Northwest Cider Association upcoming events

Cider School (20 Oct 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Unlock new tools to grow and streamline your cider business. This series of virtual workshops provides cideries and orchards technical assistance designed to improve business acumen and operational efficiency.

Join us online Tuesdays at 10 am or watch the recordings at your own pace.

FREE for NWCA Members · $50 for non-members

Welcome to Cider School

Running a successful orchard or cidery requires more than producing exceptional fruit and cider - it also means managing risk in an ever-changing agricultural landscape. Cider School is a first-of-its-kind educational program created specifically for orchardists and cider producers to help build stronger, more resilient businesses.

Developed by the Northwest Cider Association in partnership with industry experts, Cider School provides practical, real-world education on the topics producers identified as most critical to their success: production, financial, marketing, and human risk management. Through webinars, peer learning, one-on-one consulting, and hands-on workshops, participants will gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make informed business decisions, reduce risk, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of their operations.

Whether you're exploring crop insurance, improving your financial management, growing your direct-to-consumer sales, or building resilience for yourself and your team, Cider School offers practical guidance from trusted experts who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the Pacific Northwest cider industry.

October 20

Financial Fundamentals: Building a More Profitable Cidery

What does it really take to build a profitable and financially resilient cider business? Irvine & Company CPAs will provide a practical refresher on financial fundamentals, including Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), margin calculation, and the financial metrics that matter most for business survival. Through sample business profiles and real-world strategies, participants will explore cost-saving opportunities and ways to make stronger financial decisions in today’s market.

After attending the webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for up to 4 hours of consulting with Irvine & Company.

Presenters:

Nick Shepherd, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

Karly Tell, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

November 3

Grow with Confidence: Insurance & Financial Services

Explore practical tools and resources to help protect your orchard and strengthen your business. AgWest Farm Credit will share information on crop insurance, educational resources, and agricultural lending options, with a special focus on the needs of young, beginning, and small producers. Learn what resources are available and how they can help you manage risk, access capital, and build a stronger operation.

Presenters:

George Harris, Livestock and Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Micah Kuenzi Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Kira Sabin, Relationship Manager, AgWest Farm Credit

December 1

A Can-Do Attitude: Making Stable Cider Without SO₂

SO₂ is a proven tool for cider stability, but it can present challenges in cans. This session explores vulnerable windows of cider production and offers practical alternatives for managing microbial spoilage and oxidation.

Presenters:

Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist

Nichola Hall, General Manager- Fermentation and Enology, Scott Laboratories

January 12

Turn Customer Insights into More Visits and Sales

What motivates consumers to visit, engage with, and spend money at farms and cideries? Join OSU Extension to explore new agritourism research on visitor preferences, decision-making, and how consumers want to hear from agricultural businesses. Discover practical ways to use your Google Business Profile, events, and other marketing tools to increase visibility, connect with customers, and give them compelling reasons to visit. Take away research-based strategies you can put to work right away.

Presenter: Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension Agritourism Program Coordinator

January 26

Finding Your Balance: Stress Awareness, Rural Resources, and Mindfulness Tools

Farming and running a cidery can be demanding, with stress affecting personal well-being and safety, communication, and business performance. Participants will identify their primary stressors, recognize early warning signs that impact workflow, and learn where to access rural health resources. The session also includes mindfulness practices designed to improve focus and reduce stress. By integrating awareness with skill‑building, this session provides producers with practical tools that may help prevent costly errors and improve operational performance.

Presenter:

Michelle Markesteyn, Professional Counselor Associate, Willamette Valley Behavioral Health

Attend or watch a virtual session to qualify for consulting on Financial Risk or Production Risk Management. Attendees who register for one of these sessions and complete a short survey (it's not a quiz, we promise!) will be sent instructions on how to sign up for one-on-one consulting with our experts.

Financial Risk - NWCA is heavily subsidizing one-on-one consulting services with Irvine & Co to provide you with practical financial and operational guidance. NWCA members receive up to 4 hours of consulting for $50. Cost for non-members is $100.

Production Risk - Review your insurance options with our partner AgWest at no cost to you.

Ready to go all in on managing risk in your cidery or orchard? Join with a small cohort of your colleagues to form a learning community from October 2026 - June 2027 and receive a complimentary registration to Northwest Cider Symposium and one night hotel stay.

You commit to:

Register & complete pre survey for all virtual workshops
Attend live or watch recordings for all virtual workshops (Oct - Jan)
Complete the short post surveys for each virtual workshops
Attend the NW Cider Symposium (March 16, 2027)
Complete evaluation of NW Cider School to share what you have learned and implemented (May)

To join the learning community or learn more, please email emilybecker@nwcider.com.

Sign up for the entire workshop series: $0 for NWCA members, $50 for non-members

Financial consulting is available separately: $50 for NWCA members · $100 for non-members

Cider School (03 Nov 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Join us online Tuesdays at 10 am or watch the recordings at your own pace.

FREE for NWCA Members · $50 for non-members

Welcome to Cider School

October 20

Financial Fundamentals: Building a More Profitable Cidery

After attending the webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for up to 4 hours of consulting with Irvine & Company.

