[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":506},["ShallowReactive",2],{"post-2025-04-26-how-camra-can-attract-more-young-members":3},{"_path":4,"_dir":5,"_draft":6,"_partial":6,"_locale":7,"title":8,"description":9,"published":10,"summary":11,"draft":6,"categories":12,"image":13,"tags":14,"llmWarning":16,"body":17,"_type":500,"_id":501,"_source":502,"_file":503,"_stem":504,"_extension":505},"/posts/2025-04-26-how-camra-can-attract-more-young-members","posts",false,"","How CAMRA Can Attract More Young Members","At the recent CAMRA Young Members Spring Forum, I prepared most of the content that shaped the discussion, based on a detailed set of ideas I originally developed to attract younger audiences to CAMRA.","2025-04-26T21:00:00-00:00","Discover practical strategies for how CAMRA can attract more young members, with full recommendations from the 2025 Young Members Spring Forum, including student engagement, events, marketing, and positioning tips.",[],"/2023-05-28-camras-greater-manchester-young-members-coordinator-plan.png",[15],"CAMRA",true,{"type":18,"children":19,"toc":473},"root",[20,39,53,58,65,70,77,88,98,104,113,122,128,137,146,152,161,170,176,181,187,196,205,211,220,238,244,253,262,268,277,286,292,301,310,316,321,327,336,345,351,360,369,375,384,393,399,404,410,419,428,434,443,452,458,463,468],{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":23,"children":24},"element","p",{},[25,28,37],{"type":26,"value":27},"text","At the recent CAMRA ",{"type":21,"tag":29,"props":30,"children":34},"a",{"href":31,"rel":32},"https://camra.org.uk/event/young-members-spring-forum-2025-81763",[33],"nofollow",[35],{"type":26,"value":36},"Young Members Spring Forum",{"type":26,"value":38},", I prepared most of the content that shaped the discussion, based on a detailed set of ideas I originally developed to attract younger audiences to CAMRA.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":40,"children":41},{},[42,44,51],{"type":26,"value":43},"The suggestions below closely follow that original document, with only a few updates. Notably, there's a potential shift towards using X/Twitter less prominently, a stronger focus on developing specific young member marketing materials beyond the pull-up banners used during ",{"type":21,"tag":29,"props":45,"children":48},{"href":46,"rel":47},"https://seanomahoney.com/posts/2025-02-16-retrospective-camra-welcome-week-2024-in-manchester",[33],[49],{"type":26,"value":50},"Welcome Week",{"type":26,"value":52},", and a few extra ideas added during final drafting.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":54,"children":55},{},[56],{"type":26,"value":57},"Here's a full breakdown of the recommendations:",{"type":21,"tag":59,"props":60,"children":62},"h2",{"id":61},"building-stronger-university-and-student-connections",[63],{"type":26,"value":64},"Building Stronger University and Student Connections",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":66,"children":67},{},[68],{"type":26,"value":69},"Embedding CAMRA directly into university life is key to building a lasting young membership base.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":72,"children":74},"h3",{"id":73},"seed-camra-affiliated-student-societies",[75],{"type":26,"value":76},"Seed CAMRA-Affiliated Student Societies",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":78,"children":79},{},[80,86],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":82,"children":83},"strong",{},[84],{"type":26,"value":85},"Suggestion:",{"type":26,"value":87}," Form official CAMRA-affiliated societies at universities.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":89,"children":90},{},[91,96],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":92,"children":93},{},[94],{"type":26,"value":95},"Why:",{"type":26,"value":97}," Being an official society gives CAMRA a continuous presence at Freshers' Fairs, university events, and access to student spaces. It formalizes the relationship and creates year-on-year recruitment potential.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":99,"children":101},{"id":100},"support-existing-student-societies-with-venues",[102],{"type":26,"value":103},"Support Existing Student Societies with Venues",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":105,"children":106},{},[107,111],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":108,"children":109},{},[110],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":112}," Reach out to existing student societies (not just beer or hospitality ones) and offer help finding venues for their socials or events.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":114,"children":115},{},[116,120],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":117,"children":118},{},[119],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":121}," Providing practical support builds goodwill, introduces students to pubs and real ale venues, and positions CAMRA as a helpful ally rather than an outsider.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":123,"children":125},{"id":124},"collaborate-with-university-alcohol-awareness-campaigns",[126],{"type":26,"value":127},"Collaborate with University Alcohol Awareness Campaigns",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":129,"children":130},{},[131,135],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":132,"children":133},{},[134],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":136}," Partner with universities' responsible drinking initiatives.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":138,"children":139},{},[140,144],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":141,"children":142},{},[143],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":145}," Linking with alcohol awareness campaigns strengthens CAMRA's alignment with mindful, quality-driven drinking, resonating with how universities promote student wellbeing.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":147,"children":149},{"id":148},"support-beer-related-academic-projects",[150],{"type":26,"value":151},"Support Beer-Related Academic Projects",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":153,"children":154},{},[155,159],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":156,"children":157},{},[158],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":160}," Offer CAMRA support-such as access to data, interviews, and event spaces-to students completing hospitality, brewing, marketing, or social history dissertations and projects.