Next Generation Conference Sessions

 

Below you will find a detailed schedule of the seminars at 2023 Next Generation Success in Leadership Conference.

If you have any questions about the event please contact info@nbwa.org

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2023

GENERAL SESSION

 

Capitalizing on Draft’s “Super Cycle”

Jennifer Hauke, Founder, Draftline Technologies
Lester Jones, NBWA Chief Economist

Jennifer Hauke, Founder of Draftline Technologies, and Lester Jones, NBWA Chief Economist, will share an overview of the $9.2 billion draft beer market and its importance. Highlighting innovations and technologies in draft as well as introducing the “super cycle” concept. Jen and Lester will encourage a forward-thinking, data-driven approach for success demonstrating how to understand your specific market. And share the necessity of proactively harnessing the growth potential of the draft industry.

 

One Size Fits None: Working Smarter with Supplier Partners

Lori Scheiffler, Co-Founder & President, Tamarron Consulting

All suppliers offer unique strengths, opportunities and idiosyncrasies that distributors must navigate. The same way of doing business that helps you bolster a relationship with one supplier may lead to headaches with another. In a business of tight margins and stiff competition, approaching each partnership with a focus on flexibility and creativity can make a big difference to your bottom line. In this session, you’ll learn about the characteristics most likely to impact your workflow and how you can quickly – and painlessly – identify these factors, with examples from many of today’s most notable suppliers. Then we will break down some simple operational tweaks that distributorships of all sizes can make to maximize each partnership and enable your team to work more efficiently with their supplier counterparts.

 

Why Not? Achieve Your Full Potential by Rethinking the Question: Why? 

Tracy Walder

As a covert operative for CIA’s Counterterrorism Center, she assumed aliases, thwarted terrorist attacks, debriefed terrorists at black sites and went on to become one of the few women to work both at the CIA and FBI.
Walder will detail her riveting journey while sharing her impactful message: don’t try to change who you are to fit what you think your job wants you to be.
We often get so caught up in trying to answer the question “why?” that an opportunity passes us by. Calling on her own unconventional journey, Tracy Walder demonstrates how embracing the question “why not?” can be life changing.

 

Safeguarding the Value of Your Business

Panelists: Chris Steuterman, Senior Vice President, UMB, Randy Jozwiakowski, Managing Director, Paragon Beverage Advisors, Karen Kovtun, Senior Advisor, Ippolito & Christon
Moderated by: Paul Pisano

The next generation of beer and beverage distributors will need to build upon the foundation of the past work that has built distributor values.  This panel will examine the items that drive positive valuation and the issues on the horizon that could impact the value of your businesses.

Influencing Without Authority: An Essential Skill to Gain Traction in Your Family Business

Cari Coats, Managing Partner, Accendo

Are you struggling to get buy-in for new ideas? Is gaining support for what you need in order to get something done often a challenge? Influencing skills are essential for business success. Earlier in your career, influence is often about working effectively with others over whom you have no authority. Yet, getting the support or momentum you need to advance something or make it successful is fundamental for you to get traction in your company, gain respect and credibility, and ultimately move up. Effective leaders understand the way others want to be influenced and know how to apply the right tactics to build alignment and commitment. If you want to master these tactics to influence others this workshop is for you.

 

BEST PRACTICE SESSIONS

1:00 p.m.

 

Best Practice 1: People Over Product – The Path to Becoming a Best Places to Work

Jonathan (“JJ”) Jarrell, Director of Human Resources, Cone Distributing

This session will discuss how Cone Distributing (Team Cone) transformed the culture of their workplace to emphasize the company’s Core Values and workplace culture to recruit and retain talented people. The company focuses on people over products. The result? Team Cone’s teammates have voted the company to Florida Trend Magazine’s list of Best Companies to Work for in Florida for five years in a row.

 

Best Practice 2: The Tap Wars: Strategies for Local Success

Lauren Doll-Sheeder, Managing Partner, Doll Distributing
Leslie Harris, Director of Business Analytics, Adams Beverage

In a market where your team faces headwinds, there are strategies to concentrate on bolstering your local presence and uncovering opportunities for success in the on-premise sector.  Lauren and Leslie are set to unveil a fresh approach to how they’re prioritizing draft offerings and doubling down on market share potential.

