AGENDA

AM Arrivals

4:00 PM-6:00 PM

Registration at the Sonesta Philadephia Rittenhouse Square

1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Welcome Reception at USBG Guildhouse: Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse

1913 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

9:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Sponsored Late-Night Events or See the City on own

10:30 AM

Registration Table Opens at Convene

30 S 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Lunch at Convene

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Keynote Speaker

Convene, 30 S 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Bar Summit Group Photo

1:00 – 4:00 PM

Sponsor Lounge: Rioja Wines

Break Bar sponsored by Sun Cruiser and Twisted Tea

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

General Session: Everything You Need to Know to Run a Chapter You Learned Behind the Bar presented by Bo Shuff and Matt Thompson

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

Regional Meetings

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Free Time

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Regional Dinners

8:30 PM – 11:30 PM

Meet the Sponsors at USBG Guildhouse: Midnight & The Wicked

1500 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

12:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Sponsored Late-Night Events or See the City on own

10:30 AM

Registration Table Opens at Convene

30 S 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Lunch at Convene

12:00 – 1:00 PM

General Session: How to Start Advocacy Work in Your Chapter – presented by Liz Pirnat and Bo Shuff

A practical overview of how bartenders can advocate for their community, covering grassroots engagement, effective lobbying, and how to prepare for and meet with local officials to drive meaningful change.

At The Forum At Convene, 13th Floor (30 S 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103)

1:00 – 1:30 PM

Break

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Community is the New Currency – presented by Keyatta Mincey Parker and Sherri Jenkins

In an industry built on people, community is the most valuable form of capital. This session explores how bartenders, hospitality professionals, and entrepreneurs can redefine wealth by building meaningful ecosystems of trust, support, and collaboration.
At The Forum at Convene, 13th Floor

1:30 – 2:30 PM

New Rioja: Classic Roots & Modern Pour of Spain’s Finest Wine Region – presented by Robin O’Connor

Rioja = Tradition + Innovation. Sponsored by Rioja Wines
At The Pavilion Hub at Convene, 14th Floor

2:30 – 3:00 PM

Break

3:00 – 3:45 PM

The Win Within: Personal Growth Through Competition – presented by Lauren Pellecchia

One entry at a time, one lesson learned: unlock continuous improvement that outlasts the competition cycle.
At The Broad Hub at Convene, 14th Floor

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Slow Drinks 101 – presented by Danny Childs

Learn the principles of making drinks with foraged and cultivated botanical ingredients using age-old techniques, including fermentation, vinegar preserves, sugar preserves, alcoholic infusions, and more. Sponsored by Heaven Hill.
At The Pavilion Hub at Convene, 14th Floor

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Setting the Course: Boundaries, Balance, and Brilliance in Hospitality Consulting – presented by Ariel Neal and Janell Richmond

Consulting with Confidence. Learn about the necessity of proactive boundary setting, relationship management, setting and managing expectations, and unique challenges in the hospitality industry, as these topics relate to consulting work.
At The Forum at Convene, 13th Floor

4:00 – 4:30 PM

Break

4:30 – 5:30 PM

Angostura and All Things Bitter – presented by Raymond Edwards

Angostura’s Raymond Edwards explores the history, production, and usage of bitters culminating with an interactive showcase of the power of bitters in cocktail creation. Sponsored by Angostura (MIZKAN).
At The Pavilion Hub at Convene, 14th Floor

4:30 – 5:30 PM

Beyond the Bar: The Rise of Mobile Bartending and the New Era of Beverage Entrepreneurship – presented by Diesha Banner, Rhonda Malone Cammon, Jesideh Clinton, and De’Qustay Johnson

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve post-pandemic, bartenders are redefining what it means to build a career beyond the bar. This panel explores how mobile bartending has become the next wave of off-premise activation and entrepreneurial opportunity. From navigating state alcohol laws and liability to managing contracts, client expectations, and brand partnerships, this discussion dives deep into the structure, ethics, and business models of mobile bartending.
At The Broad Hub at Convene, 14th Floo

At The Forum at Convene, 13th Floor

5:30 – 7:30 PM

Free Time

7:30 – 9:30 PM

Chapter Awards Dinner at College of Physicians of Philadelphia

19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

9:30 PM – 12:00 AM

After Party

At Midnight at College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Sponsored by Heaven Hill

12:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Sponsored Late-Night Events or see the city on your own

Fun Day: Hosted by USBG Philadelphia

12:00–3:00 PM: Bus departs from Sonesta – 1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

For those departing later in the evening, join our Host Chapter for a revolutionary bartender field trip by motorcoach through Philly’s legendary landmark-lined streets. Enjoy lunch and cocktail toasts to the city’s revolutionary spirit during the 250th year since the country’s independence. At the conclusion of the ride, attendees and their luggage will be dropped off at Philadelphia Distilling. Bus capacity is limited.

3:30 – 6:00 PM: Philadelphia Distilling – 25 E. Allen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Fun Day continues at Philadelphia Distilling with a never-before-seen product sampling, small-group distillery tours, and a custom swag workshop so you can take the fun of Bar Summit home with you. (For safety, guests wearing open-toe or high-heeled shoes may not participate in the distillery tour portion of the experience.) Luggage storage provided.

Staying later? Ask a Philadelphia Chapter Leader for recommendations

Dress code: Casual (closed-toe shoes if you want to participate in the distillery tour)

PM Departures – Attendees are encouraged to book evening flights on Wednesday, April 29, to enjoy one last celebration with their fellow attendees and the USBG Philadelphia Chapter.