(MURFREESBORO) While not physically performing the ritual of saying "cheers" or "offering a toast", current and first-time exporters of craft beer met in the atrium of the Miller Education Center at 503 East Bell Street for a forum showing ways to expand their markets.

More than 60 representatives from East, Middle and West Tennessee attended the inaugural session of the Tennessee Craft Beer and Spirit Distilleries International Sales Opportunities Forum -- with potential forums on the way, said John Ordung, director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, or TSBDC.

Presenters' topics included marketing, financial solutions for exporters, mitigating risks in the international marketplace and more. Those attending the craft beer forum at Middle Tennessee State University returned home feeling positive about future prospects or their growing businesses.

Dr. Tony Johnston, director of the MTSU fermentation science program, said he had "received nothing but enthusiastically positive responses from the presenters. Overall, I believe the seminar was a hit."

Now in its third year, MTSU fermentation science is the first degree program of its type in Tennessee. Trained graduates are in demand to meet the needs of the booming world population. Graduates can work in a variety of positions for major manufacturers. Its laboratory facilities are a partnership with Hop Springs Beer Park.

The Brewers Association reports new craft breweries alone in Tennessee have doubled to nearly 100 since 2015 (22nd nationally), with a $1,260,000 economic impact that ranks 20th nationally. Tennessee features more than 60 wineries, 30 distilleries, 99 breweries, 10 cheese-making operations, one of the largest yogurt manufacturing plants in the world, smaller yogurt producers and two major ethanol production facilities.

Representatives from SUSTA (Southern United States Trade Organization), the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Nashville, Tennessee-based V. Alexander & Co. Inc., a company that facilitates exporting, and others joined aspiring exporters for the three-plus-hour meeting on Aug. 27.

Presenters included Nashville attorney Rachel Lawson and Leslee Alexander with the TSBDC.

"The Tennessee Department of Agriculture was very happy to be a part of the seminar," Johnston said. "(TDA) Deputy Commissioner Keith Harrison spoke with me immediately after it ended to relate his pleasure. Rachel Lawson has already asked to be invited to speak again and Glenn Shearron with V. Alexander emailed to ask how they can assist with our program."

Aaron Carson with Gypsy Circus Cider Company in Kingsport and Knoxville, Tennessee, said the get-together "provided a lot more clarity of how to expand our markets. This fulfilled the need. Manufacturers and alcohol producers (previously) didn't have a line of sight on this."

Itzela Vasquez de Mundis of Franklin, Tennessee, helped Ordung and Johnston pull the event together.

"We had a lot of support from Tennessee state government," Vasquez de Mundis said. "... There are a lot of good products and a lot of interest and support of the products."

Kevin Kolheim with Beale Street Brewing Company in Memphis, Tennessee, said the "financing of how to export (product) was one of the high notes. Each speaker gave you something to think about, in areas of insurance, legal aspects and the international trade market."

Ordung said "this is just the beginning. Six to 10 businesses are serious exporters. When you have a success story, you build the momentum you are looking for."

Hosted at MTSU, the TSBDC features a network of offices across the state staffed by certified professional business counselors who assist small business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals with developing their business ideas for services and products.