Cosgrave announces the launch of the Craft Beverage Industry Group (C-BIG), whose founding members comprise industry professionals in the craft beverage segment. The mission of the group is two-fold: offer educational events and bridge connections between members of this evolving market.  C-BIG members are advisers and advocates dedicated to the education, growth and sustainability of Oregon’s craft beverage entrepreneurs.

The group hosts monthly educational and networking events, each focusing on an important facet of the craft beverage industry.  The first event was May 20^th with speaker Amy Pearl of Hatch Innovation Lab, who spoke about Oregon’s new law allowing equity crowdfunding, or Community Public Offerings (CPOs), and what that means for start-up craft businesses. Their summer schedule features pragmatic tips for accessing capital by the Portland Community College CLIMB Small Business Development Center’s Capital Access Team on June 23^rdand Dr. Sam Holloway of the University of Portland, speaking on “Crafting A Strategy” in July. August will bring an introduction to Oregon Wild’s “Oregon Brewshed Alliance.”  The current schedule is online at www.cbigoregon.com.

“C-BIG offers something unique in Oregon,” says group co-founder Russ Rotondi of Cosgrave Vergeer Kester. “It’s a dynamic forum for comprehensive guidance and targeted learning opportunities for the craft beverage industry as a whole.”