A Robust Two-Day Program Curated by Industry Leaders and Designed to Equip, Inspire and Empower the Global Bar & Beverage Community

NEW YORK, NY (April 30, 2025) – Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB Brooklyn), the premier international trade event for the bar and beverage industry, dives deeper into this year’s dynamic education schedule. Returning to Brooklyn’s Industry City on June 10 and 11, this year’s event will feature 14 Main Stage sessions curated by an esteemed education committee, along with immersive discussions across the Park Street University Stage and Liquid Lounge Stages, plus newly introduced VIP+ and exhibitor-only programming. A continuously expanding roster of sessions is available for viewing on the official BCB Brooklyn website here.

The 2025 Main Stage program is curated by BCB Brooklyn’s Head of Education, Lynnette Marrero, in collaboration with this year’s Education Committee. Shaping the Main Stage lineup, the committee features powerhouse names like Derek Brown (Positive Damage, Inc), Kevin Diedrich (Pacific Cocktail Haven/Kona’s), Alba Huerta (Julep Bar), Julie Reiner (Clover Club, Milady’s), Christian Suzuki-Orellana (Bell Tree Hospitality) and Robert Taylor (Honest Bar Co). Together, they’ve crafted a dynamic and diverse two-day program that reflects the energy, expertise and evolution of the beverage world today.

“Our mission for this year’s Main Stage program was to build something deeply relevant to where bartenders and operators are right now—while also sparking big ideas about where the industry can go next,” says Lynnette Marrero. “From addressing real business challenges to exploring cultural identity through cocktails, we’re creating space for conversations that matter.”

Designed to balance practical insight with forward-thinking inspiration, the 2025 Main Stage schedule covers a broad spectrum of topics shaping today’s bar world. Sessions will address mental health in hospitality, from work-life balance to boundary setting, while spirit-focused conversations spotlight trends across categories including gin, Caribbean rum and alpine spirits. Attendees will also explore tools and techniques to refine their businesses and craft, including cocktail costing strategies, fermentation methods and the rise of non-alcoholic offerings. Additional highlights include sessions celebrating the contributions of immigrant bartenders and regional cocktail traditions, as well as timely discussions on how bars can reimagine connection in an increasingly disconnected world.

“There’s an energy and momentum behind this year’s education program that reflects the best parts of our industry,” says Jackie Williams, Event Vice President of BCB Brooklyn. “We are excited to be championing new voices, prioritizing timely issues and pushing the conversation forward—ensuring our attendees walk away with real tools to grow their careers and businesses.”

New this year, BCB Brooklyn introduces two VIP+ sessions—exclusive, intimate conversations designed for deeper engagement with industry leaders. These sessions offer actionable insights on everything from brand-building to navigating growth with purpose. Highlights include “Cocktails, Cameras & Credibility: Taking Your Career Online”

with Jordan Hughes, Luiz Fernandes and Miguel Buencamino, exploring how bartenders can build authentic digital platforms. In “Building a Brand Without Distillery Money (or Experience),” Leo Robitschek, Sharelle Klaus, Monica Berg, Nick Strangeway and Sophie Decobecq lead a candid discussion on launching a brand without traditional backing.

“I always look forward to BCB Brooklyn, but this year feels especially exciting,” says Robitschek, VP of Food & Beverage at Sydell Group and Co-Founder of Second Sip Gin. “It’s not just New York's biggest international trade event. It’s where so many of us come together to connect, share ideas and push the bar world forward. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the 2025 programming, catching up with old friends, making new ones and discovering all the incredible products and innovations coming to market.”

Also new for 2025, BCB Brooklyn introduces several additions aimed at deepening engagement and enhancing the overall experience for both exhibitors and attendees. On Monday, June 9, a series of exhibitor-only sessions will offer tailored guidance on navigating the evolving landscape of no- and low-alcohol offerings, with topics including “Beyond the Buzz: Best Practices for Building a Successful Non-Alcoholic Brand” and “New Category, New Rules: Legal Frameworks for the Future of Non-Alc Spirits.” Debuting in the VIP Lounge, the Crafted Conversations series brings fireside-style chats to the table, offering thoughtful dialogue around wellness, inclusivity and culture in hospitality. Sessions include an introduction to CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness) with practical mental health tools for industry professionals, as well as a conversation with Bravo’s Carl Radke, Co-Founder of Soft Bar—a first-of-its-kind non-alcoholic bar and café in Brooklyn—on elevating zero-proof cocktails and shaping more mindful, inclusive drinking experiences.

The Liquid Lounge Stages offer immersive, spirits-led seminars focused on technique, culture and storytelling. Highlights include sessions on Venezuelan hospitality, Caribbean bitter profiles, menu strategy, bar revival and the global influence of iconic ingredients and regional spirits. This year, the Liquid Lounge Stage will also debut “86 Harassment Presents: Introductory De-escalation Tools for Safer Hospitality Spaces,” a Women of the Vine & Spirits key initiative. Led by Safe Bars, the course equips frontline professionals with practical skills to recognize escalation, diffuse conflict, set boundaries and intervene effectively while maintaining safety. The Park Street University Stage also returns with a sharp focus on strategy for brand builders, entrepreneurs and marketers navigating today’s evolving spirits landscape. Sessions will cover topics such as crafting a resonant brand story, decoding consumer behavior, optimizing go-to-market strategy and finding financial success in a competitive environment. Together, these stages deliver practical tools and creative inspiration across the beverage industry.

As the bar world continues to evolve, BCB Brooklyn remains a home for discovery, innovation and growth. With thousands of industry professionals expected across the two days, the education program is a cornerstone of what makes the event a must-attend for beverage professionals from across the globe.

To register for BCB Brooklyn 2025 and explore the full lineup of sessions and speakers, visit barconventbrooklyn.com and follow along on Instagram at @barconventbrooklyn. Pre-purchased tickets are priced at $95 for one day and $145 for both days until June 3. After June 4, upon availability, tickets will be $125 for one day and $185 for two days. VIP+ tickets are available for $300 and include access to exclusive sessions and premium perks, with limited quantities remaining.

###

About RX RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities and organizations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions and is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools. Learn more at rxglobal.com.

Media Contact

Rachel Harrison

Communications [email protected]