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SPEAKERS

Check out our excellent speakers!
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CALL FOR SPEAKERS

Be a part of history!
We are currently seeking Speaker Submissions for the USBG 75th Diamond Jubilee Conference & Gala.

Submit Here

Have you ever had an interest in sharing knowledge with others, or speaking to a group of people about something that interests you? It is not as scary as some may think. In fact, the feeling one gets when they realize they have just impacted a room full of people is quite extraordinary. Be a part of supporting our efforts to educate and build community amongst bartenders and the growth and development of our industry.

Speaker submissions are being accepted for the following categories:

  • Advanced Bartending
  • Leadership (General & Chapter Operations/Governance)
  • Social Responsibility

We are accepting Speaker Submissions through March 1, 2023.
Accepted submission will be contacted in May to confirm all details.

For additional information, please view our SEMINAR FAQ’s.

ANNOUNCING THE USBG 75TH DIAMOND JUBILEE KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Brandon Chrostowski

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Address
Tuesday, August 15
1:00 – 2:00 PM

Founder, CEO and president of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute Brandon Edwin Chrostowski is renowned for changing culinary and hospitality training—in and out of the nation’s prisons—while preserving French cooking traditions. His mission-driven effort to train and staff former prison inmates at his flagship French restaurant and nonprofit has created a national model for re-entry and an educational pipeline for formerly incarcerated to learn the discipline and skill of fine dining.

Touting a one percent recidivism rate, his impactful social program provides more than 100 formerly incarcerated adults with free culinary and hospitality arts training each year. Since founding EDWINS in 2007, Chrostowski has reinforced his mission by opening Edwins Too, a culinary incubator and community kitchen; EDWINS Butcher Shop and Bakery and Diner; a Second Chance Life Skills Center with housing and wraparound services; EDWINS Family Center, a nonprofit that provides free daycare to Institute students during class hours; on-site programs at Grafton Correctional Institute and Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center; and offering virtual curriculum to more than 400,000 inmates at prisons across the country.

A classically trained chef and sommelier, Chrostowski honed his skills at fine dining establishments in Paris, New York, and Chicago, including Lucas Carton, Chanterelle, Picholine, Le Cirque and Charlie Trotter’s. Recognition of his culinary efforts include 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist, 2023 James Beard Finalist; IFMA’s 2020 Silver Plate, CNN 2016 Heroes, Crain’s “40 under 40” Awards; The Richard C. Cornuelle Award from the Manhattan Institute for Social Entrepreneurship; being featured as the subject of the Academy Award nominated documentary Knife Skills; and features in notable national media outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post and TODAY. Chrostowski earned an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Restaurant Management from The Culinary Institute of America. He resides in Cleveland with his wife Catana and their children, Leo, Lilly and Lynx.

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Melissa Anaya

@eatdrinkaz @eatdrinkcreativeagency


Melissa Anaya

@eatdrinkaz @eatdrinkcreativeagency

Melissa Anaya was born and raised in the Valley of the Sun and her passion for food, dining, and hospitality shines through everything she does. Eat Drink AZ is her influencer platform to review, share and promote restaurants, bars and hospitality hot spots. Eat Drink Creative Agency is the 'back of house' work where Melissa and her team of creative professionals put together marketing strategies and campaigns that leave your audience hungry for more.

Seminar:
Know Your Business
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Alison Anne

@RstrntRvolution


Alison Anne

@RstrntRvolution

Working with restaurant employees to feel more in control of their lives and businesses was never Alison's first choice of career. She was going to be... AN ACTOR. And this restaurant thing? Just a side gig.

And after seeing (and feeling) the high level of burnout, dissatisfaction, and turnover plaguing the industry, she discovered she had a knack for drilling down into the heart of what makes restaurants - and restaurant people - tick. She has this crazy idea that we can work in hospitality without killing ourselves. With a primary focus on leadership & team development and employee support & well-being from the GM to the dishwasher, she works with people to reconnect with the fun and freedom that got so many of us into this industry in the first place, and to make more money while doing it.

