Episode Overview

This episode of the #CBC2025 preview series sees Ryan Halleman of Apex Group 360 give insights into the craft beer industry and the upcoming CBC 2025. Ryan discusses his excitement for exhibiting at CBC this year, which he views as the "Super Bowl of craft beer."

For more information on Ryan and Apex Group 360 head to https://www.apexgroup360.com/

-Music Credit-

Neon Drive by Punch Deck | https://soundcloud.com/punch-deck

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APEX GROUP 360 at CBC Preview: Navigating the Craft Beer Landscape

Welcome back to the Get Hoptimized podcast! In our latest episode, we dive deep into the world of craft beer and the upcoming CBC 2025 with a special guest, Ryan Halleman from Apex Group 360. Ryan brings a wealth of experience in supply chain, procurement, and brewery operations, offering invaluable insights for anyone in the brewing industry.

The Journey to Apex Group 360

Ryan's journey into the brewing industry wasn't a straight line. With 16 years in supply chain and procurement, he started by buying "nuts and bolts" and eventually built entire supply chain processes from scratch. His experience spans various industries, including nutraceuticals and Yogi Tea, where he learned about packaging, regulations, international shipping, and transit.

His time at Nasi Brewing in Eugene, Oregon, was pivotal. Starting in purchasing and procurement, he rose to Director of Supply Chain and ultimately COO, navigating a merger and overseeing 196 different SKUs across multiple breweries. This experience led him to launch Procurement Solutions and eventually Apex Group 360, a company offering a full suite of solutions for breweries and CPG companies.

What is Apex Group 360?

Apex Group 360 is all about providing "one partner, every solution." With a team of consultants, they offer services ranging from early-stage formulation and ideation to supply chain operations, marketing, data analytics, website development, and more. Ryan emphasizes that they aim to be a comprehensive resource, helping breweries and CPG companies at every stage of their growth. "We're procuring, compiling, or sourcing services, materials, and equipment—all the resources needed to operate, grow, and scale a business, specifically for brewers," Ryan explains. Whether it's heavy equipment, packaging, hops, or malt, Apex Group 360 can handle it.

CBC 2025: The Super Bowl of Craft Beer

Ryan, a four-time CBC attendee, is particularly excited about exhibiting this year. He sees CBC as the "Super Bowl of craft beer" and is eager to connect with potential clients and industry friends. This year's CBC in Indianapolis promises to be a significant event, and Ryan believes it will be bigger than previous years, especially compared to the recent Las Vegas edition.

"Being able to have a booth where I can have potential clients or companies that need support come to us and talk to us has got me on cloud9," Ryan shares. He's looking forward to creating a destination for attendees and fostering meaningful connections.

Trends and Expectations for CBC 2025

Given the current state of the craft beer industry, Ryan anticipates a shift in focus at CBC. With rising costs and economic pressures, he expects less emphasis on big equipment purchases and more interest in cost reduction, margin improvement, and creative solutions.

"I think any way these breweries can look to reduce costs, reduce overhead, and increase margin is going to be the name of the game," Ryan says. He highlights the importance of maintaining high-quality standards while finding efficiencies. Consulting services, marketing strategies, and innovative offerings like THC-infused beverages and non-alcoholic options will likely be hot topics.

Ryan also emphasizes the educational aspect of CBC. He believes attendees will be looking for insights into what's next for their businesses and how to adapt to the changing market. Co-packers and strategic partnerships will also be crucial as breweries seek to expand without significant capital investments.

Advice for First-Time CBC Attendees

For those attending CBC for the first time, Ryan offers valuable advice:

Day One: Explore. Spend the first day walking the floor, picking up business cards, and meeting people. Avoid scheduling too many meetings and focus on getting an overview of the event.
Day Two and Three: Deep Dive. Use the following days for in-depth conversations and strategic meetings.
Follow Up: Have a plan for follow-up after the show. The event can be overwhelming, so staying organized is key.
Don't Over-Schedule: Keep meetings short and flexible to allow for spontaneous interactions.

Connecting with Ryan Halleman and Apex Group 360

If you're interested in connecting with Ryan or learning more about Apex Group 360, you can visit their website at apexgroup360.com or email Ryan directly at ryan@apexgroup360.com. They offer a wide range of services and are eager to help breweries and CPG companies succeed.

Join Us at CBC 2025!

We're excited to be part of CBC 2025 at booth number 1125, the Profit and Ops Center, under the Beverage Federation banner. We hope to see you there for insightful conversations, networking, and more.

CBC 2025 Preview: Forging New Relationships with Ryan Halleman (Apex Group 360)