BET Visionary, Anne Gigney, was instrumental in bringing CIBD Asia to Lutruwita/Tasmania’s shores – and the state delivered community, proximity and aligned experiences by the pint.

In March 2025, Lutruwita/ Tasmania welcomed the 38th Convention of the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD) Asia Pacific Section to Hobart. The event was the culmination of months of vision, hard work and collaboration – and it marked a milestone not just for the international brewing community, but for Business Events Tasmania’s Visionary Program.

The conference drew brewers, distillers, and fermentation specialists from across the globe for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration. Joining a convening committee of local experts was Anne Gigney, a BET Visionary and Director of Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association, The Distillers Institute and Tasmanian Whisky Academy. Anne brought deep industry insight and local networks to the table, clearly demonstrating the purpose of our Visionary Program: to champion Lutruwita/Tasmania on the global stage, lighting the way for business events to connect with the knowledge, innovation and passion of local leaders.

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  Image Credit - Liam Neal
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  Image Credit - Moon Cheese Studio
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  Image Credit: The Bakery Creative Agency

“We were able to showcase some of Tasmania’s best distilleries with tours out to Greenbanks and Lark, followed by technical visits to Sullivans, Maguires and Willie Smiths. It was pretty amazing”” — Anne Gigney, BET Visionary

Food and agriculture is one of Lutruwita/Tasmania’s most significant and strategically aligned industries and is renowned for its sustainable management principles. Our distillers and brewers are no strangers to the global spotlight either, boasting global awards including Lark Distillery’s three World’s Best Whisky gongs and Moo Brew’s Best Amber/Dark Ale at the world’s largest annual beer competition, Australian International Beer Awards.

More than just an academic gathering, the CIBD event brought global attention to local innovation in brewing and distilling, and to Lutruwita/ Tasmania’s ability to deliver a global standard conference paired with easy-to-access and immersive site visits. During the conference, attendees experienced exclusive off-site tours, including hop harvesting, distillery experiences and technical tours, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with local growers and producers. Social events, such as a welcome event at Cascade Brewery, were not only a chance to mingle, but further solidified the state’s capacity to connect with delegates on a global stage.

Brewers And Distillers Circular Economy in Action

Lutruwita/Tasmanian is renowned for cross-industry collaboration and partnerships for purpose; businesses that would otherwise compete coming together to innovate or create scale. During the CIBD event, local brewers showcased this in action, illustrating how spent (waste) grain from the distilling process is returned to local farmers as nutrient-rich cattle feed. As the grain is also originally sourced locally, this circularity and regional collaboration is a source of pride across the local community.

BET’s Visionary Program

As new Visionaries are inducted in 2025 and beyond, the ripple effects from events such as the CIBD Conference continues to grow.

Each Visionary is a potential local host and bidding partner, and a source of critical, industry-aligned information and community connection. They bring a wealth of ideas and innovation, reflecting the diversity and depth of Lutruwita/Tasmania’s capabilities – connecting the dots between business events, our people, and place.

Want to learn more about the BET Visionary Program?

Discover more about the BET Visionary Program here

This article was taken from the Business Events Tasmania Magazine – Winter 2025 Edition. For more business event inspiration and news, be sure to check-out the full magazine, available to read for free today.