The northwest cider industry converges on Tacoma, Washington this spring for the 2025 NW Cider Symposium. The craft cider industry has been fruitful as of late, as cider weathered the storm of the pandemic better than most and has come out stronger than ever thanks to the guidance of the symposium’s presenters at the Northwest Cider Association (NWCA).

The NW Cider Symposium will take place at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center this March 17th and 18th bringing together cidermakers, growers, marketers, and executives for 2-days of education, community and networking. As an attendee of the last NW Cider Symposium I can attest that this educational and networking heavy event is also a ton of fun with incredible tastings from the cidermakers themselves, pairing events and side and after party’s that make this an event worth traveling for.

Discussion at the Symposium will cover more than two dozen topics from production oriented fruit sourcing, foraging, blending and fermentation and quality control, to updates on the state of the industry, diversity & equity, regulations, labels, marketing, and even how to start your own tasting room.

Mon, 3/17/25

NW Cider Symposium kicks off on Monday, March 17th with fun tasting and community events starting with an open house tour at noon at Schilling Cider’s production facility in Auburn. The festivities then rev up at the pre-party which runs 5-8pm at Tacoma’s Brewery Blocks. Just a short walk from the main downtown hotels, the Brewery Blocks will have all of your cider friends new and old in attendance with lots of ciders on tap and fun activities.

Tues, 3/18/25

The main industry day of events with a trade show, education and workshops that cover trends like orchard health in the PNW, agritourism and tasting rooms, and a general look at the cider industry’s current status and future growth projections. 

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM      Check In & Coffee in the Trade Show
8:15 AM - 8:50 AM      Scion Exchange
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM    Opening Session & Discussion Groups
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM  Workshop Sessions A
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM  Visit the Trade show
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM    Lunch
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM      Workshop Sessions B
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM      Visit the Trade Show
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM      Workshop Sessions C
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM      Cider Happy Hour in the Trade Show

Symposium After Party

One of the most beautiful cider bars in the world will host the official symposium after party on Tuesday, March 18th from 5:30-7:30pm at Cider & Cedar, 744 Market St #102b, Tacoma, WA 98402.

Location:

The 2025 NW Cider Symposium takes place on the third floor of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center at 1500 Commerce Street, right next to the Marriott Tacoma Downtown at 1538 Commerce Street.

Register:

Registration fees vary for specific events, learn more at www.nwcider.com/symposium-2025

Organizers:

The NWCA is a trade non-profit that supports and promotes the cider industry in WA, OR, ID, MT and British Columbia. The previous symposium hosted almost 350 attendees (up nearly 100 attendees from the previous year), including registrants from 11 US states and 4 Canadian provinces, representing 90 cideries and orchards. This event is an opportunity to gather in an effort to learn, grow, connect and celebrate the region’s vibrant cider industry.  The symposium features:

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