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Conference

Conference Schedule

Meet our 2025 Speakers

AM

09:00 AM 09:05 AM

Oyster Room

Malvika Patel

Editor and VP at Beverage Trade Network

Sid Patel

CEO and Founder at Beverage Trade Network and IBWSS Shows

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Sid Patel and Ankita Okate welcome attendees, set the tone for the event, and share insights on what to expect from this year’s sessions and networking opportunities.

Speakers:

  • Sid Patel
  • Ankita Okate

09:05 AM 09:20 AM

Oyster Room

Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Master of Wine, Professor, Wine Writer & Consultant, President of Wine Market Council

Shaping the Future: Wine Market Council Data Trends

Dr. Liz Thach, MW, presents the latest data and insights on market trends, consumer behavior, and emerging opportunities in the wine and spirits industry.

Speaker:

  • Dr. Liz Thach, MW, Master of Wine, President of Wine Market Council

09:20 AM 09:50 AM

Oyster Room

Emily Haines

Winemaker at Trinchero Family Estates

Todd Ricard

Senior Winemaker at Constellation Brands

Brandy Andes

Senior Winemaker at Constellation Brands

Vasile Nicolau

Senior Winemaker at E. & J. Gallo Winery

What Bulk Wine Buyers Are Looking For: Insights and Strategies

Top winemakers from leading organizations discuss their criteria for selecting bulk wine, trends in purchasing, and tips for suppliers looking to work with them.

Speakers:

  • Emily Haines, Winemaker at Trinchero Family Estates
  • Todd Ricard, Senior Winemaker at Constellation Brands
  • Brandy Andes, Senior Winemaker at Constellation Brands
  • Vasile Nicolau, Senior Winemaker at E. & J. Gallo Winery

09:50 AM 10:20 AM

Oyster Room

Sarah Renteria

Manager at Hillstone Restaurant Group

Cracking the Code: How to Market Private Label Wines to National Retailers

Sarah Renteria shares proven strategies to successfully market and position private label wines to national retailers, including what buyers expect and how to stand out.

Speaker:

  • Sarah Renteria, Manager at Hillstone Restaurant Group

10:20 AM 10:40 AM

Oyster Room

Carly Bateman

Director of Operations at Darden Restaurants

Piero Procida

Director of Food & Beverage at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Pam Schwartz

Chief of Everything at APS Hospitality Group, LLC

Sarah Renteria

Manager at Hillstone Restaurant Group

Mastering Beverage Programs for On-Premise Chains

An expert panel of beverage directors discusses best practices for creating and launching beverage programs tailored to on-premise chains, with insights into trends and challenges.

Speakers:

  • Carly Bateman, Director of Operations, Darden Restaurants
  • Piero Procida, Director of Food & Beverage, Four Seasons
  • Pam Schwartz, Chief of Everything, APS Hospitality Group, LLC
  • Sarah Renteria, Manager, Hillstone Restaurant Group
  • Courtney Bunn (Hamblin), CSW, Director of Operations, Loews Hotels & Co

10:40 AM 11:00 AM

Oyster Room

Horst Mueller

Global Head VinLog at Kuehne + Nagel

Streamlining Shipping and Logistics for Bulk Wine and Spirits

Horst Mueller discusses best practices for managing shipping and logistics for bulk wine and spirits, with a focus on efficiency, compliance, and cost-saving strategies.

Speaker:

  • Horst Mueller, Global Head VinLog, Kuehne + Nagel

11:30 AM 12:30 PM

Oyster Room

Adam LaZarre

Director of Winemaking, Wine Hooligans / BevZero

Christian Deakin

Product Development Manager, Wine Hooligans / BevZero

BevZero: Revolutionizing Low- and No-Alcohol Beverages

Adam LaZarre and Christian Deakin dive into the technical and market aspects of dealcoholized beverages, exploring trends and product development strategies.

Speakers:

  • Adam LaZarre, Director of Winemaking, Wine Hooligans / BevZero
  • Christian Deakin, Product Development Manager, Wine Hooligans / BevZero

PM

01:00 PM 01:40 PM

Oyster Room

Malvika Patel

Editor and VP at Beverage Trade Network

Let's Grow Wine Panel

A global initiative by Beverage Trade Network with some of the leading wine associations heads and wine region advocates around the world on how we can grow wine consumption. The platform will brainstorm ideas that trade can apply in growing the wine category globally.