Seminar:
How Do I Get Everyone to Care as Much as I Do?
Monday, August 14: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Kailee Asher

@annkailee


Kailee Asher

@annkailee

Kailee Asher is the Director of Marketing & PR for Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality. With over ten years of hospitality and bartending experience from nightclubs to Five Star, Five Diamond Resorts, she honed in her mixology skills. Mrs. Asher then relocated to Arizona in 2013 and managed a small cocktail program at a James Beard-nominated restaurant, Virtú Honest Craft. In 2014, she began working with Azuñia Tequila as Arizona and New Mexico Sales Manager for on & off-premise channels. Kailee is now assisting her husband, Jason Asher, to manage all marketing and public relations initiatives with their businesses located in Phoenix, Arizona. Her responsibilities include special events, brand partnerships, creative marketing strategies, and launching an educational platform.

Seminar:
Know Your Business
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Maria Bastasch


Maria Bastasch

Maria Bastasch is much more than a sommelier. She’s also a philanthropist and educator, and travels the world with wine as her guide. She visits relatively unknown wine producers to learn and purchase wine from them, helping fuel the regions and communities that need support most. When she’s not advocating for underrepresented winemakers abroad, Bastasch is the wine director at Washington, D.C.’s Maydan, a James Beard Award semifinalist, and its sister restaurant, Compass Rose. Sharing the bottles and stories she collects around the world gives her guests and co-workers a fresh perspective, which she says brings her joy.

Seminar:
A Better Buzz: How to Make Great Non-alcoholic Cocktails with Functional Ingredients
Monday, August 14: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Aspen Bingham

@aspenblivefree


Aspen Bingham

@aspenblivefree

Aspen Bingham is currently the bar manager at Garden Bar PHX. Aspen has combined her education and craft cocktail skills to highlight cultural, environmental, social, and economic sustainability issues. While applying environmentally sustainable techniques to her creations she also explores difficult topics with her cocktails allowing her to showcase solutions and also discuss the negative sides of each issue. She draws much of her inspiration from the Sonoran desert where the ever-growing city of Phoenix is located.

Seminar:
Sustainable Waste Management in Your Bar: How Hard is it Really?
Monday, August 14: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Derek Brown


Derek Brown

Derek Brown is an author, NASM-certified wellness coach, and founder of Positive Damage, Inc.

Seminar:
A Better Buzz: How to Make Great Non-alcoholic Cocktails with Functional Ingredients
Monday, August 14: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Johnny Caldwell


Johnny Caldwell

Johnny Caldwell, a Charleston native, has a unique perspective on the food and beverage industry. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from The College of Charleston and her Juris Doctorate from Charleston School of Law. Johnny is the co-founder of Cocktail Bandits (a blog platform that promotes female empowerment by advocating for the food and beverage community from a feminine, urban perspective). She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The United States Bartender’s Guild and Les Dames D'escoffier.

Seminar:
Inclusivity Increases Profits
Tuesday, August 15: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Anel Cuenca


Anel Cuenca

Talent Acquisition Manager - West Region, Control States & Canada at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

Seminar:
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits: A Premium Selection!
Monday, August 14: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Aaron DeFeo


Aaron DeFeo

Tucson native Aaron DeFeo is best known as the co-owner and Bar Director of the award-winning Little Rituals, a 75-seat reimagining of the hotel bar concept in Downtown Phoenix, as well as a founder of Stabyl Beverage Co. Renowned for his imaginative use of natural and locally sourced ingredients, DeFeo’s cocktails have earned him multiple local and national accolades. A passionate advocate of creative mixology, DeFeo holds more than 20 years of experience and has been credited with elevating Arizona’s cocktail culture. During his career, DeFeo has competed in more than 25 national and international competitions and has been featured in several publications, including Nightclub & Bar Magazine, The Tasting Panel, Imbibe Magazine, The Los Angeles Times and FoxNews.com.

Seminar:
Know Your Business
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Michael Delmonico


Michael Delmonico

Michael Delmonico (Mike) is a dynamic individual with a diverse background and a passion for helping others. For over a decade, he honed his skills as a high-volume bartender in downtown Denver, creating memorable experiences for patrons. Although he loved the bustling atmosphere of the bar scene, Mike felt a strong desire to assist friends with financial matters, leading him to make a career switch. Recognizing the importance of financial guidance, Mike decided to pursue a career as a fully licensed advisor. With nine years of experience in the field, he has developed a deep understanding of investment strategies, financial planning, and wealth management.

