The collaboration, "Crafting Futures," is poised to deliver
educational training guided by an advisory board to create future
programming.
PORTLAND, Maine, May 21, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The University of New
England (UNE) has announced it is partnering with craft
beverage experts along with beer and distillery guilds to provide
industry-specific training for staff across the U.S.
Beth
Taylor-Nolan, Ed.D., dean of UNE Online, said, "We are
excited about this new alliance and the opportunity to support the
craft beverage industry. UNE is well positioned to deliver quality
education in collaboration with our industry partners."
Recognizing the dynamic shifts in the brewing and distilling
sectors, the collaboration, "Crafting Futures," seeks to address
the evolving needs of the craft beverage industry and support the
continued growth of these sectors.
"Crafting Futures" introduces a tailored curriculum designed to
equip industry professionals with the skills and knowledge needed
to navigate the evolving craft beverage landscape.
Recognizing the diverse needs of industry professionals, the
program will offer flexible learning models, including online
courses, workshops, and immersive experiences. This accessibility
ensures that individuals across the industry spectrum can benefit
from the program.
Beth Taylor-Nolan, Ed.D., dean of
UNE Online, said, "We are excited about this new alliance and the
opportunity to support the craft beverage industry. UNE is well
positioned to deliver quality education in collaboration with our
industry partners, bringing practical, affordable, and accessible
training to brewery and distillery owners, managers, and staff on
topics that will help them address current challenges and prepare
for future needs."
"Over the last five years, the craft beverage sector has
experienced dramatic changes," said UNE Online Program Developer,
Gregory Dunkling, M.A. "The
University of New England, working
closely with an advisory board, will address critical issues that
senior staff in breweries and distilleries face today. Themes will
include understanding brewery/distillery finance, how to best grow
sales in a crowded market, and, alternatively, explore possible
future merger and exit strategies."
Dunkling added, "Our program will help senior staff determine
the best path forward with the guidance of some of the most
respected minds in the industry serving as mentors, along with
valuable peer-to-peer insights. Meanwhile, the craft distilling
sector is growing and technical training will be offered to assure
high quality products."
The current advisory board for the "Crafting Futures"
Collaboration includes Heather
Pilkington, Managing Director and CEO, First Key Consulting,
the world's leading brewing and beverage industry consulting firm;
Matt McLaughlin, Esq., of
Jackson, Mississippi, whose firm
focuses on beverage law; Michelle
Forster, former executive director of the Wyoming Brewers'
Guild; Julie Rhodes, president of
Not Your Hobby Marketing of Colorado; Laura
Lodge, owner/strategic advisor of Customized Craft Beer
Program; Kary Shumway, chief
financial officer of Wormtown Brewery, a certified public
accountant, and founder of Craft Brewery Financial Training and the
Beer Business Finance Association; and John
Reynolds, president of BrewPlan, Inc. of Wisconsin.
"'Crafting Futures' is launching at a critical time in the
evolution of both distilling and brewing, when change is happening
so rapidly that we need to work together to navigate effectively,"
Lodge said. "This kind of resource, with a team who is actively
listening to see what's needed, is vital to ensure smart planning
and growth within both, albeit connected, industries."
McLaughlin added, "I am honored to be a part of such a
distinguished group of beverage professionals committed to sharing
knowledge and experience with the broader craft community. As a
trusted advisor to hundreds of breweries throughout the United States and a brewery founder and
owner, I look forward to helping the University of New England and its team curate
content for this program."
The "Crafting Futures" collaboration marks a turning point for
the brewing and distilling industries, setting a new standard for
education and innovation. The program is set to launch in May, with
applications opening soon. For more information, visit Crafting
Futures website.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW
ENGLAND
The University of New England is
Maine's largest private
university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in
Tangier, Morocco, and an array of
flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and
supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering
students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges.
We are the state's top provider of health professionals and home to
Maine's only medical and dental
colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health
care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine
sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the
humanities, and the arts. Visit http://www.une.edu.
Media Contact
Angie Helton, UNE Online,
2076530365, angie@nemediaassociates.com,
https://online.une.edu/continuing-education/trainings-workshops/the-brewery-financial-training-program/
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SOURCE The University of New
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