The points of discussion:

  • Wine and Consumer: How we can we communicate with fresh ideas with the end consumer
  • Wine and Culture: How we can use current culture to grow wine consumption
  • Wine and Trade: How trade can push wine in new way
  • Wine and big companies: How leading companies around the world can help
  • Wine and transparency: How can we story tell the sustainability and transparency
  • Wine and health: What can we do here

01:40 PM 02:10 PM

Oyster Room

Mindful Beverages: Adapting to Consumer Preferences for Health, Sustainability, and Innovation

As consumer preferences evolve, the demand for mindful beverages—including low-ABV, non-alcoholic options, sustainable wines, and functional spirits—is reshaping the global drinks market. Producers, importers, and distributors must adapt to these trends to stay competitive and meet the expectations of health-conscious and sustainability-driven buyers.

This panel at IBWSS (International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show) will bring together industry leaders to discuss how the bulk and private label sectors can align with these consumer shifts. Topics will include sourcing sustainable ingredients, innovative production methods, labeling transparency, and how to effectively market mindful beverages in both on- and off-trade channels.

Attendees will gain insights into how to position their brands for success, create value-driven partnerships, and navigate the challenges of developing and distributing mindful beverage products in an evolving landscape.

02:10 PM 02:40 PM

Oyster Room

Kimberly Shannon

Beer, Wine and Liquor Specialist at Giant Eagle, Inc

Kristen Zuver

Director of Purchasing at Bounty Hunter Wine and Spirits

Bert Svensson

Wine, Beer, Spirits - Liquor Department Manager and and Buyer at AVP, Pavilions Rancho Santa Margarita

Off-Trade Panel: Building Regional and National Placement Programs

Retail specialists discuss strategies for building successful placement programs for bulk and branded products, focusing on collaboration between suppliers and retailers.

Speakers:

  • Kimberly Shannon, Beer, Wine & Liquor Specialist, Giant Eagle, Inc.
  • Kristen Zuver, Director of Purchasing, Bounty Hunter Wine and Spirits
  • Bert Svensson, Wine, Beer, Spirits Manager, AVP, Pavilions Rancho Santa Margarita

02:40 PM 03:00 PM

Oyster Room

Michael Hoefling

Client Advisor at Vinfolio

Sustainability: Adapting to the Changing Consumer, Buyer and Climate

Michael Hoefling discusses the importance of sustainability in the wine and spirits industry and how brands can adapt to evolving consumer preferences and environmental challenges.

Speaker:

  • Michael Hoefling, Client Advisor, Vinfolio

03:00 PM 03:30 PM

Oyster Room

Ian Perez

Brand Execution Manager at MHW

From Concept to Market: Launching Your Alcohol Brand

Ian Perez walks attendees through the process of creating and launching a successful beverage alcohol brand, covering branding, compliance, and market strategies.

Speaker:

  • Ian Perez, Brand Execution Manager, MHW

AM

09:00 AM 09:10 AM

Oyster Room

Malvika Patel

Editor and VP at Beverage Trade Network

Welcome and Opening Remarks

09:10 AM 09:40 AM

Oyster Room

Danielle Christensen

Director of National Accounts at Caymus

Grant Hewitt

Vice President of Beverage at Loews Hotels

David Samuel

Regional Vice President at Hyatt Hotels

Todd Kudrna

Director of Hotels at Proximo Spirits

Navigating Beverage Program RFPs for Hotels

Learn how to navigate the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for hotels, with a focus on aligning with client expectations and creating compelling proposals.

Speakers:

  • David Samuel, Regional Vice President – Hyatt Hotels
  • Grant Hewitt, Vice President of Beverage – Loews Hotels
  • Todd Kudrna, Director of National Accounts, Hotels and Concessions – Proximo
  • Danielle Christensen, Director of National Accounts – Caymus
  • Moderator : Evan Trub, Director of Accounts - IMI

09:40 AM 10:10 AM

Oyster Room

How to Grow Your Brand in a Declining Consumption Market

10:10 AM 10:40 AM

Oyster Room

Mastering Compliance in Global Alcohol Logistics

This session focuses on understanding regulatory requirements for shipping and importing alcohol across international markets.

Speaker:

  • Alison Leavitt, Managing Director, WSSA

PM

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