Presenters:

Nick Shepherd, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

Karly Tell, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

November 3

Grow with Confidence: Insurance & Financial Services

Presenters:

George Harris, Livestock and Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Micah Kuenzi Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Kira Sabin, Relationship Manager, AgWest Farm Credit

December 1

A Can-Do Attitude: Making Stable Cider Without SO₂

Presenters:

Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist

Nichola Hall, General Manager- Fermentation and Enology, Scott Laboratories

January 12

Turn Customer Insights into More Visits and Sales

Presenter: Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension Agritourism Program Coordinator

January 26

Finding Your Balance: Stress Awareness, Rural Resources, and Mindfulness Tools

Presenter:

Michelle Markesteyn, Professional Counselor Associate, Willamette Valley Behavioral Health

Financial Risk - NWCA is heavily subsidizing one-on-one consulting services with Irvine & Co to provide you with practical financial and operational guidance. NWCA members receive up to 4 hours of consulting for $50. Cost for non-members is $100.

Production Risk - Review your insurance options with our partner AgWest at no cost to you.

You commit to:

Register & complete pre survey for all virtual workshops
Attend live or watch recordings for all virtual workshops (Oct - Jan)
Complete the short post surveys for each virtual workshops
Attend the NW Cider Symposium (March 16, 2027)
Complete evaluation of NW Cider School to share what you have learned and implemented (May)

To join the learning community or learn more, please email emilybecker@nwcider.com.

Sign up for the entire workshop series: $0 for NWCA members, $50 for non-members

Financial consulting is available separately: $50 for NWCA members · $100 for non-members

Cider School (01 Dec 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Join us online Tuesdays at 10 am or watch the recordings at your own pace.

FREE for NWCA Members · $50 for non-members

Welcome to Cider School

October 20

Financial Fundamentals: Building a More Profitable Cidery

After attending the webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for up to 4 hours of consulting with Irvine & Company.

Presenters:

Nick Shepherd, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

Karly Tell, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

November 3

Grow with Confidence: Insurance & Financial Services

Presenters:

George Harris, Livestock and Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Micah Kuenzi Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Kira Sabin, Relationship Manager, AgWest Farm Credit

December 1

A Can-Do Attitude: Making Stable Cider Without SO₂

Presenters:

Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist

Nichola Hall, General Manager- Fermentation and Enology, Scott Laboratories

January 12

Turn Customer Insights into More Visits and Sales

Presenter: Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension Agritourism Program Coordinator

January 26

Finding Your Balance: Stress Awareness, Rural Resources, and Mindfulness Tools

Presenter:

Michelle Markesteyn, Professional Counselor Associate, Willamette Valley Behavioral Health

Financial Risk - NWCA is heavily subsidizing one-on-one consulting services with Irvine & Co to provide you with practical financial and operational guidance. NWCA members receive up to 4 hours of consulting for $50. Cost for non-members is $100.

Production Risk - Review your insurance options with our partner AgWest at no cost to you.

You commit to:

Register & complete pre survey for all virtual workshops
Attend live or watch recordings for all virtual workshops (Oct - Jan)
Complete the short post surveys for each virtual workshops
Attend the NW Cider Symposium (March 16, 2027)
Complete evaluation of NW Cider School to share what you have learned and implemented (May)

To join the learning community or learn more, please email emilybecker@nwcider.com.

Sign up for the entire workshop series: $0 for NWCA members, $50 for non-members

Financial consulting is available separately: $50 for NWCA members · $100 for non-members

Cider School (12 Jan 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Join us online Tuesdays at 10 am or watch the recordings at your own pace.

FREE for NWCA Members · $50 for non-members

Welcome to Cider School

October 20

Financial Fundamentals: Building a More Profitable Cidery

After attending the webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for up to 4 hours of consulting with Irvine & Company.

Presenters:

Nick Shepherd, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

Karly Tell, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

November 3

Grow with Confidence: Insurance & Financial Services

Presenters:

George Harris, Livestock and Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Micah Kuenzi Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Kira Sabin, Relationship Manager, AgWest Farm Credit

December 1

A Can-Do Attitude: Making Stable Cider Without SO₂

Presenters:

Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist

Nichola Hall, General Manager- Fermentation and Enology, Scott Laboratories

January 12

Turn Customer Insights into More Visits and Sales

Presenter: Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension Agritourism Program Coordinator

January 26

Finding Your Balance: Stress Awareness, Rural Resources, and Mindfulness Tools

Presenter:

Michelle Markesteyn, Professional Counselor Associate, Willamette Valley Behavioral Health

Financial Risk - NWCA is heavily subsidizing one-on-one consulting services with Irvine & Co to provide you with practical financial and operational guidance. NWCA members receive up to 4 hours of consulting for $50. Cost for non-members is $100.

Production Risk - Review your insurance options with our partner AgWest at no cost to you.

You commit to:

Register & complete pre survey for all virtual workshops
Attend live or watch recordings for all virtual workshops (Oct - Jan)
Complete the short post surveys for each virtual workshops
Attend the NW Cider Symposium (March 16, 2027)
Complete evaluation of NW Cider School to share what you have learned and implemented (May)

To join the learning community or learn more, please email emilybecker@nwcider.com.

