6th Annual James B. Beam Institute Industry Conference, March 17-19, 2025
Conference Information
- March 17-19, 2025 at the Gatton Student Center at the University of KY in Lexington, KY
- Attendee registration is now live - early bird ending on January 21
- Registration link
Conference Registration Rates (regular rates after January 21 in parentheses)
Regular All Conference Ticket: $400.00 ($500)
Regular Day Pass: $200 ($250)
University Faculty/Staff All Conference Ticket: $150; Day Pass: $75 (no early bird/late rates)
Student All Conference Ticket: $25
If Craft Distillers' Guilds is selected in the affiliation field of the registration form, a 20% discount on the early bird/regular rates will automatically be applied at checkout
Kentucky Distillers' Association Members will receive a 50% discount (code will be shared by KDA directly to members)
The Conference will take place March 17-19. 2025 at the University of KY Gatton Student Center in Lexington, KY
Hotel Rates
$169/night
21C Museum Hotel Lexington is an 88-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, culturalcenter and home to Lockbox restaurant. Woven into the fabric of downtown Lexington, 21cwelcomes both visitors and the local community to enjoy the curated exhibitions and culturalprogramming. Stay with us and the iconic Blue Penguin.
$179 (King) or $199 (Deluxe King)/night
One of the newest hotels, the Manchester is in the heart of the Distillery District, about 1.2 milesfrom campus and half a mile from downtown Lexington. The Manchester is an upscale,independent lifestyle boutique property with sprawling views of downtown Lexington andbeyond. The property offers high-end amenities, upscale restaurants and bars, flexible eventspace, and a bespoke gym.
$169/night
Amid bars and office buildings, this upmarket hotel is a 7-minute walk from Rupp Arena and a 9-minute walk from the University of Kentucky. Blue Grass Airport is 6 miles away.
Polished rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as minifridges and coffeemakers. Club-level rooms add private lounge access. Suites feature sofabeds, microwaves, and balconies with city views. Room service is offered 24/7.
There’s a lobby lounge, and a rooftop restaurant with a bar and terrace seating. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and a gym, plus meeting and event space. A breakfast buffet and parking are also available.
RESERVATION LINK: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1728659325025&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true
$114/night
The Holiday Inn is less than 1 mile from UK's Gatton Student Center and offers
- Complimentary breakfast, as well as
- WIFI and wired Internet
- Free Parking
- Fitness Center and indoor pool
$115 (King) or$125 (Double Queen)/night; use group code: “JBM”
The Springhill Suites is less than 1 mile from UK's Gatton Student Center and offers:
- Complimentary breakfast
- Refrigerators & microwaves in all rooms with wet bars and a ½ partitioned sitting area Free Parking
- WIFI and wired Internet
- Expanded on-site Fitness Center and On-site indoor pool
RESERVATION LINK: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1728413837925&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true
Conference Partner and Vendor Information
You can review our partnership and vendor brochure here
Conference vendor booths are sold out for the 2025 conference. To find out more about partnerships, please e-mail ilka.balk@uky.edu
Questions?
Want a Recap of the 2024 Conference?
2025 Conference Agenda
(opens in new tab/subject to change)
Newly added: Preconference Excursion:
Signature Industries in the Bluegrass, Sunday, March 16, 2025, 2:30-8:00 pm
Join industry leaders and fellow conference attendees to explore two of Kentucky’s signature industries at an exclusive, curated pre-conference event on Sunday, March 16 from 2:30 – 8:00 p.m. The afternoon will include a behind-the-scenes horse farm tour, visits to unique Lexington attractions, a networking dinner, and a panel discussion featuring some of central Kentucky’s most notable distillers and industry entrepreneurs.
Sunday, March 16, 2025 -
- 2:30 pm: Depart 21C hotel downtown Lexington - Transportation provided
- 3:00 - 4:30 pm: Tour and interactive experience at Mill Ridge Farm
- 4:30 - 5:00 pm: Drive through Keeneland Race Track
- 5:00 pm: Arrive at The Kentucky Castle
- 5:15 pm – 5:30 pm: Tour of Kentucky Castle
- 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Cash Bar Cocktail Reception
- 6:00 - 6:45 pm: Dinner
- 6:45 - 7:30 pm: Panel Discussion begins - hear from local spirits entrepreneurs
- 8:00 pm: Arrive back at the 21C Hotel
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The cost for this event is $199/$229 after Feb. 14. Admission fees, transportation and dinner is included in this price. Register here
Conference schedule overview (opens in new tab)
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