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Next Gen 2025: Equipping Your Top Talent to Win
The full agenda is here for the 13th Annual Next Generation Success in Leadership Conference! For over a decade, NBWA’s Next Generation Group has helped emerging distributor leaders sharpen their skills and deliver more wins for their companies.
Next Gen equips your top performers for success, now and in the future.
This year’s action-packed schedule (click here to view by date and time) will cover:
Register Your Team for Next Gen 2025
Driving Efficiency
Winning at the margins is more important than ever for beer and beverage distributors. Next Gen will help your team find ways to boost productivity, improve efficiency and grow your profits.
Limiting Ineffective Distribution
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. (Two Sessions)
Shawn Knoche, Director Revenue & Brand Management, Frank Beer Distributors
Learn to measure and minimize retail losses by collaborating with suppliers and using real market data for smarter distribution targets.
Beyond Revenue: How Grellner Sales Shifted To Profit-Driven Performance
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. (Two Sessions)
Logan Edwards, Sales Operations Manager, Grellner Sales & Service
Discover how shifting from revenue-based to profit-focused commissions drives sales reps’ ownership and results in growth, mix and execution.
Authentic Leadership Meets Intelligent Operations
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 5:50 – 5:45 p.m.
Dan Carter, Director of Sales, Rehrig Pacific Company
Scott Corte, Territory Manager, Beer, Rehrig Pacific Company
Explore how bold leadership and adoption of emerging technologies can transform operations, empower teams and unlock ROI in beer distribution.
Industry Trends
Market, regulations, emerging products — everywhere you look, the landscape for distributors is shifting. NBWA experts will help your team understand how to factor these changes into a successful business strategy.
Industry Insights
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Craig Purser, President and CEO, NBWA
Craig will break down all of the year’s big news impacting beer distributors, as well as look ahead to the trends that will define 2026.
Politics and Policy: Political Insights and Legislative Update
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 8:40 – 9:10 a.m.
Laurie Knight, EVP, Government Affairs, NBWA
Just days after the off-year elections, get a D.C. perspective on the results of several closely watched races and insights into the government shutdown, new dietary guidelines and more.
Hemp-Derived THC Beverages: One Year Later
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Paul Pisano, SVP, Industry Affairs and General Counsel
Dave Christman, VP, State Affairs, NBWA
Last year in Florida we discussed the state legislative landscape for regulation of hemp-derived THC beverages. Now we’ll look at what passed, what stalled and what’s being challenged.
Future-Proof Your Business
Next Gen will help your team see the long view of distribution success, aligning your infrastructure and business plan to face the challenges of tomorrow.
Future-Proofing Beer Distribution: Trends, Decisions, ROI
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 3:50 – 5:15 p.m.
Lester Jones, VP Analytics & Chief Economist, NBWA
Wes Verno, Verno Consulting
In this whirlwind journey through today’s beer distribution landscape, explore economic trends and the key decisions you’ll need to make to stay ahead of the competition.
AI In Action: Practical Strategies For Distributors To Leverage Artificial Intelligence
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 10:20 – 11:15 a.m.
Matt Loidolt, VP of Technology, Encompass Technologies
Lee Pearson, Global VP of Sales, Encompass Technologies
AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a game-changing tool that distributors should be using right now for growth. Learn how distributors can use AI to optimize operations, automate tasks and empower teams.
Building A Resilient Cybersecurity Defense — Digitally Securing Your Business in 2025 and Beyond
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. (Two Sessions)
Zach Tempone, Manager, Information Technology, NBWA
Can your business afford a cybersecurity breach like the one that took UNFI offline? Discover practical tools to protect your business from today’s evolving digital threats. No matter your distributor role, this session will equip you to secure your business in 2025 and beyond.
Succession Planning
Whether you’re a member of a multi-generation family business or a rising industry leader, learn how to position your distributorship for success well into the future.
Finding A New View With Keiretsu: How A 7th Generation Bottler Reimagined The Family Business
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Branden Muhl, CEO, Mahaska
Paul Pisano, SVP, Industry Affairs and General Counsel, NBWA
Join Branden Muhl as he explains why his 7th-generation beer distributor, Pepsi bottler and much more remains vibrant and growing. Muhl will share how you can adjust, adapt and innovate around existing beer distribution operations.
One Generation, Two Times the Knowledge
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 9:15 – 10:05 a.m.
David and Jason Steinman, Beer Marketer’s INSIGHTS
These fraternal fact-finders will join us to dive deep into industry trends and forecasts, as well as discuss how their Next Gen transition into the business has helped position BMI for the future.
