Exclusive benefit for BA Export Development Program members
Not a member? Learn more about the Program benefits and fees.
The Brewers Association Export Development Program (EDP) will host an inbound trade mission of international craft beer importers during the Craft Brewers Conference® and BrewExpo America® (CBC), taking place April 20–22, 2026, in Philadelphia.
This delegation includes key decision-makers and buyers actively seeking to expand their portfolios of U.S. craft beer. The annual CBC reverse trade mission is one of EDP’s most successful programs, fostering meaningful connections between U.S. brewers and international partners. At the 2025 mission in Indianapolis, more than 100 one-on-one meetings were held, generating strong interest in U.S. craft beer across global markets.
Who Should Participate
EDP member breweries attending CBC are invited to register for one-on-one meetings with importer delegates to:
- Explore new export opportunities
- Strengthen relationships with existing international partners
These meetings provide a focused setting to present your beers directly to qualified buyers. Please note that beer sampling at CBC is subject to venue restrictions; see Beer Samples for Importer Meetings below for details.
Timeline
- March 6 – Deadline for EDP member breweries to register for Importer Meetings
(Brewery Participation Registration form available at the bottom of this page) - March 16 – Meeting scheduling begins
(Registered breweries will receive instructions by email) - March 20– Deadline to register beer donations
(Complete the CBC BEER SAMPLE REGISTRATION FORM. All shipped cases must be clearly labeled “EDP” on the exterior of the case. During sample registration, when prompted for the serving location, select “Experience Meet-Up: Export Development Program” from the drop-down menu.) - April 1-10 – Receiving window for Beer Samples at 31st and Wharton Distributing
Receiving Hours for Beer Donations: Mon – Fri 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. EST
Those with current Philadelphia distribution outside of 31st and Wharton, your local distributor can make a direct delivery of those products to the convention center on April 17, 2026. No personal deliveries will be accepted at the convention center. - April 20-22 – Importer Meetings take place during CBC in Philadelphia
Export Track Seminars at CBC
Each year, EDP leverages CBC to attract international guests and offers a series of export-focused seminars designed to educate members and facilitate connections with global industry leaders. In addition to the importer meetings, EDP members are encouraged to attend this year’s Export Track seminars.
Beer Samples for Importer Meetings
The EDP will host a dedicated meeting room stocked with beer samples provided by participating EDP members. The room will be equipped with:
- Meeting tables
- Tasting cups
- Water
- Refridgeration
This space allows breweries to conduct meetings and tastings using beer shipped in advance. To ensure your beer is available for meetings, you must register and ship samples by the March 20 deadline.
Two separate registrations are required:
- Brewery Participation Registration Form – Located at the bottom of this post; registers your brewery to participate in the Importer Meetings programming.
- Beer Sample Registration Form – Linked in the TIMELINE section above; required for shipping beer samples to Philadelphia.
Important: Bringing in or sampling alcohol outside of the designated EDP meeting room is not permitted at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
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