'Beeronomics' conference raises glass to brewing economy

Top business minds and academics will be raising a glass to the economic benefits s of beer at the ‘Beerenomics’ international conference.

The major conference, held at the University of York, will bring together academics, the business community and policy makers to discuss high-quality economic research related to beer and brewing.

According to the British Beer and Pub Association, almost 949,000 jobs in the UK are sustained through the activity of the beer and pub sector, with £12.9bn of wages and £19.5bn of gross value added.

The sector also employs a high proportion of young workers, with about 300,000 workers under 25.

Held in the UK for the first time, Beeronomics 2013, hosted by the York Management School, will cover topics including policy, marketing and consumption, industrial organisations and innovation.

Delegates and speakers from across the globe are expected to attend, including MPs, academics from institutions such as Stamford and Cornell Universities, and representatives from breweries, the Campaign for Real Ale , and the British Beer & Pub Association.

Speakers include Professor Charles Bamforth, from the University of California Davis; Mike Benner, Chief Executive of CAMRA and Andrew Griffiths MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group.

Dr Ignazio Cabras, from the York Management School and Chair of the conference Steering Committee, said: “Beer and brewing is of major economic importance, both to the UK as a whole and the Yorkshire and Humber region, and we are very pleased to host a conference of this importance at York.

“Beeronomics 2013 will present the very latest research and allow the brewing industry, the academic community and policy-makers to share and discuss ideas.

“The event is also a fantastic opportunity for Yorkshire to showcase its quality products and we are pleased to have the enthusiastic support of a number of local breweries.“

While most of the conference events are based at the University’s new £750m Heslington East campus extension, the conference will move into the city on 19 September for a reception at the Guildhall hosted by City of York Council.

This will include beer tasting and a chance to meet local brewers, with Yorkshire micro-breweries having a unique opportunity to show off their products to international delegates.

The following day centres on a major panel debate, providing an opportunity for the brewing industry to enter a constructive dialogue with policy-makers about issues affecting them.

Conference workshops will follow a number of themes, including trends and driving forces in beer production, consumption, distribution and trade, management, marketing and market structure, and the impact of beer on society and culture.

Professor David Higgins, from the York Management School and Chair of the Scientific Committee, said: “Each of the previous international venues for Beeronomics has had a strong connection with beer and brewing and York is no exception.

“Yorkshire has a strong tradition of beer production, while researchers at the University of York are carrying out important research in areas such as branding and marketing and the social importance of rural pubs.

“Beeronomics 2013 is a perfect opportunity to put the city of York, the University and the beer and brewing sector into the spotlight.”

The conference coincides with the York Beer and Cider Festival, organised by the York branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which delegates will also have an opportunity to attend.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Beeronomics 2013 conference can visit www.beeronomics2013.org/