Senior executives from global drinks brands, government and supply chain leaders will converge in Athenry this September for Irish Drinks Forum 2025, the country’s flagship event for the food-and-beverage export sector.
The forum will feature a powerhouse line-up of international brands, industry pioneers, and policy leaders to chart the future of one of Ireland’s most valuable export sectors.
This year’s event comes at a critical moment as producers navigate global trade tensions, including tariffs, supply chain shocks, climate pressures and shifting consumer demand.
Irish drinks exports reached record highs in 2024, while volatility across raw materials, international markets and regulation is intensifying.
Hosted 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, (part of the world’s largest drinks company) 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, Programme Manager of the Irish Drinks Forum, said that this event is “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, a premium Irish liqueur brand competing on the global stage, welcomed the focus of this year’s Irish Drinks Forum on building resilience in the industry.
She added, “Our resilience is all about moving forward. You only lose when you stop moving. In a retail-based business, the numbers really matter.”
Highlights of this year’s Forum include:
● Tariff Stress Test: International pricing strategist Ed Heskins (Iris Pricing Solutions, London) will lead a live scenario analysis on US/EU tariff threats.
● Net-Zero Maturation Reveal: McCallan Bonded will showcase Ireland’s first net-zero whiskey maturation warehouse as part of the Forum’s “Future Finds” technology track.
● Circular-Economy Lab: A hands-on workshop exploring new revenue streams from brewing and distilling by-products, hosted by Beverage Brewing Technology.
● Cooperage Masterclass: Legendary Midleton cooper Ger Buckley, retiring fifth-generation cask expert, will share rare craft insights in a live demonstration.
● Global Market Outlook: Eoin Barra Co-Founder of Tipple, discusses how a new approach has changed the online direct to customer pathway.
