1. Guild Activities

BA Represents Small Brewers During Presentation to Western Governors

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Acacia serves as Brewers Guilds Manager on the Brewers Association Government Affairs team. Acacia's focus is on supporting organizational development of small non-profit U.S. state and regional brewers trade associations (also known as brewers guilds). Currently based out of Missoula, Montana, Acacia’s roles include crisscrossing the country participating in guild member and board meetings, climbing Capitol Hill, contributing to various national and international beer conferences, attending association management and regulatory conferences, and of course, reveling at beer festivals nation-wide.

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This June, the Brewers Association was invited to serve on a panel at the Western Governors Conference. The meeting is orchestrated annually by the Western Governors Association and brings up to 19 Governors together each year to engage in public discussions on the most significant issues facing the West. Held at the doorstep of Glacier National Park in Whitefish, Mont., the conference was hosted by the current Association Chair Governor Steve Bullock.

I joined 10 western state Governors on stage, along with Kettlehouse founder, Tim O’Leary and founder of Headframe Spirits, John McKee, where we presented to more than two hundred attendees a discussion on the economic force of the brewing industry. The panel was moderated by Nevada’s Governor Brian Sandoval.

The conference also included compelling keynotes from pollster Frank Luntz, alpinist Conrad Anker, and an address by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. The following day, Academy-award winning actor, Jeff Bridges joined the Governors for a conversation about his work as national spokesperson for the No Kid Hungry campaign.

(MORE: Brewers Association Releases 2017 Beer Style Guidelines)

I received much positive feedback from attendees throughout the day, everyone appreciated the panel–interest in our industry was high, and insights were enlightening for all. The attendees loved the statistics demonstrating the positive impact small brewers have on communities, agriculture, tourism, and the economy. Our presence definitely raised the awareness of the importance of small independent brewery businesses.

Learn more about the Western Governors Conference.