Senior executives from global drinks brands are due to gather in Athenry next month for the Irish Drinks Forum.
The forum is seen as the flagship event for the food-and-beverage export sector.
It will feature a line-up of international brands, industry pioneers, and policy leaders to chart the future of one of Ireland’s most valuable export sectors.
The forum this year is set to be dominated by the challenges facing the industry, including tariffs, supply chain shocks, climate pressures and shifting consumer demand.
Irish drinks exports reached record highs in 2024, but the industry says volatility across raw materials, international markets, and regulation is intensifying.
The event at the BIA Innovator Campus on September 3 and 4th, this year’s Forum will feature keynote appearances from global industry leaders, including Jamie Fulham, Planning & Media Manager Diageo, and Emma Walls, CEO of the National Dairy Council.
More than 40 sector leaders from across Ireland, Europe, Asia and North America will contribute, spanning whiskey, beer, Irish cream liqueurs, cider, spirits, malt, finance, sustainability, and innovation.
The sector now accounts for almost half of Ireland’s total food and drink exports and supports over 38,000 jobs nationwide, playing a foundational role in local economies from Donegal to Cork.
Lynn Harte, Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Programme Manager, BIA Innovator Campus & Programme Manager of the Irish Drinks Forum, said: “The Irish Drinks Forum is more than just a conference, it's a strategic spark for Ireland’s drinks industry at a time when building resilience, innovation, and connection matter more than ever.
"At BIA Innovator Campus, we’re proud to host and power this national platform that unites producers, pioneers, and policymakers under one roof.
"As the operational home of the Forum, we’re not just facilitating conversations, we're shaping the future of food and drink from the ground up.
"This year’s programme is bold, forward-thinking, and built on collaboration and we’re excited to see the industry’s next chapter take shape here in Athenry.”
Mary Sadlier, CEO of Coole Swan Cream Liqueur, added: “Our resilience is all about moving forward; you only lose when you stop moving. In a retail-based business, the numbers really matter.”
Photo by: Ger Griffin, Shade and Light Media