Sign up for the entire workshop series: $0 for NWCA members, $50 for non-members

Financial consulting is available separately: $50 for NWCA members · $100 for non-members

Cider School (26 Jan 2027)

Tue, 26 Jan 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Join us online Tuesdays at 10 am or watch the recordings at your own pace.

FREE for NWCA Members · $50 for non-members

Welcome to Cider School

October 20

Financial Fundamentals: Building a More Profitable Cidery

After attending the webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for up to 4 hours of consulting with Irvine & Company.

Presenters:

Nick Shepherd, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

Karly Tell, CPA - Partner, Irvine & Company

November 3

Grow with Confidence: Insurance & Financial Services

Presenters:

George Harris, Livestock and Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Micah Kuenzi Crop Insurance Agent, AgWest Farm Credit

Kira Sabin, Relationship Manager, AgWest Farm Credit

December 1

A Can-Do Attitude: Making Stable Cider Without SO₂

Presenters:

Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist

Nichola Hall, General Manager- Fermentation and Enology, Scott Laboratories

January 12

Turn Customer Insights into More Visits and Sales

Presenter: Audrey Comerford, OSU Extension Agritourism Program Coordinator

January 26

Finding Your Balance: Stress Awareness, Rural Resources, and Mindfulness Tools

Presenter:

Michelle Markesteyn, Professional Counselor Associate, Willamette Valley Behavioral Health

Financial Risk - NWCA is heavily subsidizing one-on-one consulting services with Irvine & Co to provide you with practical financial and operational guidance. NWCA members receive up to 4 hours of consulting for $50. Cost for non-members is $100.

Production Risk - Review your insurance options with our partner AgWest at no cost to you.

You commit to:

Register & complete pre survey for all virtual workshops
Attend live or watch recordings for all virtual workshops (Oct - Jan)
Complete the short post surveys for each virtual workshops
Attend the NW Cider Symposium (March 16, 2027)
Complete evaluation of NW Cider School to share what you have learned and implemented (May)

To join the learning community or learn more, please email emilybecker@nwcider.com.

Sign up for the entire workshop series: $0 for NWCA members, $50 for non-members

Financial consulting is available separately: $50 for NWCA members · $100 for non-members

Trade Show Vendor Registration, NW Cider Symposium 2027 (15 Mar 2027)

Mon, 15 Mar 2027 07:00:00 GMT

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Northwest Cider Symposium on March 16, 2027 as a Trade Show Vendor.

Download and read the Exhibitor Guide prior to registering.

NWCA Members: Log in before registering to reveal member pricing.

Registration Options

Each 8’ x 10’ pipe-and-drape booth is $880 and includes:

2 Symposium registration passes for exhibitors
One 8’ draped and skirted table, 2 chairs, trash can
Wi-fi
Complimentary receiving of shipments within one week of show

Please register both of your booth staff now using the "Add a Guest" option on the following pages. If you want to register additional staff, please email emilybecker@nwcider.com

Double Booth

A limited number of double sized booths are available. Double booths are 8' x 20'. Select the Double Booth registration type. Only available for current NWCA Members.

If you purchase a double booth, you have the option to Add On a Cider Bar to your booth for $500. During Happy Hour, NWCA members will serve cider to attendees in your booth.

Sponsorships

View NWCA's 2027 Sponsorship Opportunities. Get in touch with emilybecker@nwcider.com to discuss Symposium options and how to get more exposure to cidermakers throughout the year.

Event Details

The Symposium Trade Show will be held in person on Tuesday, March 16 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. Vendor set up is on Monday, March 15.

Reserve your room at the Marriott Tacoma Downtown by 2/15/27.

Learn more about the Symposium.

NWCA Membership

An active NWCA Allied Supplier Membership current at the time of the Symposium is required in order to be a vendor. If you are not currently a member or need to renew your membership, you can purchase or renew your membership while signing up for the trade show. If you are a member, log in first to reveal member pricing.

Learn more about the Symposium and make your hotel reservation at https://www.nwcider.com/symposium-2027/

Northwest Cider Association upcoming events

Cider School (20 Oct 2026)

Welcome to Cider School

Virtual Workshop sESSIONS

One-on-One Consulting Services

Join the Cider School Learning Community

Cost

Cider School (03 Nov 2026)

Welcome to Cider School

Virtual Workshop sESSIONS

One-on-One Consulting Services

Join the Cider School Learning Community

Cost

Cider School (01 Dec 2026)

Welcome to Cider School

Virtual Workshop sESSIONS

One-on-One Consulting Services

Join the Cider School Learning Community

Cost

Cider School (12 Jan 2027)

Welcome to Cider School

Virtual Workshop sESSIONS

One-on-One Consulting Services

Join the Cider School Learning Community

Cost

Cider School (26 Jan 2027)

Welcome to Cider School

Virtual Workshop sESSIONS

One-on-One Consulting Services

Join the Cider School Learning Community

Cost

Trade Show Vendor Registration, NW Cider Symposium 2027 (15 Mar 2027)