I-BEST SCHEDULE 2026

Check Back as Schedule & Seminars are Updated!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Thursday, Nov. 12th 7-9pm - Membership Social & Bottle Share - Confluence Brewing

All members, sponsors and vendors are invited to join us for a social and bottle share hosted at

Confluence Brewing, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Monies. Bring beer to share!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2026 -

Hosted by Flix Brewhouse, Des Moines, Iowa

9:00 - 10:00am - i-BEST Registration Check-In & Welcome Bags

Registration includes access to keynote, all seminars, materials, lunch and social events!

9:00am: I-BEST Hospitality & Trade Show Available

10:15am: Welcome to all Attendees!

10:00am Navigating Non-Stop Change: Turn Fear into focus and guide others through change with calm, clarity, and courage

11:30am Trade Show, Lunch, & Beer Trivia - by Trivia Mafia

3 Tracks of education seminars including Technical Brewing, Legal and Business Leadership, and Sales & Hospitality

Check out opportunities for optional hands on sensory experience or accounting workshops. Sign up when you register!

Session Block 1 - 12:30 - 1:30pm

  • Technical Brewing - “From Seal to Shelf: Packaging Challenges & Best Practices” - Panel Discussion

  • Breakout Technical Experience - Hands on Sensory Panel & Discussion - Facilitated by IA State University Midwest Wine & Grape Institute (Limited Space - preregistration required!)

  • Marketing and Taprooms - “Having Difficult Conversations Turning Tough Discussions into Productive Outcomes” - Dr. Celina Peerman

  • Business Management & Legal - Annual Update and Q&A with Iowa ABD

  • Breakout Workshop - “Back to Basics Accounting Workshop: Accounting Basics and Tactical Strategies for Breweries” - Small Batch Standard (2 Part Seminar - Preregistration Required!)

Session Block 2 - 2:00pm - 3pm

  • Technical Brewing- “Tradition Reimagined: Domestic Hops for Czech Beer, Lager & More” - Rob Malad, Crosby Hops

  • Marketing and Taprooms - “Restaurant Hospitality for Breweries: Your Taproom Beyond Beverage” (Panel Discussion)

  • Business Management & Legal - “Understanding Where and When to Use AI in Your Business” - Paul Gormley, CIRAS

  • Breakout Workshop - “Back to Basics Accounting Workshop: Accounting Basics and Tactical Strategies for Breweries” - Small Batch Standard (2 Part Seminar - Preregistration Required!)

Session Block 3 - 3:30-4:30

Technical Brewing - “Yeast Uses in NA Brewing: Best Practices” - Moh Saade, Fermentis

Marketing and Taprooms - “Leveraging Competitions and Medals to Grow Your Brand and Business” (Panel Discussion)

Business Management & Legal - “Post Election Update: What to Expect in the Iowa Statehouse in 2027” - IBG Lobbying team Marc Beltrame & David Peck

4:30pm: 2026 Iowa Ambassador of Craft Awards presented by Hopsteiner

Celebrate your Community: the Iowa Ambassador of Craft Award recognizes those who have had a positive, lasting impact on the Iowa brewing industry and community. Make a nomination today: IA Ambassador of Craft

All attendees, vendors and allied partners welcome to join for this social!