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":162,"children":163},{},[164,168],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":165,"children":166},{},[167],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":169}," This idea came up during discussions at the Members' Weekend and was later highlighted as a strong addition. It fosters goodwill with key departments and positions CAMRA as a knowledgeable, welcoming resource.",{"type":21,"tag":59,"props":171,"children":173},{"id":172},"hosting-the-right-kind-of-events",[174],{"type":26,"value":175},"Hosting the Right Kind of Events",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":177,"children":178},{},[179],{"type":26,"value":180},"Younger drinkers are looking for experiences, not just another pub crawl.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":182,"children":184},{"id":183},"partner-with-independent-breweries-and-taprooms",[185],{"type":26,"value":186},"Partner with Independent Breweries and Taprooms",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":188,"children":189},{},[190,194],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":191,"children":192},{},[193],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":195}," Host CAMRA events at independent brewery taprooms.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":197,"children":198},{},[199,203],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":200,"children":201},{},[202],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":204}," Students and young people overwhelmingly prefer independent venues over traditional pubs, according to discussions with SIBA during the latest Members' Weekend.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":206,"children":208},{"id":207},"offer-low-and-non-alcoholic-beer-options",[209],{"type":26,"value":210},"Offer Low and Non-Alcoholic Beer Options",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":212,"children":213},{},[214,218],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":215,"children":216},{},[217],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":219}," Feature low- and no-alcohol beers prominently at student events.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":221,"children":222},{},[223,227,229,236],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":224,"children":225},{},[226],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":228}," Many students are drinking less alcohol but still value social spaces. This trend was confirmed by Welcome Week feedback and CAMRA's ",{"type":21,"tag":29,"props":230,"children":233},{"href":231,"rel":232},"https://camra.org.uk/about/podcasts",[33],[234],{"type":26,"value":235},"\"Pubs. Pints. People.\" podcast",{"type":26,"value":237},".",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":239,"children":241},{"id":240},"host-taproom-tours-and-educational-talks",[242],{"type":26,"value":243},"Host Taproom Tours and Educational Talks",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":245,"children":246},{},[247,251],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":248,"children":249},{},[250],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":252}," Organize brewery tours, behind-the-scenes talks, and structured tasting events.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":254,"children":255},{},[256,260],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":257,"children":258},{},[259],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":261}," Students want experiences where they can learn and explore, not just drink.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":263,"children":265},{"id":264},"promote-and-leverage-camra-learn-discover",[266],{"type":26,"value":267},"Promote and Leverage CAMRA Learn & Discover",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":269,"children":270},{},[271,275],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":272,"children":273},{},[274],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":276}," Use the CAMRA Learn & Discover platform to run interactive learning activities at events and festivals.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":278,"children":279},{},[280,284],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":281,"children":282},{},[283],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":285}," When young attendees had the chance to taste, learn, and engage at the Discovery Bar during CAMRA festivals, engagement levels were significantly higher.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":287,"children":289},{"id":288},"include-cider-perry-and-beer-diversity",[290],{"type":26,"value":291},"Include Cider, Perry, and Beer Diversity",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":293,"children":294},{},[295,299],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":296,"children":297},{},[298],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":300}," Broaden the range of drinks at CAMRA events by highlighting cider, perry, and lesser-known beer styles.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304,308],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":305,"children":306},{},[307],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":309}," Offering variety appeals to students who are open to exploration and keen to try something beyond bitter or golden ale.",{"type":21,"tag":59,"props":311,"children":313},{"id":312},"marketing-and-communications-strategy",[314],{"type":26,"value":315},"Marketing and Communications Strategy",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":317,"children":318},{},[319],{"type":26,"value":320},"Modern communication methods are crucial to reaching young people effectively.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":322,"children":324},{"id":323},"instagram-as-the-primary-promotion-platform",[325],{"type":26,"value":326},"Instagram as the Primary Promotion Platform",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":328,"children":329},{},[330,334],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":331,"children":332},{},[333],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":335}," Focus event marketing efforts on Instagram, especially Stories, Reels, and visual content.