Seminar:
Financial Control: Are You in Charge Financially?
Monday, August 14: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Ray DelMuro

@raydelmuro @refresh_glass


Ray DelMuro

@raydelmuro @refresh_glass

Ray DelMuro is a former aerospace engineer and founder of Refresh Glass, who is on a mission to rescue 10 million bottles from the local community and turn them into everyday useful products that can be decorated, gifted, and used daily. Today the company makes personalized glasses for Nike, Waste Management, and Toyota . Their wares are used in FnB, Spago, Ritz Carlton, and many others. Refresh Glass has been seen on Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, featured by Inc as “One of 7 client gifts that will make you unforgettable”, and are past recipients of ‘Recycling Small Business of the Year’ for their home state of Arizona.

Seminar:
Sustainable Waste Management in Your Bar: How Hard is it Really?
Monday, August 14: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Kevin Finch


Kevin Finch

Kevin Finch leads the team at Big Table (www.big-table.com) – a non-profit that launched in 2009 in the Northwest to care for those in crisis in the place with the highest concentration of need in our nation – the restaurant, bar, and hospitality industry. Big Table currently has care teams in San Diego CA, Spokane WA, Colorado Springs CO, and Nashville TN with plans to add six additional cities by 2029. Before forming Big Table, Kevin served both as food critic for 10 years and a pastor for 15. In a corner of his garage or under the stairs, you’ll find two bikes, skis, rarely used golf clubs, wine and a couple good whiskeys, a stack of books on cartooning, and enough cookbooks to stock a library.

Seminar:
Creating Community and Relationship for Coworkers in Crisis
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Kristi Gardner


Kristi Gardner

Kristi Gardner has been with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for 16 years and is currently a Director, Talent Acquisition. Kristi and her team partner with Commercial Leaders across the U.S. and Canada to oversee the Commercial recruiting efforts for the organization. Throughout her 25+ years in Human Resources, Talent Acquisition has always been a part of her responsibilities. Kristi grew up in Oklahoma and attended the University of Central Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelors in Human Resources. Throughout her career, she has continued her education through Professional Development and has earned her PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, EQi/EQ360 & Hogan Certifications; and is currently working towards her ICF Coaching Certification.

Seminar:
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits: A Premium Selection
Monday, August 14: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Makeda Gebre


Makeda Gebre

Makeda Gebre spent 18 years in hospitality with the majority of her time spent behind the stick designing cocktail menus, new restaurant openings and competitive cocktail competitions. In the height of the pandemic- she made the decision to switch gears for both personal and professional reasons. Now a licensed financial professional, she's dedicated her time to help her former hospitality colleagues achieve the financial accreditation deserved through education and action.

Seminar:
Financial Control: Are You in Charge Financially?
Monday, August 14: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Danielle Goldtooth


Danielle Goldtooth

Mother, Mixologist, Farmer, Rancher, Forager, and Business Owner.

Seminar:
The Blend Presents Refire #2
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Alejandro Gómez


Alejandro Gómez

Alejandro Gómez is Vice President – Multicultural & Shopper Commercial Strategy for Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits. Leading the Multicultural Center of Excellence, in this role, Alejandro is responsible for developing diverse consumer and shopper marketing strategies for suppliers and customers and amplifying initiatives to support minority and women owned brands. Additionally, he serves as the subject matter expert on segmented activation in partnership with suppliers, customers, sales leadership, and commercial operations.

Alejandro has close to 30 years of progressive experience in global brand marketing and commercialization.

Seminar:
Driving DEI in the Hospitality Industry
Tuesday, August 15: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Haleigh Harrold


Haleigh Harrold

Haleigh Harrold is a nonprofit leader with over 10 years of experience working closely with diverse communities to shift social norms with the goal of increasing safety and preventing harm. While she has seen programs succeed at helping people build individual skills, it wasn't until Haleigh started working with alcohol-serving venues that she finally saw programming successfully shift social norms to encourage people to use active bystander skills to increase safety. At that point, Haleigh became all in on partnering with the teams at alcohol-serving venues to increase safety.

