This week Zephyr Conferences team member, Ryan Newhouse, put miles on his boots to network at the 2018 Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Getting to shake hands with (literally) hundreds of folks in the craft beer industry was both the purpose and the highlight of the trip. Special shout-outs to Promote the Brew, RadCraft, and Dave Rohrer.
What was learned at CBC?
- There is a lot of technology available to brewers.
- The beer community is close, friendly, and eager to make great beer.
- Everyone is excited to visit Boise, Idaho, for #BMTC19.
- Dogfish Head is pulling out all the stops for our pre-con trip in ways they’ve never done, essentially offering BBC private experiences at every part of their facility.
- We need more diversity in beer, in every single corner of the industry.
- If you want to be a beer writer, do your homework (not just drinking homework), but reading, meeting, and subscribing to the publications for which you want to write.
On the final day of the CBC, Ryan attended the NAGBW Symposium at Yazoo Brewing. Scroll through the tweets from that morning for a recap of what was covered by the panels below: @BeerBloggers
Panel 1: Beyond the Byline
You’ve been published in a newspaper or magazine, so what’s next? We talk book publishing and podcasting.
Panelists:
– Sarah Freeman, editor/podcast host, October
– Stan Hieronymus, author of Brewing Local, For the Love of Hops, and others.
– Kristi Switzer, publisher, Brewers Publications
Panel 2: Industry Roundtable
Hear from industry pros about what’s on their mind and pressing topics in beer.
Panelists:
– Jeremy Danner, ambassador brewer, Boulevard Brewing
– Brandon Jones, brewer and head of sour and barrel-aging program, Yazoo Brewing
– Julie Verratti, co-founder, Denizens Brewing and chair, Brewers Association Diversity Committee
– Leah Wong Ashburn, family owner and president, Highland Brewing and 2018 semi-finalist in James Beard Foundation Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional category
Panel 3: Editor’s Roundtable
Leaders from industry publications share insights on trends, how to pitch stories, tips on writing and more.
Panelists:
– John Holl, senior editor, Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine
– Ben Keene, editorial director, Beer Advocate Magazine
– Austin L. Ray, editorial director, Good Beer Hunting
And now for the winner of the Diversity in Beer Writing Grant…
The goal of this grant is to highlight the value of stories that can showcase diversity and inclusion – in all its forms and challenges – within beer. To best align with this goal, and to support a growing collection of writers that have not traditionally been represented covering the beer industry, those who identify as women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The winner of the grant will receive a cash stipend for completed work, which will be published on CraftBeer.com.
Congratulations to Rebecca Johnson – who will write a 2,000-word piece on “How Brewers are Creating Safe Spaces and Inclusion for the LGBT Community.”