 

Best Practice 3: Navigating the Successor Manager Process

Blair Watson Delaney, Sales Manager, Brown Distributing

Navigating the successor manager process can be incredibly challenging. Blair will share learnings from her experience and provide suggestions to help make the journey smoother and more efficient for others. Although she was approved within the Anheuser-Busch system, these best practices will work for everyone looking to build their career pathway and gain exposure to all aspects of the beer industry.

1:40 p.m.

Best Practice 1: People Over Product – The Path to Becoming a Best Places to Work

Jonathan (“JJ”) Jarrell, Director of Human Resources, Cone Distributing

This session will discuss how Cone Distributing (Team Cone) transformed the culture of their workplace to emphasize the company’s Core Values and workplace culture to recruit and retain talented people. The company focuses on people over products. The result? Team Cone’s teammates have voted the company to Florida Trend Magazine’s list of Best Companies to Work for in Florida for five years in a row.

 

Best Practice 2: The Tap Wars: Strategies for Local Success

Lauren Doll-Sheeder, Managing Partner, Doll Distributing
Leslie Harris, Director of Business Analytics, Adams Beverage

In a market where your team faces headwinds, there are strategies to concentrate on bolstering your local presence and uncovering opportunities for success in the on-premise sector.  Lauren and Leslie are set to unveil a fresh approach to how they’re prioritizing draft offerings and doubling down on market share potential

 

Best Practice 3: Navigating the Successor Manager Process

Blair Watson Delaney, Sales Manager, Brown Distributing

Navigating the successor manager process can be incredibly challenging. Blair will share learnings from her experience and provide suggestions to help make the journey smoother and more efficient for others. Although she was approved within the Anheuser-Busch system, these best practices will work for everyone looking to build their career pathway and gain exposure to all aspects of the beer industry.

 

2:20 p.m.

Best Practice 4: The Role of the NBWA PAC

Laurie Knight, Executive Vice President, NBWA Government Affairs

Linda Auglis, Sr. Director, Political Affairs, NBWA Government Affairs

To further understand the importance of supporting those who understand your business, join Laurie Knight and Linda Auglis to learn more about the NBWA PAC.

 

Best Practice 5: Making Sustainability Work for Your Distributor

Tyler Denny, Beyond Beer Sales Manager, Fahr Beverage, Inc.

See how Fahr Beverage is focusing on sustainability and increasing efficiencies using new technologies and alternative fuel sources. Learn what they are doing with a vehicle fleet powered by compressed natural gas, solar powered energy on one location and looking at adding more, LED lighting in the warehouse and route to market efficiencies using technology like SAMSARA.

Best Practice 6: Recognizing & Sharing Your Keys

Portia Dowell-Simmons, EA to President, Glazer’s Beer & Beverage Company

Brenna Juhnke, Content Manager, Glazer’s Beer & Beverage Company

Introducing original concepts that will change the way you hear success stories. The keys to success are hidden behind one recurring phrase in every story… How do people get to where they are in life? When people do the work of uncovering these significant moments, they are then challenged to unlock opportunity for those who have historically been left out.

3:00 p.m.

Best Practice 4: The Role of the NBWA PAC

Laurie Knight, Executive Vice President, NBWA Government Affairs

Linda Auglis, Sr. Director, Political Affairs, NBWA Government Affairs

To further understand the importance of supporting those who understand your business, join Laurie Knight and Linda Auglis to learn more about the NBWA PAC.

 

Best Practice 5: Making Sustainability Work for Your Distributor

Tyler Denny, Beyond Beer Sales Manager, Fahr Beverage, Inc.

See how Fahr Beverage is focusing on sustainability and increasing efficiencies using new technologies and alternative fuel sources. Learn what they are doing with a vehicle fleet powered by compressed natural gas, solar powered energy on one location and looking at adding more, LED lighting in the warehouse and route to market efficiencies using technology like SAMSARA.

Best Practice 6: Recognizing & Sharing Your Keys

Portia Dowell-Simmons, EA to President, Glazer’s Beer & Beverage Company

Brenna Juhnke, Content Manager, Glazer’s Beer & Beverage Company

Introducing original concepts that will change the way you hear success stories. The keys to success are hidden behind one recurring phrase in every story… How do people get to where they are in life? When people do the work of uncovering these significant moments, they are then challenged to unlock opportunity for those who have historically been left out.