Seminar:
SAFE Bar Network Training
Monday, August 14: 9:00 - 10:30 AM
Tuesday, August 15: 9:00 - 10:30 AM

Kyla Hein

@kulaburie


Kyla Hein

@kulaburie

I am one of three owners of TWP Hospitality, we own 10 bars and restaurants including Whining Pig, Pigtails, Rough Rider, Coabana, and Teddy’s Preserve. Hospitality, Mixology and Education are my passion and I love what I do!

Seminar:
Know Your Business
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

John Henderson

@Highball.Hendo


John Henderson

From roles as head bartender in Boston to brand ambassador and trainer in New York, John was a fixture in the upper Northeast bar scene. John brings ten plus years of experience to his role as Master Educator for The Diageo Hospitality Partnership. He has earned the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 1 (2016) and Level 2 (2017) certifications, is a Certified Spirits Specialist (CSS) with the Society of Wine Educators
(2018). He also holds both a General Certificate of Spirits Packaging and a General Certificate of Distilling (GCD) from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (2021). John is also a 2013 US Finalist and 2014 Northeast Regional Finalist in the USBG Presents World Class US Competition.

Seminar:
Communication & Teamwork
Monday, August 14: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Akilah Iyare


Akilah Iyare

Akilah Iyare began in the food and beverage industry in 2012 and hasn’t left ever since. While attending the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, Tx, she worked her way up in the industry from a hostess to a bartender and eventually a bar manager. Akilah’s love for the food and beverage industry and passion for Marketing was perfectly combined when she became the Marketing Director for the SAFE Bar Network. Now, she travels and teaches others in the food and beverage industry the importance of being an active bystander and how to promote having a SAFE Night Out.

Seminar:
SAFE Bar Network Training
Monday, August 14: 9:00 - 10:30 AM
Tuesday, August 15: 9:00 - 10:30 AM

Sherri Jenkins


Sherri Jenkins

Sherri Jenkins is an award-winning bartender from Louisville, Kentucky, who has worked behind the bar since 2015 everywhere in the city from upscale cocktail lounges to private dining and community events. She serves on the board of directors for the Kentucky chapter of USBG and holds the first position for conflict resolution officer and wellness chair. She currently bartends at Corridor Bar in Nulu – a premiere agave and rum spirit-forward cocktail bar and lounge. Sherri is also a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, Usui Reiki II Practitioner, and Owner of Beutifull Remedi, LLC – private practice specializing in counseling and wellness services.

Seminar:
More Walk, But Still Talk
Tuesday, August 15: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Matt Jensen


Matt Jensen

Matt Jensen is the Director of Strategic Engagement and has served on the Big Table Board of Directors before joining the team in 2023. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in Hospitality Business and has over 34 years of experience working in the hotel industry. Companies include Hyatt Hotels, Kimpton Hotels and most recently Davenport Hotels. Matt’s industry experience has been mostly focused on Sales, Catering and Marketing. His career has included oversight of fund-raising events for non-profits and for the last 20 years, the giving and philanthropic efforts of Davenport Hotels in the Spokane community.

Seminar:
Creating Community and Relationship for Coworkers in Crisis
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Amanda Jordan


Amanda Jordan

Amanda is the Circular Economy Project Manager for the City of Phoenix where she works collaboratively across the Public Works Department and the Community and Economic Development Department to drive forward the City’s circular economy initiatives. Amanda oversees research, planning, development, and marketing efforts to identify and recruit innovators to the 27th Avenue Resource Innovation Campus, manages internal and external partnerships to advance circular economy efforts, and develops outreach and education components to aid local Phoenix based businesses and residents in adopting circular economy principles. She is an alumni of Parsons School of Design and ASU’s School of Sustainability.

Seminar:
Sustainable Waste Management in Your Bar: How Hard is it Really?
Monday, August 14: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Rasmus Just

@justscotch @justspiritsus


Rasmus Just

Rasmus “Raz” Just is an internationally known brand ambassador and cocktail personality. With 17 years of global hospitality experience, Rasmus started his industry career as an Owner/Manager of a hospitality group in Denmark which included running two Cuban cocktail bars as well as major events and festivals. Then, he turned his considerable talents to the Diageo Portfolio, where he has been the US National Scotch Educator, a Senior Reserve Consultant in Miami, a Senior Diageo Reserve Ambassador in the Nordics (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland), and a Zacapa Ambassador for Diageo Scandinavia. At Enthuse Marketing, Rasmus is currently the Master Educator for the East working on the Diageo Portfolio and is based in Miami.

