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It’s crazy to believe that 2016 is almost at a close. Although there still is much to accomplish before 2017 arrives, the latest trends already are popping up. In the beverage market, much attention usually is given to the finished products because, as many will tell you, taste is king. However, one must not overlook the upcoming trends in packaging attributes.

Although I regularly use Facebook, like many baby boomers, I am not currently immersed in Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms that increasingly are being used by beverage companies to communicate and connect with consumers in real time.

Every segment in the beverage industry experiences constant change syndrome (CCS) at various times during product processing, packaging production, warehousing, pre-distribution and distribution as the supply chain unfolds each operating day.

With my college roommates getting married next year, I have made it my bridesmaids’ duty to help the bride-to-be get in shape before her big day. We’ve been using our FitBit app to help each other stay motivated and exercise, but cutting back on calories consumed also has been an important part of my personal goal. However, this has been more challenging than I anticipated, as I often desire a mid-day refreshing kick of energy.

At the end of September, Beverage Industry’s parent company BNP Media acquired Beverage World as well as its successful and well-attended BevOps Fleet Summit. Through this acquisition, the BNP Media Events team now will manage and produce the BevOps Fleet Summit, while Beverage World’s digital and print properties ceased operations, with October being the final print publication.

Throughout the supply chain, materials movement (logistics) is a vital and operating-cost consuming issue. This is especially true in the beverage market because once a case of a beverage is packaged, it is actually available for the consumer; however, realistically, the case is handled many times before it reaches its final destination on store shelves. There is no value added by any movement beyond being placed in storage or loaded directly for delivery.

It’s an exciting time for those who love technology. As new advancements are released, it’s also exciting to see how they are impacting marketing. Alcohol and non-alcohol brands, alike, have been utilizing various digital platforms to educate, communicate and market to consumers. Recently, one particular effort caught my eye.

It’s October, which is by far the best sports month of the year in my opinion. Baseball playoffs are in full swing, the weekends are packed with collegiate and professional football games, and basketball and hockey start off their seasons. If you are like my husband and I, getting family and friends together for sporting events is a common weekend activity. Although we enjoy having people at our home or going to their homes, once in a while, it is nice to watch games at restaurant or sports bar among so many other sports fans.