News Releases

Craft Beverage Entrepreneur’s Workshop Planned for Michigan Producers (Grand Rapids – Feb 12)

The Craft Beverage Education Association will bring its one-day educational workshop for in-planners to the Grand Rapids Doubletree Airport on February 12. The workshop is geared toward helping new craft beverage businesses navigate the complexities of startup. Registration is currently open—early-bird rate of $119 ends January 22. CBEA is planning similar workshops for cities across the country.

This educational workshop is a must-attend for anyone considering – or in the early stages of establishing – their own craft beverage business. The full-day, hands-on discussions focus on beer, wine, spirits, cider and mead producers.

“We will walk you through how to make the ‘big decision’ to move forward with your plans, the legal considerations, marketing and distribution issues and preparation for future growth,” says Tracy Wahler, Executive Director of the Craft Beverage Education Association.

Speakers include representatives from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, distributors and producers who have recently begun operations in Michigan, as well as those focused on legal and insurance issues.

Participants will be given the opportunity to interact with each other and to take part in roundtable discussions addressing legal, accounting and regulatory issues. Continental breakfast, lunch and an afternoon break are included in the registration fee. Registration and programming information are located at www.craftbeverage.org/workshops.

Benefits of attending:

  • Learn the key considerations when launching a craft beverage business
  • Save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in consulting fees and lessons learned
  • Get answers to all of your questions –  in one room, in one day!
  • Network with industry professionals
  • Attain a blueprint for launching your business
  • Use new strategies and connections to take your burgeoning craft beverage business to the next level

The Craft Beverage Education Association (CBEA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping its members from the wine, beer, spirits, cider and mead industries and their “in-planning” counterparts navigate the business of craft and artisanal beverage production. The organization believes this “horizontal” model of learning — spanning all craft beverage segments — leads to enhanced discussion and superior execution of business plans.

“We don’t want to lobby, define, or otherwise politicize,” says Wahler. “Instead, we want to create an environment to help our members succeed in business by understanding the sales, marketing, business development, regulatory, and distribution issues that often hinder a small craft producer.”

www.craftbeverage.org/workshops

This Grand Rapids workshop is made possible thanks to the support of
Experience Grand Rapids, Promote Michigan, PR Pirates,
and members of the Michigan Brewers Guild, Michigan Wine Council,
Michigan Craft Distillers Association and Michigan Cider Association, among others.