An Unmasked Governor Janet T. Mills (D), the First Woman Governor of Maine, Addressed the Full Summit at the Holiday Inn, Portland, Early This Morning.
The 6th Annual New England Craft Brew Summit set a new record for registration today according to Sean Sullivan, Maine Brewers Guild, Executive Director. Six hundred and twenty-five (625) people registered which is more than two years ago, just before the pandemic pause took place. The 6th Annual Summit took place at the Holiday Inn, Portland.
Governor Janet T. Mills(D) who addressed the full Summit early this morning congratulated Maine’s 160 craft breweries on surviving during the challenges brought on by the pandemic of the last two years. Challenges to breweries the Governo outlined in her talk included workforce shortage and some of the steps taken by her administration to alleviate that long-standing Maine problem and the rising cost of fossil fuels from which we need to wean the state. The fact that Maine is the most dependent state in the country dependant on fossil fuel is not a new fact. But one that the Governor emphasized at the morning session. during her talk.
The Governor repeated that the National Governor’s Association meeting will be held in Portland in July. The Portland Holiday Inn will certainly be part of that meeting.
Dan Kleban, co-founder of the Maine Beer Company and an unemployed attorney, was the keynote speaker for the Summit following Governor Mills’ talk. “Holy Crap. We need to pat ourselves on the back. We did not know if we would survive the pandemic,” Dan’s remarks began. His back story began in 2008 when he lost his posiion with a law firm in downtown Portland. Home breweing had long been his hobby. His account of the beginning of Maine Beer Company was laced with humor as well as words of wisdom for any aspiring entrepreneur. The company’s first customer was Novares Res Bier Cafe, in the Old Port of Portland. “Establishing a tasting room was one of the most important things we ever did. It was a chance to tell our story,” Dan said. “Treat your employees well and they will treat you well.”. Following his entertaining and informative talk, the attendees broke up into workshops of their choice and recommended by the brewery industry members itself.
A workshop attended by this blogger was run by Matt Morrow whose focus was on determining what data points are important for your tap room. It was very well attended. Morrow said that “tap rooms are where money is made.” He said that “metrics often fall by the wayside because they are not a priority.” Loyalty Programs are popular because people want to be part of something. “We all crave connections,” he said. “Discovering what percentage of your business is attributable to merchandise can be a huge boost to your brewery bottom line.” This workshop was chocked full of data point tips that go well beyond this blogger’s business acumen!
Prevention Action Change, a Portland based company owned by Clara Porter, was the only workshop that Sullivan paid to present. to Summit goers. The twenty year old company “works to counter harassment, assault and abuse through safety strategies, verbal and physical skills, increased confidence and awareness and the promotion of healing and growth,” according to Porte. A certified self defense instructor with the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation and the Center for Anti-Violence Education. Porter noted that over the past two plus years there has been increase in harassment occurring at breweries across the state. Attendees to the late morning workshop suggested “one liners” they employ at work to de-escakate situations before they become more complicated. It can be hard to intervene in situations for numerous reasons attendees said. “Stick to a message and repeat it,” Porter recommended. “But don’t make it personal.”. For more information on what Prevention Action Change can offer your brewery, email: info@pacmaine.com and/or visit www.pacmaine.com.
At lunch, Tim Corcoran, of Channel Marker Brewery, Beverly, Massachusetts, said he had attended the workshop on “Supporting Mental Health in the Craft Beer Industry” and found it helpful. “I attended the mental health forum because as an owner of a brewery I wear many hats. There are no clear boundaries between work and personal life. Burnout is real. Even when doing something you love, burnout can occur.”
This blogger took numerous photographs at the Summit of the keynote speaker Kleban, workshop leaders Porter and Morrow, and Executive Director Sean Sulllivan. For an unknown reason, this blogger regrets she was unable to post them on this blog. Apologies to all. Will keep working at it to see if the issue can be resolved.
(Special thanks to Leah Jones, of Allagash, for helping me find my car in the Holiday Inn Parking garage this afternoon after lunch. You are a champ, Leah)!