The Leadership Summit, held in Washington, D.C., the day before the Hill Climb, brings together brewery executives and industry leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and look ahead at the forces shaping the future of beverage alcohol. This intimate, interactive event combines big-picture perspectives with candid peer-to-peer conversations about the decisions brewery leaders make today to prepare for what’s next.
While federal affairs will be a part of the conversation, the Leadership Summit takes a broader look at the changing business environment for breweries. Through data-driven insights and executive-level discussions, attendees will explore what a successful brewery could look like three to five years, how shifts in hospitality, retail, and other beverage categories could create new opportunities, and how the evolving distribution landscape may change the way craft breweries reach consumers.
A featured speaker and panel discussions will bring together brewery leaders, industry experts, and perspectives from outside beer to challenge conventional thinking and spark new ideas. Facilitated discussions will give attendees opportunities to dig deeper with their peers, compare strategies, and consider what they may need to start, stop, or rethink to position their businesses for long-term success.
How Can I Participate?
- Register. We have limited space and want to ensure that we can accommodate all participants.
- Secure your hotel room at Eaton DC, the official Hill Climb hotel.
2027 Schedule
- 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | Arrival, Coffee & Mingling
- 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
- 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM | Washington Perspectives: Congressional Fireside Chats
- 11:15 AM – 11:30 | Federal Affairs: What Brewery Leaders Need to Know
- 11:30 PM – 12:00 PM | Featured Speaker: The Forces Reshaping Beverage Alcohol
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | The Brewery of 2030: What Does a Successful Brewery Look Like Three–Five Years From Now? (Brewery Leader Panel)
- 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM | Executive Exchange: Preparing for 2030 (Facilitated Table Discussions)
- 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM | Beyond the Taproom: What Can Breweries Learn From Hospitality, Retail & Other Beverage Categories? (Cross-Industry Panel)
- 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Break
- 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM | The Future of Distributed Craft (Cross-Tier Panel)
- 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Executive Exchange: What Will You Do Differently? (Facilitated Table Discussions + Share Full Group Takeaways)
- 4:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Hill Climb Preview & Closing Remarks
- 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Hill Climb Welcome Reception @ Atlas Brew Works – Navy Yard
Sponsor the Leadership Summit
We have a variety of opportunities to reach brewery leadership during this first-ever event that leads directly into the Hill Climb programming in the evening. Through these opportunities, you will gain key visibility and network with the decision makers that represent our professional beverage producing membership. Get in touch to explore your options!
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