ANNOUNCING THE 2026 USBG BAR SUMMIT KEYNOTE
Emcee
Tiffanie Barriere
@thedrinkingcoach
Speaker
Dale DeGroff
@kingcocktl
HEAR ALSO FROM THESE SPEAKERS
Theodore Breaux
@t.a.breaux
Theodore Breaux
@t.a.breaux
T. A. Breaux is a native New Orleanian and research scientist with over 30 years of research associated with absinthe. Ba. Research scientist and distiller with over 30 years of research associated with absinthe, founder of Jade Liqueurs, codirected the effort to lift the USA's 95-year ban on absinthe as well as the last vestiges of the original French ban. Subject in numerous international television appearances (The History Channel, Discovery Channel, CBS, MSNBC, Travel Channel, PBS, etc.), co-author of published, peer reviewed scientific studies on vintage absinthe and the book, "Absinthe: The Exquisite Elixir" (Chicago Review Press / Fulcrum - ISBN: 1682750019).
Seminars:
ABSINTHE: History, Mystery, and Mastering Its Mixology
Monday, May 19: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Aperitivo & Amaro: The Future of Classic Italian Spirits in Modern Mixology
Tuesday, May 20: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Felipe Castro C
@lettherebecheers
Felipe Castro C
@lettherebecheers
Bartender, Instructor, Consultant. Staple of the national and international IBA circuit, Former USA Champion and current Pan-American champion of IBA technique. Certified IBA Judge, Bar Manager and Trainer.
Seminar: Mastering IBA Technique for a Winning Strategy
Tuesday, May 20: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Ashley Danella
@iheartmartinis
Ashley Danella
@iheartmartinis
Ashley Danella is a builder. Enthusiastic, organized, and upbeat, she believes fostering relationships and thoughtful mentorship are what drive the hospitality industry forward. Ashley loves the sense of community she’s able to enjoy and create with her colleagues and guests.
During her twenty years in hospitality, she’s worked as a bartender, bar manager, beverage director, and brand ambassador. In her role with Mr Black, she is excited to grow a beloved brand and push the boundaries of coffee and cocktails.
When she isn’t working, Ashley loves classic cars, the beach, and cooking for friends. She lives in Miami Beach with her cat, Canelo.
Seminar: The Art of the Toast
Tuesday, May 20: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Darian Everding
@DrinkingWithDarian
Darian Everding
@DrinkingWithDarian
Darian Everding (she/they) is a queer, neurodivergent collector of stories, and an enthusiastic spirits professional. She loves absinthe mixology, community building, whisk(e)y of all types, and alcohol herstory! Darian currently bartends at London Underground, a pub and community space in Ames, Iowa. You’ll often find her there introducing someone to absinthe for the first time, creating bizarre and fun cocktails, cultivating Queer spaces and events, and sharing stories of women in whisk(e)y far and wide. Darian also serves as the Business Development Representative for the nonprofit organization SAFE Bar Network to bring accessible bystander intervention culture and training to bar programs across the United States.
Seminar: ABSINTHE! History, Mystery, & Mastering Its Mixology
Monday, May 19: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Josh Davis
@brownandbalanced
Josh Davis
@brownandbalanced
Josh Davis cares deeply for Black bartenders and has dedicated his life to ensuring the doors he’s opened stay open for the next generations. He has tirelessly worked to create opportunities for Black and brown bartenders at trade shows, in their hometowns, and most importantly, behind bars across the US. Josh Davis is the Founder and Operator of Brown & Balanced LLC an event that draws over 10,000 hospitality professionals annually. Between his work in markets and online (he has over 300K views of Brown & Balanced online!). Josh has the widest reach and loudest voice when it comes to advocating for Black bartenders.
Seminar: Navigating Code Switching in Hospitality
Monday, May 19: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Colleen Hughes
@ch.cocktails
Colleen Hughes
@ch.cocktails
Colleen Hughes is a multi-award-winning mixologist and Beverage Director for the Tonidandel-Brown restaurant group overseeing 5 different bar concepts including Supperland and Haberdish, with a 6th Leluia Hall due to launch in Winter 2025. A distilled spirits expert she was "Certified BAR Ready" by the Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. Colleen also served
for four years as a Director on the National Board of the United States Bartenders’ Guild and currently serves as the Chair of the National Membership Committee.
