The Society of Independent Brewers closed its annual conference in Stratford-in-Avon with the announcement of a new Design Award, which will reward the best designs for bottle labels, pump clips and POS. The new Award will sit within the SIBA Brewing Business Awards 2010, which are now open for entries from member brewers.

This year’s conference was attended by some 350 SIBA members, suppliers and associates. The theme of ‘The People Factor’ was taken up by all the speakers, starting with motivational guru Nigel Risner, who talked about the importance for breweries of understanding the different types of people who work for them and who buy and drink their beers.

Speakers from the industry included: Nick Bish, ALMR chief executive; Chris Holmes, chief executive and chairman of Castle Rock Brewery; Steve Benton, commercial manager, Marston’s and Simon Townsend, chief operating officer, Enterprise Inns. The common message emerging from all speakers was that, despite the challenging trading environment faced by brewers and publicans, those that understand ‘the people factor’ in their business, and who build relationships with their employees, customers and suppliers, will succeed.

Closing the conference, SIBA’s new chairman Keith Bott said, “This has been a fantastic conference. What has really shone through over these last two days is the passion for beer shared by everyone in the room. We must hold onto that passion, for it enables us to produce wonderful, innovative beers that engage and excite our customers and, ultimately, mean that the quality independent brewing sector will continue to grow.”