The Drinks Development Cluster has been launched as part of Welsh Government’s Cluster program and is aimed at supporting growth through industry collaboration and connectivity. Employing nearly 2,000 people and valued at around £596 million, the Welsh Drinks Sector makes a valuable contribution to the economy, particularly in parts of rural Wales. 

The Welsh Drinks Sector covers around 200 suppliers across Wales, is incredibly broad and has very different needs for each of the individual product sectors within it. Initially we looked to bring all of the suppliers together for one event in Mid Wales but after a number of survey responses and 1-2-1 meetings, the feedback suggested that the best approach would be to split the cluster engagement into two meetings; one covering the alcohol suppliers and the other the water and soft drinks suppliers.

We would therefore like to invite you to the initial Alcohol Drinks Cluster Event on Thursday 23rd November 2017 from 4pm to 7pm, at the Metropole Hotel, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5DY.

The event will be opened by Stephen Davies, the Chief Executive of Penderyn who will share the story around how the most successful Distillery in Wales was created.

We then move on to Anthony Mills from BIC Innovation who has worked across New Zealand with small and large wine businesses in Marlborough and Waiheke Island, and has also had exposure to the successful cluster set up in the Hawkes Bay region. Anthony has great experience around how clusters work and will share how collaboration can benefit all parties for future growth.

Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues from Cardiff Business School will then talk to us about utilising the

Co-Growth Project to open up opportunities to collaborate across the drinks supply chain.

Duncan Macaskill will then share some key market insights and ways of working before Mark Grant will share the feedback from the supplier surveys and 1-2-1 supplier meetings that have been conducted to date.

We will then break into groups to provide you with the opportunity to feedback what your priorities are for the cluster and where you feel we will be able to collaborate moving forward.

A light buffet and drinks has been arranged post the event to allow you to network with the Welsh Government Food Division team, the other suppliers or guest speakers.

If you would like to attend the above event could you e-mail your confirmation through to

bwyd-food@levercliff.co.uk , confirming who from your business will be in attendance.

Thank you.

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