriving at Schönefeld Airport can take the S9 line directly to the venue. If you are arriving at Tegel Airport, the TXL bus will take you to the Alexanderplatz, where you can get the S-Bahn to the Ostbahnhof, which is just two stops away. 

You can get to the Postbahnhof at Ostbahnhof station very easily with most S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines or by bus, since the Ostbahnhof is one of the city’s main public transport hubs. If you are travelling by car, you’ll find parking facilities in the underground car park at the Ostbahnhof.