3 things we learned from CBP Connects St. Louis

Craft Beer Professionals from across the country gathered in St. Louis over June 20-22 for three days of nonstop networking and education. On a feelgood level, everyone arrived shaking hands and left giving hugs. Those who attended described CBP Connects as “intentional, enlightening, and inclusive.” Take a peek to hear about their experience.

So, what did we learn?

We Crave Interaction

Attendees experienced 12 interactive sessions that brought strangers together in team-building activities. The event launched with breakout groups where each “built” a brewery out of the arts and craft supplies provided. Other sessions crowdsourced key performance indicators and demonstrated the power of how we are stronger together.

During the event, speakers dared those in the audience to think outside the box, answer questions, and transform the sessions from your typical college style lecture into true workshops involving everyone in the ballroom. A mini-trade show even made this often intimidating aspects and enjoyable opportunity to interact with engaged industry partners.

We Value Relationships

Many industry events make it difficult for attendees to build meaningful relationships. Crowded taprooms? Overwhelming lecture halls? CBP Connects brought Craft Beer Professionals from 27 states together to learn and grow together. Brewery owners, managers, and industry partners joined for intimate conversations focused on the success of our industry. And the opportunity to enjoy conversation and world-class beers all three nights was a nice little perk.

As Dana Kaluzny, cofounder of Endswell Beer, put it, “Smaller, intimate number of attendees meant more opportunities to get to know people, have meaningful conversations and connections over the course of the days together.”

We Demand Action

Knowledge and data are great, but the true value from industry conferences is walking away with the tools for greater success. Workshop sessions included everything from “Increasing Retails Sales with Strategies KPIs” to “Beer and Balance.” All content provided attendees with insight into how to be a better leader. Attendees left CBP Connects with not just valuable information, but also actionable strategies to apply at their brewery immediately.

CBP Connects will take place next this September 12-14 in Norfolk, VA. There is still time to grab your spot.