On July 26-27, the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild will hold its Virginia Craft Beer Conference as a virtual event from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The keynote speaker on Day 1 this year is Dr. J Nikol Jackson-Beckham (pictured) from the Brewers Association. She will present “Fans, Hands, and Brands: Strategies and Tactics for Being Inclusive and Building Diversity in Craft Beer” from 2:00-3:00 PM.
Jackson-Beckham’s bio states, “A former professor of Communication Studies, Dr. J Jackson-Beckham dedicated her academic career to the study of American beer. Today, she helps craft beverage organizations develop inclusive, equitable, and just practices that drive success, build communities, and empower individuals through her consultancy, Crafted For All, LLC. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Craft x EDU (pronounced “craft by E-D-U”), a nonprofit whose mission is to champion equity, inclusion, and justice in the craft brewing community through education and professional development. She is an author, speaker, and vocal advocate for the craft beverage community. In 2018, Dr. J was named the Brewers Association’s first ever Diversity Ambassador. Today, Jackson-Beckham leads the Brewers Association’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) department as the association’s Equity & Inclusion Partner.”
Reflecting on its 10th Anniversary, the Guild has invited speakers Janell Zurschmeide (Dirt Farm Brewing), Eric McKay (Hardywood Park Craft Brewery), Mark Thompson (Brewing Tree Beer Company), Mike Killelea (Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.) and Brett Vassey (Virginia Craft Brewers Guild CEO) for a 9:30 – 11 AM session dubbed “Virginia’s Guilded Age: Examining Growth of Craft Beer Through the Years.”
The annual Virginia Craft Beer Cup Awards ceremony will be held in-person on August 16 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s West Creek location.
For the full schedule and details on registration visit VirginiaCraftBrewers.org