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":337,"children":338},{},[339,343],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":340,"children":341},{},[342],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":344}," 57% of Manchester university societies use Instagram as their primary event platform-far ahead of Facebook or any other.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":346,"children":348},{"id":347},"seo-optimized-student-focused-content",[349],{"type":26,"value":350},"SEO-Optimized Student-Focused Content",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":352,"children":353},{},[354,358],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":355,"children":356},{},[357],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":359}," Create blog content targeting student interests, such as \"Top 5 Manchester Brewery Taprooms for Students,\" linked directly to CAMRA activities.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":361,"children":362},{},[363,367],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":364,"children":365},{},[366],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":368}," Organic search remains one of the strongest ways students discover local events and venues, and SEO content provides long-term visibility.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":370,"children":372},{"id":371},"incentivize-social-sharing",[373],{"type":26,"value":374},"Incentivize Social Sharing",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":376,"children":377},{},[378,382],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":379,"children":380},{},[381],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":383}," Offer small rewards like free pints or prize draw entries to students who share CAMRA events on their social media.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":385,"children":386},{},[387,391],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":388,"children":389},{},[390],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":392}," Peer-to-peer promotion is extremely effective among younger audiences, who trust personal recommendations more than official ads.",{"type":21,"tag":59,"props":394,"children":396},{"id":395},"strategic-positioning-of-camras-image",[397],{"type":26,"value":398},"Strategic Positioning of CAMRA's Image",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":400,"children":401},{},[402],{"type":26,"value":403},"Subtle shifts in CAMRA's image can make it more appealing to a modern young audience.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":405,"children":407},{"id":406},"focus-event-timing-around-student-loan-drops",[408],{"type":26,"value":409},"Focus Event Timing Around Student Loan Drops",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":411,"children":412},{},[413,417],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":414,"children":415},{},[416],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":418}," Time major recruitment events to immediately follow student loan disbursements (late September/early October).",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":420,"children":421},{},[422,426],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":423,"children":424},{},[425],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":427}," Students are often financially stretched at the start of term. Early Welcome Week events had lower spending because loans had not yet landed.",{"type":21,"tag":71,"props":429,"children":431},{"id":430},"lean-into-craft-beer-and-modern-real-ale",[432],{"type":26,"value":433},"Lean into Craft Beer and Modern Real Ale",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":435,"children":436},{},[437,441],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":438,"children":439},{},[440],{"type":26,"value":85},{"type":26,"value":442}," Frame real ale as part of the broader craft beer movement, emphasizing artisanal production, local breweries, and beer diversity.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":444,"children":445},{},[446,450],{"type":21,"tag":81,"props":447,"children":448},{},[449],{"type":26,"value":95},{"type":26,"value":451}," Younger drinkers are highly familiar with the craft beer ethos, and many real ales meet the same quality and authenticity standards they value.",{"type":21,"tag":59,"props":453,"children":455},{"id":454},"conclusion",[456],{"type":26,"value":457},"Conclusion",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":459,"children":460},{},[461],{"type":26,"value":462},"Young people are not necessarily disinterested in real ale, cider, or pubs-they expect modern, thoughtful engagement.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":464,"children":465},{},[466],{"type":26,"value":467},"By seeding student societies, offering varied and educational events, promoting responsibly, communicating through the right platforms, and aligning CAMRA's image with today's beer culture, we can make a real, lasting impact.",{"type":21,"tag":22,"props":469,"children":470},{},[471],{"type":26,"value":472},"These recommendations aim to ensure that CAMRA not only recruits young members but also inspires a new generation to carry the torch forward.",{"title":7,"searchDepth":474,"depth":474,"links":475},2,[476,483,490,495,499],{"id":61,"depth":474,"text":64,"children":477},[478,480,481,482],{"id":73,"depth":479,"text":76},3,{"id":100,"depth":479,"text":103},{"id":124,"depth":479,"text":127},{"id":148,"depth":479,"text":151},{"id":172,"depth":474,"text":175,"children":484},[485,486,487,488,489],{"id":183,"depth":479,"text":186},{"id":207,"depth":479,"text":210},{"id":240,"depth":479,"text":243},{"id":264,"depth":479,"text":267},{"id":288,"depth":479,"text":291},{"id":312,"depth":474,"text":315,"children":491},[492,493,494],{"id":323,"depth":479,"text":326},{"id":347,"depth":479,"text":350},{"id":371,"depth":479,"text":374},{"id":395,"depth":474,"text":398,"children":496},[497,498],{"id":406,"depth":479,"text":409},{"id":430,"depth":479,"text":433},{"id":454,"depth":474,"text":457},"markdown","content:posts:2025-04-26-how-camra-can-attract-more-young-members.md","content","posts/2025-04-26-how-camra-can-attract-more-young-members.md","posts/2025-04-26-how-camra-can-attract-more-young-members","md",1779024882136]