i-BEST SCHEDULE 2024

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2024 -

Hosted by Flix Brewhouse, 3800 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa

8:00am - 9:00am Sensory Panel Workshop

  • This hands on sensory panel workshop will be hosted by IBG brewing members. Pre-register using the ADD ON feature on Eventbrite. SPACE IS LIMITED!

9:00 - 10:00am - i-BEST Registration Check-In & Welcome Bags (Pre-Register NOW)

  • Breakfast buffet & Coffee Available

9:00am: I-BEST Trade Show Opens

10:00am: Welcome to all Attendees!

  • Opening Comments from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

10:15am: Keynote Speaker - Brooke Fitzgerald The Restoration Project

“Finding our Way to Enough”

Motivating and encouraging ourselves to be whole and intentional about who we are and how we show up in that each day filled with confidence and courage. When we can build connections and restore our intentions we can inspire action within not only ourselves but with everyone around us. Brooke’s experience as a small business owner will inform this positive workshop.

11:30am - 12:20pm Seminar Session 1

Track 1- Technical Brewing - New Hop Technology for Brewers - Steve Bradt, Hopsteiner

  • Brewers can gain insights into ways they can use advanced hop products, everything from enriched pellets to refined extracts, to enhance profitability and quality. Steve Bradt brings nearly 30 years as a craft brewer and 4 years in the hop industry to to bear on this important topic for brewers in a tightly competitive market with reduced margins.

Track 2- Legal & Business Administration - Finding the Right Ingredients for Success - Christina Moffatt, Small Buiness Consultant

  • Christina is a passionate business professional with a track record of developing strategic initiatives. Her presentation will include cultivating opportunities for growth, long term strategies building on a simple idea, and addressing the pitfalls of doing it all yourself.

Track 3- Marketing & Taprooms & Sales - Is Imposter Syndrome Holding You Back? - Katie Byers, Program Director - Women’s Business Center, Iowa Center for Economic Success

  • We've all felt imposter syndrome at one time or another (especially if you are a woman). Regardless of the size of your business, don't let those feelings sabotage your success and hold you back. Take your small business seriously and learn how to get your business ready for future opportunities.

  • This seminar is part of Pink Boots Conversations- topics and discussions to support women and non-binary members of the brewing community advance their careers.

12:30pm: Lunch, Networking & Trade Show

- Lunch and Trade Show are included with registration!

12:45pm: The Vorlauf Hour IBG podcast recording sessions

  • Interested in being featured on the podcast? Email thevorlaufhour@iowabeer.org

1:00 - 3:00pm: Iowa Dept. of Health and Human Services “Office Hours” at IBEST

  • A team from the IA Dept. of Health and Human Services will be onsite to answer any questions about hemp derived beverages and CBD regulation in Iowa. Bring your questions along and get 1 on 1 answers from Iowa regulators!

  • Find these experts at a reserved table in the pub area!

1:30pm - 2:20pm Seminar Session 2

Track 1- Technical Brewing - Going Gluten Free: What Breweries Need to Know - Iowa State University Midwest Grape and Wine Institute

  • With growing interest from consumers and into gluten free options, breweries need best practices in place. Hear from the talented team at ISU about the science, process, and considerations around this product.

Track 2- Legal & Business Administration - Updates and Emerging Topics: IA Dept of Revenue and Alcohol Beverages Division, Tyler Ackerson & Chuck Crabtree

  • This annual conference favorite highlights Iowa’s regulators and experts for alcohol laws and licensing. Join this session to hear about implementation of new laws, updates to systems, and to ask your questions!

Track 3- Marketing, Taprooms, & Sales - Timeless Taproom Tactics - Derek Smith, Small Batch Standard

  • It’s no secret that for most breweries, the lion’s share of the profit comes from the taproom. But even so, many are operating far below their potential. In fact, our data reveals that some are generating anywhere between 2-5x the profit of their local competition! So how can the “everyday brewery” bridge the gap? In this session, we’ll uncover why this is and provide practical guidelines that any taproom can use to maximize profit and success

2:45pm - 3:40pm Seminar Session 3

Track 1- Technical Brewing - Water, Water Everywhere - Panel Discussion on Water Issues & Partnerships for Brewers, Joe Bolick, IA Water Reduction Center (Moderator); Evan Brehm, IA Soybean Association; Jeff Mitchell, Des Moines Water Works

  • Without Iowa water, there is no Iowa beer. Our panel of water and agricultural experts will share updates on small grains farming, resources for breweries, and the programs in place to insure availability of clean abundant water. Breweries will gain knowledge about water chemistry, their local utilities, and how to best use this critical ingredient.

Track 2- Legal & Business Administration - Rethink Culture:  A Collective Approach to People Ops, Chelsea Stoll, Human Resources Expert

  • In this presentation you’ll learn how simple shifts in leadership style and people operations will lead to a team whose goal is the collective good. Attendees will learn how care for employees drives gains in customer service, employee retention and engagement, along with a direct increase in profitability!

Track 3- Marketing & Taprooms & Sales - Branding Done Better: 5 Tips for Your Brand Communications, Rachel Abel & Melissa Carlson, 818 a tiny design empire

  • Designed to help established breweries elevate their brand strategy. Branding experts will share ways to make your brand work harder for you by refining your target audience, sharpening your brand voice, and leveraging software tools to better communicate with new and loyal customers. Learn practical, actionable steps to strengthen your brewery's presence and stand out in a competitive market.

4pm - 4:45pm Seminar Session 4

Track 1- Technical Brewing - Using COAs to Become a Malt Whisperer, Dan Bies, Briess Ingredients

  • This presentation will combine malt visuals and attributes with data to teach brewers how to use their malt to the best results. Attendees will gain knowledge for preemptive troubleshooting as well as hear about cutting edge techniques. Data presented will help brewers solve some of the mysteries of using malt.

Track 2- Legal & Business Administration - Life is Better with a Lawyer: Legal Guidance for Every Step of a Brewery’s Life Cycle, BrownWinick Law Firm      

  • Attendees will gain legal knowledge on the critical steps of a brewery’s life cycle. From finding financing to start up or expand, to decisions on distribution, to branding trademarks and taproom licenses. And finally, critical concepts in succession planning during the sale or purchase of a brewery. Experts from the BrownWinick Law Firm will share their legal knowledge and guidance valuable for any brewery.

Track 3- Marketing & Taprooms & Sales - Profitable Promo: Making Money from Your Merch, Emily Neville, Shore Up Supply

  • Emily Neville will bring her board experience developing and crafting merch to this presentation. In this practical presentation, members will learn why merch sales go stagnant and how you can revive your program to bring revenue and attention to your brewery brand.

5:00pm: 2024 Iowa Ambassador of Craft Awards Presentation - Celebrate your Community: the Iowa Ambassador of Craft Award recognizes those who have had a positive, lasting impact on the Iowa brewing industry and community.

  • Awards will be presented to the 2024 Recipients of the NEW Iowa Ambassador of Craft award

  • Information and nomination form can be found HERE

5:30 - 7:30pm: i-BEST Social, 515 Brewing, 7700 University Ave., Clive - Sponsored by BrownWinick Law Firm

All attendees, vendors and allied partners welcome to join for this social!

  • Join us to toast a successful I-BEST and trade notes with your industry peers!

  • Special glassware donated by IBG Member Boelter.

  • Members are free to bring beer to share in limited amounts!

    Thanks to IBG Member 515 Brewing for their gracious hospitality!