GABF Members Only Session vs. Other Sessions

And a glass, instead of plastic, sampling cup.

 

I loved the glass sampling cups as it eliminated the cup slapping out of hands routine which led to the ubiquitous "ooooooooohhhhhh".

Also, I believe there are a decent amount of fewer tickets sold and it was apparent last year, it just felt less crowded. Although, with all the attendees being AHA members, they will likely be lining up at the same booths as you.

 

It also seems to be easier to talk to the brewers.

 

Less crowded, glass sampler, more people around who actually know a bit about beer.

 

Anyone know the numbers? I'm sure they sold lot less tickets for the member only session, which can only be a good thing! Plus you get to drink during the day, always a favorite!!

 

4000 less than others sessions.

 

I actually haven't been able to find any numbers on how many attendees are in each specific session. I have been the last 8 years and it seems like that there are slightly less attendees, but it is hard to gauge, since most of the brewers, judges, brewery representatives and media are at the stage watching the awards ceremony instead of wandering around on the beer floor.

I can see why people think it may be 2,000 or 4,000 more or less, but it isn't. Very much in the same way that blogs and other news sites say that 49,000 tickets were sold(because their are 49,000 attendees), it is incorrect. It clearly says that "Capacity is limited to the first 2,000 member purchases", but that is also clearly under the "Members Only Entrance" heading. 2,000 capacity is then combined with the "Two Ticket Limit Per Member Number" and reading>you.

If I had to guess, I would say that each session has about the same attendees. The 2,000 Members Only Session attendees going through the Members Only Entrance, + thousands of Members Only Session attendees going through the regular entrance, + volunteers, brewery reps, judges, and journalists.


CN: Members session is worth attending because a significant portion of brewery representatives will be watching the awards ceremony for the 90 minutes-ish instead of wandering booth to booth.

 

I think the award ceremony is somewhere else at a different time this year. I am confused by this

 

Damn, you're right. I guess that specific benefit of the Members Only Session is no more.

 

What the BA is trying to do is make sure a brewer is at their booth at all times during the MO session. When the awards started, everyone left their booths. The BA is assuming more people will be happy being able to talk to brewers than will miss watching a bunch of brewers throw their shoulders out patting themselves on the back.

 

I asked the AHA/BA a while back, I can't remember if it was last year or the year before. They told me 12,000 per session and that the members-only has 4,000 less...meaning 8,000. That would add up to 44,000...not the 49,000 they claim. But...close. Maybe things have changed and it's 13,250/9,250? With 60 more booths, makes sense they would allow more people.

 

I remember asking a similar question a couple of years ago and got the same answer. I don't think you're too far off.

 

I looked at the fine print on the GABF website. 49000 attendees includes:ticket holders, brewers and reps, judges and volunteers. So I could see that adding up to an additional 5000 people.

 

Good to here that it is a third smaller than the other sessions.

 

I wonder if we will get a list of winners at the door? If so all the medal winning booths will be jammed right away instead of as they win the medals.

 

I believe that they release the winners via pdf but not print. So I was in line trying to look up winners on my phone last year which was a pain but did the trick.