BevNET is pleased to announce that the final agenda for Beverage School in Chicago is now available for viewing.

Held on April 10, Beverage School in Chicago presents a unique opportunity for launch-focused beverage entrepreneurs to get an early understanding of the most important issues in the business. It will also feature a panel that offers strategic advice on launching in the Midwest.

The event, which provides participants with the insights of veteran beverage entrepreneurs, executives, suppliers, and other experts, will be a one-day intensive “Beverages 101.” Registration for the one-day event will begin at 11:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will run until 6 p.m.

Beverage School in Chicago will be held at the Greenhouse Loft, 2545 West Diversey, Chicago, Ill.

Note that each instructional session will feature a question-and-answer period. Also note that these sessions will be filmed. All presentations will be made available for download.

Agenda:

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Registration Opens/Networking Lunch

12:30 p.m. -12:40 p.m. — Welcome, John Craven, Founder, BevNET will explain the purpose and methods of Beverage School and introduce the team behind the program.

12:40 p.m. -1:10 p.m. –Your Year One: Eric Schnell, founder, Metabrand, will discuss the life of the beverage entrepreneur and outline the key decisions that a new company in the beverage business will face

1:10 p.m.– 1:40 p.m. – Kate Ratliff, Technical Director, Flavorman will help explain the process by which a product goes from idea to a manufacturable liquid suitable for packaging.

1:40 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. – Justin Prochnow, Partner, Greenberg Traurig, will explain legal requirements for labeling and the basic regulatory framework overseeing the beverage category

2:10 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. — Coffee Break

2:40 p.m. — 3:10 p.m. – Bill Sipper, Managing Partner, Cascadia Managing Brands, will discuss routes to market and distribution methodology

3:10 p.m. — 3:40 p.m. – Debbie Wildrick, Founder, Growing Innovative Brands, will discuss channel strategies and outline different retail styles

3:40 p.m. — 4:10 p.m. — Lucy Rendler-Kaplan, CEO, Arkay Consulting and PR, will evaluate online marketing tactics for beverage startups

4:10 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. — Coffee Break

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Brad Barnhorn, President, Barnhorn Growth Advisors, will outline basic funding options for beverage startups

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Neil Kimberley, founder, Foods, Fluids and Beyond, will discuss company leadership structure and setting up advisory boards

5:30 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. –Panel: Winning in Chicago and the Midwest — West Loop Beverages’ Leo Novosel, Solixir CEO Scott Lerner, and one more area expert discuss ways that startups can introduce themselves in their home region

6:00 — Program Ends