Join us March 16 – 17, 2026 in Tacoma, WA
NW CIDER SYMPOSIUM DETAILS
Monday Events
Vashon Cidery Open House
Monday, March 16 12:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Take a trip to beautiful Vashon Island to visit Nashi Orchards and Shawnee Hill Farm. Meet with the makers, tour the orchard, taste cider, and hang out with Symposium attendees.
Learn more & RSVP for the open house. Free for Symposium attendees.
NW Cider Pre Party
Monday, March 16 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: 7 Seas Brewery, 2101 Jefferson Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Raise a glass and kick off the festivities at this year’s lively pre‑event gathering. Mingle, sip cider, and kickstart the connections that will carry beyond the conference. Plus, check out a fun on‑site tattoo pop‑up!
This party is included with Symposium registration and details will be sent to all registrants. Make sure to arrive in Tacoma early enough to join in.
Sponsored by Callis Insurance
Tuesday Events
The Great Northwest Scion Exchange
Tuesday, March 17 8:15 AM – 8:50 AM
Location: Meeting Room 315
Calling all orchardists, aspiring orchardists, and Pomme enthusiasts to join us for The Great Northwest Scion Exchange. Please bring HEALTHY Scion wood of your favorite, most delicious, unique, or interesting apple, pear, or quince fruit trees. Scion wood will be exchanged as well as information about the cultivars and relevant Pomme lore. Plastic bags will be available to take scion wood home.
Come check in for the Symposium at 8:00 am, grab some coffee, and then mingle with fellow tree lovers for 45 minutes. You must be an attendee of the Symposium to participate. While “bring a stick/take a stick” is the general vibe, please note, ALL ARE WELCOME. We encourage anyone who is interested or curious to come join the event. There will be plenty of scion so that no one leaves empty handed. After The Great NW Scion Exchange, we’ve got an excellent track of workshops and discussion groups about growing fruit.
NW Cider Cup Entry Drop Off
Tuesday, March 17 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
Save on shipping costs and drop off your NW Cider Cup entries at the NW Cider Symposium. The Cup opens for entries March 2, 2026 at nwcidercup.com and all ciders must be entered prior to drop off. Pack your cider securely in a sturdy box and drop off your entries when you check in for the Symposium or at lunch time. NWCA will handle the transport and storage until the main receiving window is open (April 27 – May 29).
Swag Swap at Happy Hour
Tuesday, March 17 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Registration Desk
The Swag Swap is your chance to score cool cider gear at the NW Cider Symposium! Bring your branded merchandise like t-shirts, hats, koozies, beanies, and bottle openers. Drop off your items at registration in the morning and you’ll get one ticket for every item you bring. During Happy Hour, you’ll trade your ticket for a new item.
We’ll also have a sticker table open to everyone, so bring a little pile to share.
Location & Parking
Tuesday March 17 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
The Symposium will be held on Floor 3 of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Commerce Street.
Parking is $16 per day at GTCC.
Hotel Location
The Marriott Tacoma Downtown is at 1538 Commerce Street, adjacent to the Convention Center. The rate is $149 per night plus tax. Reserve your room by Feb 15.
Parking is $18 per night at the Marriott.
Tickets & Pricing
Symposium registration includes all events at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on Tuesday March 17, 2026 including lunch, cider happy hour, trade show, and all sessions. The Pre Party on Monday March 16, 2026 is also included in the cost of registration. Email info@nwcider.com to check your membership status.
Speakers, Scholarship Recipients, Volunteers, Students, and Media will receive discount codes.
Early Registration 11/11/25 – 1/31/26:
- Members: $125
- Non-Members: $250
Registration 1/31/26 – 3/4/26
- Members: $175
- Non-Members: $300
Late Registration starts 3/5/26
- Members: $225
- Non-Members: $300
Discounted Tickets
Apply for a Scholarship or Volunteer Position ($0)
Apply for a Student Rate ticket ($150)
Group Registration Discounts ($15 off per registration)
Register 5 or more people from your company and receive $15 per person. The discount applies to paid registrants only (no discount code registrations). Deadline is 2/6/26.
How to receive the group discount:
1. Register 5 or more people under at the same time using the ‘guest registration’ function.
2.After entering everyone’s information select “invoice me.”
3. Email emilybecker@nwcider.com and let her know you registered a group. She’ll apply the discount and send you an invoice to pay.
Refund Policy
A refund request for attendee registration may be made by emailing emilybecker@nwcider.com no later than January 31, 2026. Refunds will be assessed a processing fee of $20. No refund requests will be accepted after 1/31/26.
Important Dates
January 31, 2026
- Early registration deadline
- Scholarship & Volunteer Application deadline
- Refund request deadline
February 15, 2026
- Scholarship recipients must register
- Hotel reservation deadline
March 4, 2026
- Registration deadline