Seminar:
Communication & Teamwork
Monday, August 14: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Allan Kehler B.Ed, E.PhEd


Allan Kehler B.Ed, E.PhEd

Allan is a mental health advocate, international keynote speaker, and best-selling author of four books. Allan is a highly sought-after speaker when it comes to the topic of mental health and wellness. He has stood on more than 500 stages and is recognized for his engaging style and captivating approach. Recently, Allan and his wife, Tanya, launched Born Resilient TM - a clothing line that empowers people to persevere through their challenges and find their inner strength. They are proud to donate a percentage of their profits to organizations that promote wellness.

Seminar:
Mental Health: Finding Your Voice
Tuesday, August 15: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Rachel Kling


Rachel Kling

While Diageo Hospitality Partnership Master Educator Rachel Kling started her professional career with her sights set on practicing law, working in the bar industry quickly evolved from a part-time job to a lifelong passion. She was behind the bar for over a decade in Washington, DC, where she became active in competitive bartending and held leadership roles in the DC Craft Bartenders Guild and USBG DC chapter. Rachel is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, holds WSET Level III Certification with Merit and Executive Bourbon Steward with the Stave & Thief Society among other certifications and degrees.

As Master Educator on the West Coast, Rachel’s hallmark is delving into the historical and societal implications of the liquor industry spiderweb within her dynamic presentations.

Seminar:
Dames in Distilling
Monday, August 14: 4:00- 5:00 PM

Seminar:
Spice Up Your Life
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00- 5:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Livio Lauro


Livio Lauro

Livio Lauro is a Drink expert and a Cocktail historian. He started his beverage career 30 years ago in Southern Italy on the beautiful island of Ischia in the heart of the Mediterranean. Livio is widely recognized as one of the most instrumental figures in the resurgence of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) and served as National President from 2004 to 2010. Since 2001, Livio has been employed by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits in Las Vegas (SGWS). He also serves as a Spirits judge for three prominent international Spirits awards organizations. Livio owns some 1400 vintage and modern books on mixology, hospitality, alcoholic beverages, and is deeply passionate about his research on these topics. Livio is also a resident lecturer in the topics of alcoholic beverages at UNLV which was recently the highest ranked hospitality program in the country. He hosts a weekly show on YouTube called Master Your Glass and is the author of the “Liquid Legacy” and the co-author of “The Twelve Cocktails” and “The Beverage Engineer”.

General Session: 
USBG Liquid Legacy: The Profound Journey of America’s Post Prohibition Bartenders’ Guild
Monday, August 14: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Matthew Maroon


Matthew Maroon

Matt is the owner of the Happy Camper Bar Car, one of America's first craft cocktail bars on wheels. Founded in 2015, he's been doing draft cocktails ever since he realized how many bartenders you'd need to shake drinks at a 200 person open bar! During the off-season, he also consults for craft cocktail bars, designing draft cocktails for establishments all over the world, and runs The Happy Camper Cocktail Co, a site dedicated to ingredients, hardware, and techniques for doing large format craft cocktails so you too can wow strangers and disappoint your parents.

Seminar: 
Cocktail Kegging for Beginners
Tuesday, August 15: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Lynnette Marrero


Lynnette Marrero

Lynnette Marrero’s career began when she accepted a job at NYC’s Flatiron Lounge. Marrero quickly transitioned from cocktail server to bartender and knew that the spirits industry was her calling. Marrero helmed the opening and became Bar Director at New York hotspots The Llama Inn and Llama San for over 6 years. Other notable projects Marrero’s has worked on include: creating the bar program for Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream, being the National Brand Mixologist for Perrier Sparkling Water and San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages, and working with Zacapa Rum team as their trade educator and mixologist, and is the liquid creative director for the non-alcohol drinks company, Aplós.

