Attending a conference for the first time can seem intimidating, and Master Brewers wants to help its first-timer members navigate the waters. For the 2021 Master Brewers Conference, we will pair first time member attendees with experienced Master Brewers conference-goers for informal conversation and casual networking. We are seeking both mentors and mentees for the 2021 Master Brewers Conference.
What is the Meistersud Mentor Program?
One of the last things many brewing apprentices in Germany do before becoming a master is to create their masterpiece brew, or “Meistersud.” The beer made for the Meistersud may not last very long, but the transition to becoming a master brewer lasts a lifetime. The Master Brewers’ Meistersud Program will pair up veteran Mater Brewers members with first-time conference attendees, so that they can get as much as possible out of their time and the conference. While the Meistersud Program will only last as long as the conference, we're sure the tips learned, insights gained, and contacts made will all last much longer and will be the first step toward a lifelong relationship with the Master Brewers.
This program was started by the Membership Task Force in 2018 and is open to both first-time conference attendee members as well as those interested in showing new attendees the ropes of the meeting.
This is not your traditional mentor-mentee program. The 2021 Meistersud Mentor Program is limited to a small group to ensure positive interactions for all involved. Sign up when you register for the 2021 Master Brewers Conference or contact Susan Kohn at mbaa@mbaa.com.
Participant Expectations:
- Mentor-mentee pairs will be matched and sent contact information to each pair.
- Mentors and mentees should contact each other by email prior to the conference and tell each other a little about themselves. Either the mentor or the mentee can initiate the email exchange.
- Agree to attend the Meistersud Mentor Program Meet and Greet on Friday, October 29, at 7:45 a.m. We also suggest arranging a few other times/places to meet during the conference. For example, make specific plans to meet in the exhibit hall over lunch, attend a poster session, or at a specific technical session is a good idea.
- Mentors will share reflections on their experiences at Master Brewers conferences and try to introduce their mentees to other attendees they know. The point is to develop ideas and strategies for these first-time attendees to get all the benefits of attending the conference. Some potential discussion topics:
- What sessions do you plan on attending that are relevant to my professional interests?
- Who should I try to meet before the end of the conference?
- Is there a strategy to visiting the exhibit hall or posters, making the rounds at networking events, or getting the most out of technical sessions or workshops?
- How do you use the conference as a springboard for new ideas, new projects, or professional development in general?
- It is appropriate for mentees to prepare a few questions in advance for their mentor about areas of interest and networking.
- Some mentors and mentees stay in contact after the conference, but this is not an expectation.
