The Brewers Association (BA) recently dropped us a line announcing the launch of its travel grant program for its always busy Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) through which 25 winners will receive up to $1,500 in support for eligible travel expenses. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee has been hatching the idea for the program for more than two years.
“We’ve seen firsthand the professional development benefits that come from the emerging leaders of our staff who attend and present at CBC,” said Heather Sanborn, DEI committee member and co-owner of Rising Tide Brewing Co in Portland, Maine. “As a small brewery located in a corner of the country, the cost of sending employees to CBC can be prohibitive. A program like this could help breweries like ours reduce that barrier.
The timing of the program launch follows two eventful years for the BA DEI team. “Now that we have been able to establish the internal BA DEI infrastructure, build and recruit the The four sub-commissions of the DEI commissionlaunch it Mentorship programand develop the THRIVE Educational Track and Pre-Conference Workshop at CBC, we can turn our attention to certain items on our wish list,” said Dr. J Jackson-Beckham, BA Equity & Inclusion Partner. “CBC is such an impactful event and we are excited to pursue some of the opportunities it presents.
Eligibility for CBC Travel Grants
CBC’s travel grant program will support the goals of bringing new voices to the conference speaker roster and enabling more people who are not brewery owners or leaders in production roles to attend. CBC. To be eligible to apply for the CBC Travel Grant, applicants must be employed by a proposed brewery that is a member of the Brewers Association or a brewery that produces less than 15,000 barrels. The following are examples of eligible brewery types:
- Contract brand/Alternate company
- Microbrewery
- Dining room
- Brewery
“Many people employed by Brewers Association member breweries don’t realize that as employees they are part of that membership and can directly access BA resources. They just need to be added to their brewery’s list,” says Sarah Billiu, BA Membership Manager. “Those interested should contact their brewery’s member admin to be added or they can simply contact the BA Membership Department. We are here to help you.
Due to limited grant availability, preference will be given to eligible applicants whose seminar proposal has been accepted for the Craft Brewers Conference, new attendees, and those who have encountered cultural or situational barriers to attending the conference. .
Members of Philanthropy and Outreach Sub-Committee and DEI Education Subcommittee will begin reviewing grant applications in November. Jennie Olson, Chair of the Philanthropy and Outreach Sub-Committee and Senior Accountant for Arryved, is thrilled to expand the professional opportunities CBC offers to industry members who don’t normally have the opportunity to attend the conference. . She offers, “Regardless of your affiliation with the brewing industry, attending CBC accelerates career growth. The seminars and trade show offer endless educational opportunities, and the networking you do at CBC will prove invaluable for years to come. This is truly the must-attend event for beginners or seasoned pros alike. I work at a brewery technology company and every year I come away with tools to improve myself and therefore improve my business.
Pay it forward
The Brewers Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee invites all members of the craft brewing community to contribute to the CBC Travel Grant fund to support the health and vitality of craft brewing in his outfit. “A more engaged, educated and vibrant community benefits everyone,” says Jackson-Beckham, “Community investments in the future of the industry are key to having positive impacts that last. Be on the lookout for a “Pay it Forward” option when ordering for CBC registration A small contribution could have a huge impact on someone else’s career.
How to register
For more information on how to apply for a CBC Travel Grant, please visit Brewers Association website. For more information on the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, please visit the Craft Brewers Conference website.
