This post is the first in a series of posts called, “Get to Know a Brewers Association Committee.” Keep an eye out for more committee highlights like this in the coming months.

“Working together as an organization helps us all grow our individual businesses.”

Fred Matt, Saranac/Matt Brewing

Meet the Market Development Committee

Small, independent craft brewers are dependent on an expansive network of individuals and businesses to exist, grow, and succeed. The Brewers Association (BA) Market Develop Committee (we call it “MDC” for short) works to help brewers be valuable partners to members of the wholesale and retail spaces. The Market Development Committee has 15 committee members and is co-chaired by Garrett Marrero of Maui Brewing and Fred Matt of Saranac/Matt Brewing Co.

“As craft beer has developed over the years, our focus has evolved but our mission has remained the same: to drive awareness and gain support from both the distributor and retailers for craft beer,” says Fred Matt. “Working together as an organization helps us all grow our individual businesses.”

The committee advocates for strong brewer, wholesaler, and retailer relationships through the BA Insider email. It organizes and participates in various tradeshows, like the National Accounts Craft Expo held during the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). It also guides some of the development of the BA Retail Ambassador position held by Tom McGinty of Seismic Brewing.

“As a new member, I am quickly learning a lot about the Market Development Committee, and feel I can offer insight and a voice for the smaller packaging breweries that make up our membership.”

Pam Brulotte, Icicle Brewing

Like all BA committees, the MDC meets on a regular basis to track the progress of its efforts and discuss ideas and tactics.

“As a new member, I am quickly learning a lot about the Market Development Committee, and feel I can offer insight and a voice for the smaller packaging breweries that make up our membership,” says Pam Brulotte of Icicle Brewing.

“The Brewers Association plays such an integral role in our industry, from advocacy to marketing and everything in between,” adds Ska Brewing’s Kristen Muraro. “Being able to represent Ska Brewing and participate on the Market Development Committee has been a great experience and has proved to be very valuable as a BA member brewery.”

Market Development Committee Initiatives

Promoting awareness of the BA’s independent seal has been at the forefront of the MDC’s discussions and activities in 2019. Communicating the mark’s value to wholesalers and retailers is a focus of the ambassador work of Tom McGinty.

“The Brewers Association plays such an integral role in our industry, from advocacy to marketing and everything in between.”

Kristen Muraro, Ska Brewing

“The independent craft brewer seal’s value in the marketplace is important as a member of the Brewers Association,” says Brulotte. “I am honored to be involved in any way I can to support the strength of the organization and the excellent work it does on behalf of small and independent breweries.”

Additionally, the MDC is working to welcome key account buyers to GABF with its National Accounts Craft Expo on Thursday, October 3. The mini-trade event highlights beers from small and independent craft brewers to retailers who come in town for the festival.

Interested in Joining a BA Committee?

Brewers Association committees help shape and strategize the priorities for your association. Through committees, new ideas are formed, and the effort of the many talented brewery and guild individuals can be carried directly to the Board of Directors through its co-chairs. Additionally, committee work is a pre-requisite for service on the BA Board, as it acquaints members more deeply with BA values and projects.

While committees are capped to ensure a useful working group size, there are often opportunities for committees to welcome new members. Do you or someone at your brewery have the desire and skills necessary to serve on one of the Brewers Association’s committees? Contact Marc Preo with any questions or to show interest in committee participation.