SCHEDULE & AGENDA
NOTE: This page will be updated as speakers and session details are confirmed.
DAY 1
Sun, April 26
DAY 2
Mon, April 27
DAY 3
Tue, April 28
DAY 4
Wed, April 29
DAY 1
Sun, April 26
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
DAY 2
Mon, April 27
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 – 1:30 PM
Break
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Bar Summit Group Photo
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM – 4:00 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
DAY 3
Tue, April 28
10:30 AM
Registration Table Opens at Convene
30 S 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 1910311:00 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 WinesAt 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 Floor
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Everything You Need to Know to Run a Chapter You Learned Behind the Bar – presented by Bo Shuff and Matt Thompson
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 191039:30 PM – 12:00 AM
After Party
At Midnight at College of Physicians of PhiladelphiaSponsored by Heaven Hill
12:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Sponsored Late-Night Events or see the city on your own
DAY 4
Wed, April 29
Fun Day: Hosted by USBG Philadelphia
COCKTAILS AND CANNONBALLS -OR- DIVE IN, PHILLY
Noon – 3PM: Rooftop Cabana Pool Party @ The W Hotel (1439 Chestnut)
3:30 – 6PM: Distillery Activation + Happy Hour @ Philadelphia Distilling (25 East Allen Street)
Staying later? Ask a Philadelphia Chapter Leader for recommendations
Dress code: Bring a bathing suit, pool’s open.
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.
Arrival / Departure Suggestions
Airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – 10 miles Rittenhouse Square and Conference Hub
Arrive by 4:00 PM ET (local time) on Sunday, April 26
Depart at your convenience on Wednesday, April 29 – Without Fun Day
Depart after 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 29 – With Fun Day
TRACKS
USBG Chapter Leadership
These seminars are reserved for USBG Chapter Leaders. Seminars under this track include general leadership, chapter finances, fundraising, membership, general chapter operations and governance, social media, marketing, volunteer management, event planning and management.
Professional Development
These seminars are industry-driven and designed for bartenders and industry professionals with a focus beyond the introductory level. Seminars under this track include spirit category exploration, cocktails and trends, techniques, methodology, career possibilities, and a conference excursion.
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