"A rising tide raises all boats."

It's a phrase that has been echoed time and time again as craft beer rose from a handful of scrappy, free-thinking mavericks into an industry filled with passionate converts seeking to make their own way within it. And it is a phrase that has so often been true, as collaboration and community brought IPAs and Saisons out of the bottle shop and into the mainstream. Powerful tides, however, also create waves.

As craft beer's growth has slowed, even declined, in recent years it is easy to feel as though the industry as a whole is in danger of being crashed upon the rocks and destroyed completely. However, waves move fast, and can create opportunity as much as they can create destruction.

Long-time industry advocate Aaron MJ Gore will explore the reasons behind the current state of craft beer, explaining some of the forces at play and using learnings from other industries to give a hint at what may be coming next. More importantly, he will explore how brewery owners can help to navigate these changes, riding the wave instead of being crushed beneath it, and moving forward toward future success not only for their own companies, but for the industry at large.

Key Takeaways:

1. Attendees will learn about how to make strategic decisions in a time of uncertainty.

2. Attendees will learn about the concept of the technology adoption curve and how it applies to craft beer.

3. Attendees will learn how to respond to a maturing market, and why there's reason not only for hope, but for true optimism.

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In this session, Peggy Baudon will talk about crushing barriers to success in wine & beverage certifications, and teach us how to use brain-science based study skills to rock your next exam. 

Exams for wine & beverage certifications can be daunting, but this session is all about empowering people with effective study skills, tools, and strategies that are based on brain science. 

The more we know about how learning works, the more power we wield over our studying success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Learn 2 key strategies to improve memory retention while studying.

2. Learn 2 key strategies to supercharge the brain’s needs for energy while studying.

3. Learn 2 key strategies that supercharge the brain’s ability to focus and concentrate while studying.

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Let’s move your business into 2025 with an overview of all you need to know about the major social media marketing channels. 

In this session, Kayla Stinnett will hit all the major updates for each platform and discuss how you can connect, engage, and convert your audience. Topics will include the efficacy of Facebook in 2025, best practices for Instagram, how to effectively create short-form video content, resources to stay up to date on all things social, and more. 

This session will end with a 30-minute Q&A, so have those questions ready!

Key Takeaways:

1. Educate participants on the current state of social media marketing in 2025.

2. Provide tools and resources to simplify social media strategy and stay updated.

3. Inspire actionable steps for consistent and authentic social media engagement.

4. Highlight platform-specific best practices to maximize engagement and conversions.

5. Demonstrate the importance of video content, especially short-form, for modern marketing.

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Why do some people attempt or die by suicide while others do not—even when they share similar struggles? In this session, Kate Hardy takes a deep dive into the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide to explore the complex combination of factors that can lead someone to the edge, with a focused lens on the experiences of female and fem-identifying individuals.

This session will break down the key ingredients that contribute to suicidal behavior—including perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability for suicide—while also highlighting how protective factors like community, connection, purpose, faith of all kinds, and limited access to lethal means can powerfully reduce risk.

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the theory, the unique challenges faced by the fem population, and practical knowledge of resources and interventions designed to support healing, resilience, and hope. Whether you're a person in leadership, an advocate, or ally, this talk will offer tools to help make a meaningful impact.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Protective Factors.

2. A Deeper Understanding of Suicide Risk.

3. Learn about the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide.

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Nitrogen is crucial for yeast health and fermentation, but is often underappreciated in winemaking and adjunct brewing. This session will thoroughly examine the types and sources of nitrogen—both organic (amino acids, peptides, proteins) and inorganic (nitrates, ammonia)—their effectiveness as nutrients, and their impact on yeast performance. Attendees will learn how to manage nitrogen levels to enhance yeast function and achieve better fermentation results. 

This talk has something for beginners and advanced fermenters alike.

Key Takeaways:

1. The critical role of YAN in energy, protein synthesis, metabolism, flavor development, and spoilage.

2. The efficiency of different nitrogen sources, highlighting the advantages and limitations of ammonia vs amino acids.

3. Practical strategies for assessing and adjusting YAN levels throughout fermentation to optimize yeast health and fermentation results.

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UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education is opening brewing education to all by increasing access to those around world, creating accessible content for those with different experiences and learning abilities, and including those who are traditionally underrepresented in the industry. This presentation will cover strategies for being inclusive in education and public communication, including steps that can be taken to make messages accessible for people with limited sight and neurodivergence.

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Various market reports agree that fermented beverage customers demand innovative, quality products, and more engaging experiences than ever before. Surprisingly, one way of addressing all three challenges can be found hiding in yeasts. 

Join award-winning scientist, 5xTED/TEDx speaker, and “microbe wrangler” Anne A. Madden, Ph.D. as she takes audiences on an engaging and educational journey into the ancient relationship between wasps and yeasts that led to her team’s discovery of the first lactic acid yeasts for brewing; yeasts that create tart, flavorful ferments, without bacteria. 

Having traveled from a wasp nest to famed art galleries featuring immersive augmented reality exhibits and the TED stage—and global beer, cider, and sake breweries along the way—Dr. Madden reveals industry-tested marketing strategies for leveraging the unique science, art and story of yeast to engage new audiences, valorize products, and drive sales. Building off of her two decades of experience in creating high-impact science communication strategies blended with her hallmark whimsy, she’ll share tips and free resources enabling you to craft your own creative yeast-based taproom and social media experiences, help you engage the power of awe, and ensure that no matter what, you’ll never think of yeast (or wasps) the same again.

Key Takeaways:

1. Access free marketing resources to educate your audiences about the flavor-filled story of yeast.

2. Learn about the discovery and brewing benefits of lactic acid yeasts (and their surprising connection to wasps and bumblebees!) by learning about Pinnacle Crisp Sour yeast, developed by AB Biotek/Pinnacle and Lachancea LLC.

3. Explore marketing strategies that leverage science communication and art related to yeast to engage diverse audiences, build brands, and support sales.

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Enjoy this discussion about a career journey that spans 40+ years and several continents.

Ann Fahy-Gust will share her story of going from a lab tech to a brewmaster and owner of the successful South by Southeast Minnesota Brewing Co. She's worked with some of the biggest names in the business, like Miller Coors, and has allowed her career path to take her around the world and experience a wide variety of roles. 

There will be ample time for questions, so come prepared to pick her brain!

Key Takeaways:

1. Education Matters

2. Excitement Matters

3. Engagement Matters

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