Seminar: What Do Our Members Want and How to Find New Ones
Wednesday, May 21: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Stephen Kurpinsky
@sjberto
Stephen Kurpinsky
@sjberto
In his role as US Brand Ambassador for Mr Black, Stephen brings a lifetime of knowledge in the coffee and cocktail world to his sole mission, to bring great coffee into the night. A lifelong community builder and natural leader, Stephen has previously served 4 years as San Diego USBG Chapter President, with further years on the local Board. Passionate about hospitality, Stephen has advocated for the bar community and worked to improve Bartenders Weekend in San Diego. He also founded Palm Springs Desert Escape, a retreat for industry professionals after the summer season, with proceeds benefitting community-related charities.
Seminar: The Art of the Toast
Tuesday, May 20: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Ariel Neal
@leiraknowscocktails
Ariel E. Neal
Ariel E. Neal has been a trailblazer in creating nonprofit spaces for underserved communities within the sector. As the first Black woman to serve as both President and Vice President of the Chicago USBG Chapter, Neal is dedicated to creating a lasting legacy by fostering and supporting other trailblazing women as her successors.
Neal co-founded Good Vibes Healing Haven, a beacon of hope offering holistic professional development through wellness and sustainable wellbeing workshops, training, and retreats tailored for hospitality professionals.
Presently, Neal is the Program Director at Turning Tables, A Workforce Development Program in New Orleans, where she passionately champions workforce development and community empowerment to foster professional growth. With an unwavering commitment, Neal elevates bartenders into esteemed hospitality professionals and strives to make spirits and beverage education accessible to all.
She has been an honored speaker at numerous industry events, and has judged cocktail competitions. She hosts insightful seminars and engaging panel discussions, and has previously done so at the USBG Summit Leadership Conference, Tales of the Cocktail, BCB, Elevate, and many more. Neal’s work has been featured in Magazines such as Ebony, Chilled, Food and Wine. She is most proud of her first endeavor as the inspirational force behind Leira Knows Cocktails, Events & Production LLC, a hospitality consulting firm that has been highly regarded since 2016.
Seminar: Going to the Moon on a Shark: The Do’s and Don’ts of Mentorship in the Bar
Tuesday, May 20: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
T. Cole Newton
@tcolenewton
T. Cole Newton
@tcolenewton
Cole Newton, a Washington, DC native, moved to New Orleans in 2006 to volunteer with AmeriCorps after Hurricane Katrina. Following his service, he bartended at Commander’s Palace before becoming the first bar manager at Coquette in 2008, where he launched its cocktail program. In 2010, he opened Twelve Mile Limit, a Mid City cocktail dive named Best Bar in New Orleans by The Manual in 2017. His second bar, the Domino, debuted in 2019 in the Bywater neighborhood.
Cole authored Cocktail Dive Bar: Real Drinks, Fake History, and Questionable Advice From New Orleans’s Twelve Mile Limit (2021), blending recipes, essays, and humor. Outside of bars, he serves as a National Board Director of the United States Bartenders’ Guild and Board Secretary of the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter.
Seminar: What Do Our Members Want and How to Find New Ones
Wednesday, May 21: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Keyatta Mincey Parker
@picturesandcocktails_
Keyatta Mincey Parker
@picturesandcocktails_
Keyatta Mincey Parker is a celebrated mixologist and the Chief Curating Officer of Pictures and Cocktails LLC, where she crafts innovative cocktails and experiences. With over two decades in hospitality, her background spans fine dining, hotels, dynamic clubs, and a deep connection to her Liberian heritage. Recognized as one of the South’s Top 50 Bartenders by Thrillist and Tastemakers, Keyatta has been featured in Forbes, Food and Wine, and Southern Living. She also founded A Sip of Paradise Garden, a non-profit community garden for Atlanta’s hospitality community, and recently joined Slow Foods Atlanta to advocate for food justice. Known for her luxurious yet approachable style, Keyatta shares that “Luxury isn't only for the rich.”
Seminar: Navigating Code Switching in Hospitality
Monday, May 19: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Robert Martinez
@cocktailsandotherlies
Robert Martinez
@cocktailsandotherlies
As President of USBG SoCal and 14 year veteran of the Hospitality Industry Robert believes it is his mission in life to educate, uplift, protect, and lead the hospitality community. An LA Native, Robert loves to celebrate Los Angeles' diversity through its food and drinking culture. He believes bars and restaurants use food and drinks as a vehicle to create connections with people and build communities. He's created these connections while bartending at neighborhood bars like Cole's French Dip, and as Bar Director for acclaimed Michelin Star Chef, Curtis Stone, at Gwen.
