[Liquid_Inspiration]

https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/aha-events/homebrew-hq-gabf/

This just annoys me.  It's a cop-out.  Maybe I'm just annoyed because I'm in Denver and HomebrewCon was finally going to be local and be in tandem with GABF, lessening my expense on attending.  Looking forward to see what the local homebrew clubs could do in the week leading up to GABF.

But no.....all there will be is a sad little booth that no one will go to.  No big parade on the NHC results, no events.  Essentially they just said "Hey if you are a homebrewer, just go to GABF, they have beer there", removing all effort and accountability.

I don't want to blame Julie, but....  She attended our local homebrew meeting and talked up wanting to build up AHA and the one single big event they do.....they pass the buck.

[erockrph]

That is disappointing. For many (most?) members, Homebrewcon and the NHC is the primary reason for belonging to the AHA. I hope concrete details emerge about what is planned to "reimagine" Homebrewcon after "taking a break" this year.

[jherzjherz]

Hello, Chris and Eric, I, too, will miss Homebrew Con for 2024 and encourage you to consider all perspectives. Those who attend AHA at GABF will find reward in different ways and also can keep it to a lower cost than recent conferences.

We are still providing the option to gather surrounded by layers upon layers of beer and homebrew appreciation opportunities, off the charts networking at the who's who of beer gatherings and more. Plus, we landed on a pretty amazing venue for the 2024 National Homebrew Competition awards at the very festival the AHA and competition started in 1982.

More details on 2024 (and 2025) will be shared with members as we finalize them. Stay tuned to AHA emails and HomebrewersAssociation.org https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/aha-events/homebrew-hq-gabf

Cheers,
Julia
ahaed@brewersassociation.org

[CFRAZIER77]

That is disappointing. For many (most?) members, Homebrewcon and the NHC is the primary reason for belonging to the AHA. I hope concrete details emerge about what is planned to "reimagine" Homebrewcon after "taking a break" this year.

I agree, I understand that there is less of us right now.  But, so much of Homebrewcon is left out that it is not worth it for me to go.  I don't think that I am alone. 

[guido]

That is disappointing. For many (most?) members, Homebrewcon and the NHC is the primary reason for belonging to the AHA. I hope concrete details emerge about what is planned to "reimagine" Homebrewcon after "taking a break" this year.

I agree, I understand that there is less of us right now.  But, so much of Homebrewcon is left out that it is not worth it for me to go.  I don't think that I am alone.

I worry about the "reimagine" thing. That's the problem, forcing the conference into what's it's not anymore. The AHA needs to accept reality and return to its successful formula of the past: a large hotel venue and cap attendance at around 1500. Also, I've never been involved with planning a conference, submitting a proposal, etc. It must be a massive, time-consuming undertaking. By taking a "hiatus" for '24, isn't the AHA essentially writing off '25? The clock is already ticking for '25. The pairing with the GABF is going to be an unattended, unmitigated disaster. I don't understand what the powers that be were thinking when the solution to return to the past is so obvious. The conference was always the highlight of my year. I fear that it's going to be no more.

[dubs]

It is disappointing. I had fun at GABF the times I went but it is very hard to justify the cost of travel and lodging for almost no homebrewing content, networking, and ZERO homebrew sharing. This begs the question: if it flops, does the AHA punt on HBC 2025 as well? I'd reckon that would cause the membership to collapse, and leadership has been very guarded about committing to it returning in any form.

[Liquid_Inspiration]

As it stands now, most my homebrew club only carries AHA to have our club insurance covered (reimbursed).  GABF early access and discounted tickets are nice as well as the homebrew supplies from the local homebrew store.  Discounts at breweries (that actually credit it) is very nice too.

If they stopped the insurance program, I know just about all our club members would cease membership.

[redrocker652002]

Being fairly new to all of this, and really wanting to meet up with some of the good folks who have given me so much great info, I wanted to attend last year.  But, the cost of the event, lodging and all put me out of the race.  I would enjoy a local or even regional event where I can at least meet up with some of the folks on the west coast.  But, cost is a big factor for me, and last year was way above my budget.  I will keep an eye on all of this, but unless it is cheaper with the same way of meeting folks from the site, not really worth it to me. 

On a side note, I have toyed with getting the California, northern and beyond, together for a brew day.  But I just don't have the room for it.  That would be kinda fun too   Anyway, good luck to all, I hope they figure it all out.  My membership here is really only to support. 

[mainebrewer]

It is disappointing. I had fun at GABF the times I went but it is very hard to justify the cost of travel and lodging for almost no homebrewing content, networking, and ZERO homebrew sharing. This begs the question: if it flops, does the AHA punt on HBC 2025 as well? I'd reckon that would cause the membership to collapse, and leadership has been very guarded about committing to it returning in any form.

As I posted earlier in one of the several threads on this subject, most hotels large enough to handle 1000 -1500 people are booked 3 -5 years in advance. So, if AHA is thinking about moving from "convention center" to "large hotel" and they have not already contracted with a hotel, it will be unlikely that will happen in 2025.