Legacy & Liquidity: M&A And Succession Strategies For Beer Distributors
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Brian Hoogendoorn – Executive Director, Wells Fargo Beverage Finance
Elle Oberdick, Managing Director & Private Wealth Advisor, Wells Fargo
Discover how banks evaluate debt capacity, explore real-world acquisition approaches, and learn how to preserve legacy while preparing for growth or a liquidity event.
Increasing Sales
Explore new tools that help distributors showcase the value of beer to their accounts and sell more cases.
Humans Armed With AI: How Data And Discipline Are Redefining the On Premise
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Jen Hauke, Draftline Technologies
Scott Bissonette, On-Premise Manager, Briggs Distributing
AI and experienced distributor insight is a combo that’s changing draft beer sales. Learn how smart wholesalers are using data to uncover growth and outpace the competition heading into 2026.
Seal the Deal: Tools for Winning Your Sales Calls
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. (Two Sessions)
Tyler Denny, Sales Manager of Beyond Beer Portfolio, Fahr Beverage
Are you maximizing your interactions with retailers? With so much competition for beverage shelf space, your team needs to quickly and effectively make the case for beer. In this session we’ll explore new digital tools that help you craft a compelling pitch, connect with your accounts and make the sale!
Beer First: Trends, Opportunities & Activations
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 12:05 – 1:00 p.m.
Kim McKinnish, COO, NBWA
Lester Jones, VP, Analytics and Chief Economist, NBWA
How can distributors elevate their traditional beer portfolio in the era of the omnibibolous consumer? We’ll dive into compelling data points and resources for showing retailers that putting Beer First helps them win!
Winning Through Messaging
Beer and beverage distributors have a great story to tell — we’ll give you tools to do so. Join us as we share communication strategies that support your organization’s goals.
Storytelling With Data
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Austin Bristow, Founder, Elevated BI
A TEDx speaker and 15-year beer industry veteran, Austin will bring some of today’s most important skills to life: Analytical thinking, extracting insights from data and creative storytelling. Learn how to turn complex data into clear, compelling stories that resonate across your organization and drive impact.
Vocal, Local And Proud: Tips On Conducting Warehouse Tours, Building and Maintaining Grassroots Relationships
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. (Two Sessions)
Linda Auglis, Sr. Director, Political Affairs, NBWA
Warehouse tours can be powerful tools for beer and beverage distributors to connect with congressional representatives and advocate for the industry. In this seminar, Linda Auglis — architect of NBWA’s top-ranked PAC — will share why you are the best voice to educate elected leaders and policymakers on how their decisions impact your business.
Elevating Distributor Social Media
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 10:20 – 11:15 a.m.
Andrew Reilly, Director, Communications, NBWA
Beer distributors looking to share engaging content on social media don’t need to look far…it’s all around you! We’ll explore how to use your everyday assets — your team, brands and facility — in creative content, including short-form video.
Leadership Training
Next Gen leadership training is the real deal, designed for and by beer distributors and centered on tangible skills that pay immediate dividends.
Love Is Just Damn Good Business
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 9:50 – 10:50 a.m.
Steve Farber
Named the #1 Business Speaker to See by Huffington Post and recognized as a trailblazer in the field of Extreme Leadership, Steve will inspire you to embrace leadership not as a position, but as an everyday commitment to building stronger teams, earning loyal customers and driving meaningful growth.
Laces Out: Driving Winning Strategies
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Kendall Gammon, Former Kansas City Chiefs Long Snapper
Kendall Gammon will energize beer distributors with insights on emotional strength and leadership, using NFL stories and humor to inspire stronger teams, better communication, and resilience in a competitive, fast-paced industry.
From Word Of Mouth To Workforce Mastery: Evolving Our Training Culture
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. (Two Sessions)
Benjamin Cunningham, Training Specialist, Carolina Premium Beverage
This seminar explores the transformation of our workforce training practices — from a legacy of 100% on-the-job learning and newspaper want ads to a modern, structured and scalable approach. Attendees will gain insight into building a training culture that supports long-term development, adaptability, and leadership readiness.
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Next Gen is where emerging distribution leaders connect, share ideas and enjoy a cold beer with colleagues across brands and regions. There’s no better place to grow as a professional in the industry!
Welcome Reception
Monday, Nov. 10, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Sponsored by BevCap
We’re kicking off the Next Generation Conference with a welcome party that captures the heart and soul of Kansas City — and you’re invited!
- Savor legendary Kansas City BBQ
- Groove to live jazz performances
- Get ready for action with the Chiefs’ hype crew — cheerleaders, K.C. Wolf mascot and the rowdy Rumble Drumline
Then test your luck at the Next Gen Games casino, featuring blackjack, Texas hold’em, craps tables and more.
Tuesday Evening Event
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sponsored by ARCO
Join us for a fun-filled evening in Kansas City’s legendary Power & Light District! With Next Gen Games, networking activities and plenty of delicious beer, it will be a night to remember.