Seminar: 
A Better Buzz: How to Make Great Non-alcoholic Cocktails with Functional Ingredients
Monday, August 14: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Brian Masilionis


Brian Masilionis

Brian brings 25 years of advertising, marketing strategy, public relations and strategic insights and analytics experience in retail, foodservice and the beverage alcohol industry from an agency, client, and sales perspective to his role as Director, National Accounts On-Premise Commercial Strategy for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

Before joining SGWS, he was responsible for developing and executing the national billion-dollar beverage program for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar from 2004-2013. At SGWS, he’s worked with large chain accounts and led the team’s cocktail trend research, presenting as a keynote speaker at the Flavor Experience Conference in 2017 and 2018 and featured in magazines like Flavor and the Menu, Spirits Magazine, The Drinks Business and The Tasting Panel. In 2022, he’s led the Liquid Insights Tour, a national cocktail and wine trends and educational tour for Southern Glazer’s. He holds certifications as a Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits from the Society of Wine Educators and Level 1 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Seminar:
Liquid Insights Tour
Monday, August 14: 2:30 – 3:30 PM

Sponsored By:

T. Cole Newton


T. Cole Newton

General Session:
USBG Liquid Legacy: The Profound Journey of America’s Post Prohibition Bartenders’ Guild
Monday, August 14: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Keyatta Mincey Parker


Keyatta Mincey Parker

Keyatta Mincey Parker is a Liberian American bartender that has over 25 years of experience in hospitality, fine dining, and mixology. Keyatta, as the executive director leads all program administration and functional operations for A Sip of Paradise Garden, coordinating informative seminars and training to ensure the health and wellness of all garden members and the surrounding community. Her mission is to grow A Sip of Paradise Garden to be a global brand, blending her world of hospitality and cocktails with gardening, her motto is “ Happy bartenders, better cocktails”.

Seminar:
More Walk, But Still Talk
Tuesday, August 15: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Alexis Percival

@alexis_percival www.alexispercival.com


Alexis Percival

@alexis_percival / www.alexispercival.com

Alexis Percival is a New York City based CMS certified sommelier, consultant and event planner who puts the art in party. In addition to being WSET Level 3 certified and Vine Pair’s Sommelier of the Year in 2021, her wine experience covers a broad spectrum of the hospitality business. She is a Managing Partner & Owner of Ruffian Wine Bar and (formerly) Kindred in the East Village of Manhattan and is a Wine Consultant for Steak Frites, recently featured in the NY Times.

Seminar:
Demystifying Blind Wine Tasting
Monday, August 14: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Matt Pietrek

@rumwonk @cocktailwonk @moderncaribbeanrum


Matt Pietrek

@rumwonk @cocktailwonk @moderncaribbeanrum

Matt Pietrek is a rum educator, author, consultant and historian who works with many of the rum world’s best-known companies. He also serves as the Community Envoy for the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association, where he regularly interacts with many Caribbean rum makers’ management and technical staff. He contributed entries to the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails and has written for drinks industry publications such as PUNCH.
In a previous life, Pietrek was a software architect for several high-profile companies, including Microsoft. He lives in New Orleans with Carrie and their dog, Nelson.

Seminar:
Where Are We in the Rum Revolution
Tuesday, August 15: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Jeffrey Pogash


Jeffrey Pogash

Jeffrey has been a member of The Cocktail Guru Team (founded by his son, Jonathan, in 2006) since he retired as Director of Communication at Moet Hennessy USA in 2011 and lends his expertise in spirits and wine education. Jeffrey has become an industry expert with regards to classic cocktail and bar ephemera, including an extensive vintage menu and cocktail book collection – one of the greatest in the world. Jeffrey co-hosts an industry-focused podcast “The Cocktail Guru Podcast” with Jonathan and is a wine and cocktail book author.

Seminar:
The Foundations of French Liqueurs
Tuesday, August 15: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Jonathan Pogash


Jonathan Pogash

Jonathan Pogash, founder/owner of The Cocktail Guru is a cocktail consultant, educator and cocktail book author with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Jonathan is editor of the world-famous 75th Anniversary Edition of the Mr. Boston Bartender's Guide, and he regularly appears on local and national TV and Radio.

Seminar:
The Foundations of French Liqueurs
Tuesday, August 15: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Cynthia Pong


Cynthia Pong

Cynthia Pong, JD, is an award-winning career and leadership coach, speaker, and author of Don't Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color. An NYU-trained lawyer turned career coach, she founded her company, Embrace Change, to get women of color––and people of color––the money, power, and respect that they deserve. In 2023, the flagship leadership training program she created and launched, the Leadership Accelerator (134% funded through one month of crowdfunding), won an Anthem Award. Graduates of the Leadership Accelerator have gone on to land prestigious fellowships (White House, Harvard, Stanford), paid speaking engagements, and promotions and raises. Cynthia's been featured in The Atlantic, NBC, CBS, and NPR; she's shared a virtual stage with Magic Johnson, and is a LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search and Career.