Seminar: USBG EventCraft
Tuesday, May 20: 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM
Matt Ray
@itsmemattray
Matt Ray
@itsmemattray
Matt Ray is part of the Shopper Marketing team for Sazerac. He has worked in hospitality for most of his life, from Walt Disney World to James Beard winner for cocktails, “Cure". Originally from Alabama, he uses his Appalachia accent to make spirits and cocktails fun and approachable for the average consumer. Matt collects spirits certifications and is an alumni of bartender training camps Runamok, Juniper Harvest, and Tiki by the Sea. Matt holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and still loves education. As a resource for the Sazerac Company, Matt has been a part of brand R&D, product launches, national trainings for Sazerac as well as their distributors. In addition to cocktail development and public speaking, he has appeared in commercials, interviews, and articles appearing worldwide.
Seminar: Going to the Moon on a Shark: The Do’s and Dont's of Mentorship in the Bar
Tuesday, May 20: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Nathan Reffell
Nathan Reffell
Nathan Reffell is a native of Houston, TX with over 16 years of experience in the hospitality and beverage industry. He has helped in building several award-winning bar programs in the Houston bartending community. He has served on the council of the local United States Bartenders Guild in Houston for 7 years helping to grow and establish several talented bartenders throughout the city. Nathan is also a graduate of the distinguished Beverage Alcohol Resource 5-Day program (2015) Now entering his 7th year as a Regional Brand Ambassador for the Bacardi Portfolio living in Atlanta, GA, Nathan spends his time educating hospitality professionals on spirits and hospitality throughout the country.
Seminar: Navigating Code Switching in Hospitality
Monday, May 19: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Geoffrey Wilson
@rev_robertsinewave
Geoffrey Wilson
@rev_robertsinewave
Mentor and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable hospitality industry, Geoffrey plays a vital role at Turning Tables NOLA, a program focused on equity, education, and career development for Black and Brown hospitality professionals. His work is rooted in a belief that representation, access, and community are essential to the future of the bar world. Whether he’s guiding someone behind the stick or helping them find their voice within the industry, Geoffrey leads with purpose, humility, and heart.
With years of experience at acclaimed bars across the country, Geoffrey brings a thoughtful, grounded approach to his craft—combining technical excellence with cultural awareness and a deep commitment to lifting others up. He’s not one to seek the spotlight, but his impact shines through in the opportunities he helps create and the lives he’s touched along the way.
Seminar: Aperitivo & Amaro: Going to the Moon on a Shark: The Do’s and Don’ts of Mentorship in the Bar
Tuesday, May 20: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Regional Roundtables with Your National Council of Chapters
Nancy Hall
Midwest Regional Representative
Cleveland
Liz Lang
Northeast Regional Representative
Pittsburgh
Chris Mallon
South Regional Representative
Nashville
Trish Renehan Vodrazka
Southwest Regional Representativer
Phoenix
Augustina Elizabeth
West Regional Representative
Seattle
Speaker Submissions Are Now Closed
Thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal to speak at the 2026 Bar Summit! We’ve received an incredible range of ideas and are excited to review all the submissions. Our team is currently evaluating proposals, and selected speakers will be notified starting on January 5, 2026.
If you missed the submission window, don’t worry—you can still get involved! Join us as an attendee – registration is now open.
If you are interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities, please check out the Sponsors tab.
Questions? Please contact Tiffany Soles at tsoles@usbg.org
Call for Speakers
Now Accepting Seminar Ideas
Do you have a seminar, skillset, or story that will spark conversation, inspire your peers, or move the hospitality industry forward? We’re looking for presenters who can bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to the stage.
Topics include (but are not limited to):
- Advanced Bartending & Techniques
- Leadership (General and Chapter Operations)
- Other – (General Professional Development, Health & Wellness, Social Responsibility, etc.)
Share your vision with us—submit your proposal by Friday, October 31, 2025! 👉 Submit a Proposal
SEMINAR CONTENT WILL FOCUS ON THESE THEMES:
USBG Chapter Leadership
These seminars are reserved for USBG Chapter Leaders. Seminars will 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 will include spirit category exploration, cocktails and trends, techniques, methodology, career possibilities, and a conference excursion.
Copyright © 2025 USBG