Innovation Brew Works (IBW) recently marked a major milestone as it celebrated its 8th anniversary.
A special event the eatery hosted on Saturday, April 15 featured exclusive food items and a limited-edition beer menu made with locally grown CPP ingredients. Attendees were treated to live music from talented CPP student bands throughout the night, and a variety of clubs and organizations from the campus community set up outside the brewery. Free brewery tours were also held during the event for guests to learn more about IBW’s beer-making process.
Business Professor Lydia Chen Shah’s brand management class designed an exclusive eight-year anniversary drinking glass attendees could purchase as a memento of the fun-filled night. Shah’s class has been partnering with IBW on different marketing projects since 2018.
Students bring a unique vantage point to projects that is key, Shah said.
“The students ask questions and see perspectives often missed by others,” she said. “They offer a unique view coupled with the desire to learn by doing! That combination brings together valuable collaboration and remarkable results.”
Melody Young, IBW manager, praised the students for their professionalism and responsiveness.
“It is always a pleasure working with Professor Shah’s classes,” Young said. “It was obvious the students took into account what we said we were looking for and came up with great designs. It resulted in the best response we have seen in the release of any merch.”
Business student Christy Medina, whose group created the chosen logo on the glass, emphasized the value of working on a project marketed to event attendees.
“This class gave me the opportunity to work on a real, hands-on project,” she said. “In the end, seeing our hard work pay off and being able to see the design in person on the glass felt surreal.”
The marketing efforts of Aliah Navarra, IBW’s student employee, were also a major factor in the success of the evening. Navarra recruited the student bands that performed and coordinated the event layout in the parking lot.
Young said she appreciated the contributions of all who helped to make the event a success.
“The combined efforts of the branding management class, Professor Lydia Shah, Aliah, and our management team brought us the busiest day we have seen since the opening of IBW in 2014.”
To stay up to date with IBW’s upcoming events, be sure to follow them on Instagram @ibrewworks.
