In an industry driven by grassroots grit, passion, and what at times feels like flying by the seat of your pants, professional development often takes a backseat to production schedules and tight budgets. But staying competitive and keeping your staff inspired doesn’t require expensive conferences or high-ticket programs. This session explores how breweries of all sizes—especially small and independent operations—can embrace professional growth on a shoestring budget.

We’ll dive into practical, scalable strategies for skill-building, staff retention, and team morale that don’t break the bank. From peer-to-peer learning and free resources to low-cost certifications and mentorship models, attendees will walk away with actionable tools to grow their teams and invest in better informed staff.

Because in beer, just like in brewing, better outcomes come from continuous refinement—and you don’t need a million-dollar system to make a damn good pint.

Panelists:

• Aaron Gore (Beer30 by The 5th Ingredient)
• Chris Leguizamon (Fonta Flora Brewery)
• Ryan Mayfield (Craft Leadership)

Moderator: Cat Pearce (Raleigh Brewing

Join us in person for CBP Connects New Orleans

December 8–10, 2025

It’s never been more important to connect: https://cbpconnects.com/