In today’s dynamic craft beer industry, diversifying revenue streams is more important than ever. As the Director of Business Development for promotional product company, Shore Up Supply, Emily Neville has seen firsthand how the right merch presented and marketed in the right way can be a consistent profit stream for breweries who choose to invest in it. Still, with thousands of items to choose from and exponentially more color and design decisions, it may seem daunting to broach the topic at all. Throw in online inventory management and taproom displays, and is it even worth it? In this session, you’ll be handed a strategy for supplier management, ordering timelines, taproom merchandising, and marketing tactics to turn your hoodies and hats into a profit stream. We’ll discuss the latest trend and set you up for success to give your patrons mech they can’t walk away from!

Emily Neville is a graduate of the 4-year merit-based Park Scholarship at NC State University. While in school, Emily started Beer to Bags to transform the thousands of spent malt bags entering landfills into profitable brewery merch. Emily grew the brand to resell in over 200 taprooms, converting 10k+ malt bags since its infancy. Beer to Bags was recently acquired by Hoptown Handles and its sustainable merch arm, Shore Up Supply, in April 2024. Emily is remaining with the brand in a new role as Shore Up’s Director of Business Development. Emily lives with her husband Tyler and dog Oliver in Raleigh, NC.