Cynthia is a proud introvert, a classic middle child, and an unapologetic Rottweiler enthusiast.

Seminar:
The Blend Presents Refire #1
Monday, August 14: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Sponsored By:

Matt Ray

@itsmemattray


Matt Ray

@itsmemattray

Matt Ray is one of the Experience Team Leads of the Sazerac House, an interactive cocktail museum located in downtown New Orleans. Matt has worked in hospitality for over twenty years, from Walt Disney World to local James Beard winner "Cure". He left the industry at one point to teach English and history at a local high school but returned to the hospitality industry with his education experience in tow. He is WSET Lvl3 Certified in Spirits, CSS certified, an Executive Steward of the Stave & Thief Society, a U.S. Bartender's Guild Certified Spirits Professional, a beginner-level sommelier, and an alum of bartender training camps Runamok, Juniper Harvest, and Tiki by the Sea.

Seminar:
What Works (and Doesn't Work) in Staff Education
Monday, August 14: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Taneka Reaves

Co-Founder
The Cocktail Bandits


Taneka Reaves

Co-Founder, The Cocktail Bandits

Taneka Reaves is co-founder of The Cocktail Bandits. She has been in the beverage industry for over 15 years. In 2013, because of lack of employment opportunities and lack of diversity in the hospitality business, Taneka partnered with friend Johnny Caldwell to create the beverage brand Cocktail Bandits. The Cocktail Bandits have been well received by the beverage community and have been given the unique opportunity to travel regionally, nationally, and internationally, to learn about cultures through cocktails. In 2018, The Cocktail Bandits wrote the book, Holy Spirits: Charleston’s Culture Through Cocktails, which is the first cocktail book written by African American women in this country.

Seminar:
Inclusivity Increases Profits
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Randy Tarlow

@randyjtarlow


Randy Tarlow

@randyjtarlow

Randy Tarlow is the founder of Liquid Alchemist cocktail syrups. After years of professional bar experience, he started Liquid Alchemist in 2009 growing from DIY-at-home to a nationally distributed brand. Tarlow is a dedicated supporter of the global cocktail community and advocate of service & hospitality in the industry.

Seminar:
Get Organized! Unlock Your Potential for Success
Tuesday, August 15: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Toshio Ueno MSS, DipWSET, CSW, FWS, SWS, IWS, CS


Toshio Ueno MSS, DipWSET, CSW, FWS, SWS, IWS, CS

Toshio is the creator of Sake School of America and English Shochu Adviser Certificate program, and only one in the world to hold Master of Sake (酒匠), Master Sake Sommelier (日本酒学講師), WSET Sake Educator diploma and WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits. Born in Japan where his family has grown Japanese wine grape, Koshu, for generations, Toshio grew up helping the business from a young age. Following his college education in the US and employment at an international trading company in Tokyo, Toshio joined Chateraise, a pastry and wine company as Director of Sales. Toshio joined Mutual Trading Company in 2002, where he is Director of Sake Specialist Department in marketing Japanese foods, Sake, and Shochu to the mainstream American trade. With his passion and expertise in Sake, Shochu, and Wine, Toshio aims to further promote Japanese food and Sake cultures to new, international audiences.

Seminar:
Factors Influencing Japanese Craft Spirits
Monday, August 14: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Sponsored By:

Talia Leon-Villanueva


Talia Leon-Villanueva

Talia Leon-Villanueva is the Director of Multicultural Commercial Strategy of the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Multicultural Center of Excellence, North America’s largest wine and spirits distributor, and preeminent data insights company for alcoholic beverages.

Having spent over 20 years developing multicultural business with Fortune 500 brands such as Home Depot, JCPenney, Unilever brands, Darden brands, to name a few, Talia recognizes the importance and value of culture as a strategy for connecting to diverse consumers.

Seminar:
Driving DEI in the Hospitality Industry
Tuesday, August 15: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

Sponsored By:

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