1. Guild Activities

California Craft Brewers Association Stays Ahead of the Game as Industry Enters New Era

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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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As the birthplace of craft brewing and home to the first state brewers association, California is a bellwether for the U.S. craft brewing industry. As is the case across the country, California breweries are growing in number and in size. The maturing of the industry means new issues for California brewers and the California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) works tirelessly to stay ahead of them.

In mid-November, 450 brewing industry professionals gathered in Santa Rosa for the two day, bi-annual California Craft Brewers Association Conference. The conference covered topics ranging from the state of the industry, government affairs, quality, distributor and retailer relations, safety and legal considerations.California Craft Brewers Association

Brewers Association Safety Ambassador Matt Stinchfield and Quality Ambassador Dick Cantwell presented at the conference, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these programs in breweries and providing information on the resources available.

In addition to the seminars, the conference offered other educational and networking opportunities. Brewers were able to browse booths of industry vendors at the trade show, schedule one-on-one consultations with industry experts and meet with colleagues during the various receptions.

The conference proved that the CCBA, led by Executive Director Tom McCormick and the nine members of the board of directors, is prepared to guide the industry through changes and challenges.

Upcoming events hosted by the CCBA include the spring conference in April and the California Craft Beer Summit in September. Keep up with the latest from the California Craft Brewers Association by following them on Facebook and Twitter.