The International Beverage Dispensing Equipment Association (IBDEA) recently opened the IBDEA University at the Leonard Bugajewski Learning Center in Detroit located at 17330 Ryan Rd., just north of Hamtramck.
Developed through a partnership with Leonard’s Syrups, which is located next door, the educational facility was designed for the advancement of beverage and gas dispensing professionals, technical leaders, fellow members, and industry educators.
The inaugural education center course was sold out and registration is open here for the November session.
The center is said to be a reflection of the vision of Leonard Bugajewski and the entire Leonard’s Syrups family. The facility was designed with multiple training rooms, high-tech equipment, and fully operational draught and soda systems that mirror real-world conditions.
It includes a designated gas safety training area, interactive demo labs, and flexible classrooms that can scale with the program’s rapid growth.
“This academy is more than a facility, it’s a force for change,” says Leonard Bugajewski, CEO of Leonard’s Syrups. “We’ve invested in creating a space that doesn’t just teach the basics, but it builds professionals, it builds leaders.”
The IBDEA, originally known as the NBDEA (National Soda Dispensing Equipment Association) was chartered in 1970 and has spent more than 50 years advancing the beverage and gas industry through collaboration, innovation, and education.
“IBDEAU is where our mission comes to life,” says Lenette Egan, executive director of IBDEA. “The learning center is proof that IBDEA is not just responding to industry change, but that we are really driving it.”
At the core of the IBDEAU at the Leonard Bugajewski Learning Center are two flagship programs, purpose-built to serve different segments of the beverage industry.
Together with four current courses and more to come in 2026, officials say these programs highlight the organizations commitment to delivering practical, high-impact education for its members.
Among the highlights of the academy are:
Direct Learning: Every student installs, troubleshoots, and calibrates actual systems, not just simulations, ensuring they leave ready to apply what they have learned on the job.
Industry-driven Curriculum: Courses are designed by experts and reflect the latest in beverage system technologies, gas safety protocols, and customer service expectations.
Small Cohorts, Big Impact: Students train in small teams for personalized instruction and high-impact results.
Certificate of Completion and Career Growth: Graduates receive a diploma recognized across the industry as a mark of competence, professionalism, and career readiness.
IBDEAU programs include the Draught Beverage Academy, a four-day immersive course focused on the essentials of draught beer, wine, and liquor systems — from installation to cleaning and safety
The Dispensed Beverage Academy is a three-day training intensive designed for technicians working with soda systems, carbonation, and bulk gas setups.
For more information, visit here.
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