5:00 p.m.

The Ecommerce Imperative: Adapting For Long-Term Success

Cam Koorangi, eCommerce Sales Manager, Encompass
Bill Kraich, VP of eCommerce, Encompass
Tommy Riley, Retail Insights VP of Growth, Encompass

The distribution industry, traditionally known for its relationship-driven business model, is currently undergoing a significant transformation driven by the ascent of B2B eCommerce. In this era of digital innovation, the industry is adopting technology to streamline operations, elevate customer experiences, and explore fresh market opportunities.

In this session, we’ll dive into the latest eCommerce technology trends that are reshaping strategic approaches and redefining how distributors engage with the supply chain. Through a live demonstration, we’ll showcase tools such as online ordering, digital payments, and data-driven insights. By the end of this session, you’ll leave with a clear vision of how to thrive in the digital age and bridge the gap between producers and consumers in this dynamic industry.

Use Ecommerce To Save Time, Streamline Communications & Sell More

Carly West, VIP
Brad Currier, VIP

Today’s ecommerce solutions go way beyond just order entry. Join the VIP team to learn how Retailer Portal can help both your retailers and your sales team to be more effective. They’ll take you from the basics of placing orders and paying A/R balances to more advanced features such as the custom dashboard, live chat, notifications, and more. Make plans to join us to learn more about Retailer Portal, the ecommerce solution that retailers want and your sales reps need.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2023 

GENERAL SESSION

Politics & Policy on Capitol Hill

Laurie Knight, Executive Vice President, NBWA Government Affairs

Maintaining strong relationships with your elected officials helps ensure that Congress understands your businesses. Join EVP of Government Affairs, Laurie Knight, for a political state-of-play on the most recent challenges facing the 118th Congress and an update on several key NBWA legislative priorities.

 

Exploring Alternative Delivery Methodologies

Wes Verno, Verno Consulting

Between the rapidly rising cost of delivery & the challenge of hiring drivers, beverage wholesalers all across the country are having to rethink their delivery strategy. This session will explore alternative delivery methodologies to maximize resource utilization, drive efficiencies, and improve driver retention.

 

Looking Forward to 2024

Jenn Litz-Kirk, Director of Content, Beer Business Daily

What are beer’s major lookouts and opportunities for 2024? Join Beer Business Daily Director of Content Jenn Litz-Kirk, as she shares her findings on exactly that, having surveyed tens of leaders from across the three tiers.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

10:20 a.m.

 

Breakout 1: The Unintended Consequences of Incentives

Orman Anderson, CFO, Glazers Beer & Beverage

Incentives are powerful motivators for individuals and organizations, but often they are poorly designed and result in undesired behaviors. This session will help you identify activities that give rise to incentives, recognize elements of incentives likely to lead to undesired behaviors, and discover alternatives to economic incentives.

 

Breakout 2: You Signed the BREW Pledge, Now What? Leading an Inclusive Culture from the Middle

Amy Baldwin, Managing Director of Organizational Development, Gulf Distributing Holdings, LLC
Sarah Bettman, Founder & Consultant, Bettman Leadership

Gulf Distributing has been on a journey towards a more inclusive culture for the last couple of years. Come hear how they got started and the important role leaders from the family to the front line have contributed to their success. Focusing on simple and actionable steps that individuals and teams can take to get started and build momentum, Sarah and Amy will make sure participants will walk away with takeaways they can implement right away…no matter where the organization is in the journey.

 

11:15 a.m.

Public Speaking 101

Erin Billings, Partner, Global Strategy Group

In this Public Speaking 101 training, Global Strategy Group will cover the following key topics:

  • Identifying the First Steps for Success: Learn how to structure your speech, set clear objectives, and engage your audience from the start.
  • Delivering Your Message Effectively: Discover techniques to convey your ideas with clarity, conviction, and impact, ensuring your message resonates with your audience.
  • Preparing for the Unexpected: Be prepared for any curveballs that may come your way during a presentation and learn to adapt and respond confidently.
  • Battling Your Nerves: Understand and manage the common nerves associated with public speaking, enabling you to deliver your speech with poise.