10/04/2023

Ohio Craft Brewers Association to Host its Annual Conference in Toledo

The event will be held Jan. 16-18, 2024

Destination Toledo is excited to announce that Toledo has been selected to host the 2024 Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s ninth annual Ohio Craft Brewers Conference. The yearly event, bringing 700 brewers and brewery adjacent professionals to the Glass City Center Jan. 16-18, 2024; it features educational seminars, speakers, industry vendors and networking opportunities focused on the growing craft beer industry in Ohio.

“We are honored to be hosting OCBA’s largest annual event,” said Lance Woodworth, president and CEO of Destination Toledo and OSAP board director. "In 2022, Ohio’s craft brewing industry generated an estimated $1.27 billion of economic activity and supported more than 12,000 jobs in the state. The OCBA conference provides a great opportunity for leaders in the brewing community to enjoy great local beer and venues while also collaborating to create new and exciting ways to continue to grow beer tourism in our state.”

The Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA), an OSAP member organization, was founded in 2008 as a not-for-profit organization to unify the Ohio brewing community; to market Ohio-manufactured beers throughout the state and beyond and to monitor and promote a strong beer industry in Ohio. The OCBA also organizes statewide events that showcase the rich brewing industry and stellar beers being produced in Ohio.

“Industry professionals from around the state gather at the Ohio Craft Brewers Conference to learn about various aspects of the business of brewing beer,” said Mary MacDonald, OCBA's executive director. “One of our primary criteria for selecting a venue is the number of breweries in proximity to our site for attendees to visit and support. We are delighted that the growth of the Toledo craft beer scene and the renovation of the Glass City Center have coincided to bring our event to Toledo.”

Destination Toledo is the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the greater Toledo region and is the driving force behind supporting the local economy through tourism. Lucas County's travel and tourism industry currently welcomes 15.9 million visitors each year, driving $1.5 billion in visitor spending.