Fast Forward Events Announces Record-Breaking Registration Numbers and the Expanded Beverage Expo at SommCon 2023
San Diego, CA [October 16, 2023]– SommCon®, the leading conference and expo for wine and adult beverage professionals produced by Fast Forward Events, announced it’s most successful event to date, marked by a triple digit surge in registration numbers. In addition, SommCon® 2023 debuted the expanded Beverage Expo, an expo featuring 75 exhibiting companies representing the leading brands, products, and innovations in the wine and adult beverage category.
More than 1,000 adult beverage professionals gathered in San Diego for SommCon® September 10- 12, 2023, which offered a curated selection of educational seminars, engaging panel discussions, dynamic networking events, plus an expo hall which featured three show floor theaters dedicated to demonstrations, collaborations and sessions. SommCon® experienced a groundbreaking 110% growth in registrations as compared to the previous year, with more than 60% of attendees being first-timers. This growth in first time attendees is largely attributed to a comprehensive marketing campaign promoting the growth in education and networking opportunities as well as the expanded Beverage Expo.
SommCon’s Beverage Expo was comprised of more than 75 exhibitors occupying 40,000 square feet of show floor space, as opposed to the 8,000 square feet occupied in 2022. Exhibitor participation witnessed a notable 50% increase compared to the previous year. These exhibiting brands seized the opportunity to connect with hundreds of both international and domestic buyers, distributors, importers, and adult beverage professionals, all wielding purchasing power exceeding $50,000.
“We are thrilled to announce our highest registration numbers since 2019 and a successful expansion of the marketplace into the Beverage Expo,” said Michelle Metter, Partner at Fast Forward Events. “This year’s conference delivered invaluable trends and insights both on and off the expo floor that further solidified SommCon’s position as a premiere trade event in the wine and spirits industry. As the wine and adult beverage industry continues to evolve, Fast Forward Events remains at the forefront, committed to providing invaluable experiences and opportunities in this growing sector including the launch of the inaugural Tasting & Tap Room Expo™ in May 2024 as well as the purchase of Craft Beverage Expo™.”