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May 18 - 21, 2025
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SPEAKERS

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ANNOUNCING THE 2026 USBG BAR SUMMIT KEYNOTE

William H. Macy
Keynote Speaker

William H. Macy is an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, an Emmy and SAG Award winning actor, and a writer in theater, film, and television. He starred in the Showtime series Shameless, for which he was nominated twice for a Best Actor Emmy Award and has won twice for the SAG Award. Macy’s film credits include Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Seabiscuit, Pleasantville, Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Jurassic Park III, Fargo, Wild Hogs, and many more. He made his feature directorial debut with Rudderless, the closing film at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Macy can next be seen in the highly anticipated remake of The Running Man, as well as the forthcoming Netflix series Train Dreams, Soul On Fire, and the new Hulu series from Dan Fogelman, The Land. Macy is also a founding member of the Atlantic Theater Company.

When he’s not wow-ing audiences on the big and small screens, Macy can be found in his other job, “Spokesdude” for Woody Creek Distillers. The Colorado-based craft distiller of rye, bourbon, gin, and vodka will also have a presence at Bar Summit as the event’s lead spirits sponsor.

Emcee

Jess Pettitt

@goodenoughnow

Perhaps it’s her Texas roots, but Jess Pettitt, MBA, M.Ed., CSP, believes that to really thrive in this world, you have to ride two horses—one of giving and one of receiving. For Jess, the giving horse is her passion for service, and the receiving horse is the high she rides entertaining audiences.

For almost 10 years, Jess rode one horse by day, serving as an administrator in student affairs for university Diversity and Inclusion programs, and the other by night, performing and hosting three times a week doing stand-up in New York City’s most popular comedy clubs (ask her about George Carlin’s nickname for her or sharing an eggroll birthday cake with Bob Newhart).

Eventually, Jess discovered she could ride both horses at the same time in the same career, and a speaker in the DEI space was born. Now, nearly 20 years and half a million audience members later, Jess gallops from coast to coast delivering her “Good Enough Now” message to anyone willing to take the leap toward creating a much more inclusive (read: much more effective) organization.

Speaker

Dale DeGroff

@kingcocktl

Having enjoyed a storied career as a bartender at The Rainbow Room (NYC), Dale DeGroff is a James Beard Award winning spirits professional, author of Craft of the Cocktail and The Essential Cocktail, founding partner of BAR (Bar Alcohol Resource). Founding president of the Museum of the American Cocktail, winner of multiple awards from organizations such as Tales of the Cocktail, Wine Enthusiast, Nightclub and Bar Magazine, Jula Child Foundation, etc., founding partner of DeGroff Spirits, and a USBG Lifetime Member.

HEAR ALSO FROM THESE SPEAKERS

Diesha Banner


Diesha Banner

Diesha Banner is the owner and Beverage Director of A Glass Above, a premier beverage catering and consulting firm known for immersive cocktail and beverage experiences nationwide. With nearly a decade in the industry, she is a champion for education, collaboration, and elevating minority-owned businesses. Diesha serves as Vice President of the USBG RDU Chapter and is a member of The Veraison Project Events Team. Her work has been featured in Brides & Weddings, Tacari Weddings, and Capitol Romance. She is also a recipient of the “Fuel Your Dreams” Scholarship from Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, and a proud alum of the Inaugural Raise The Bar Mentoring Program, which fosters cross-generational learning and enriches the hospitality community.

Seminar: Beyond the Bar: The Rise of Mobile Bartending and the New Era of Beverage Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, April 28: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, The Broad Hub

Rhonda Cammon

@perfectlycordial


Rhonda Cammon

@perfectlycordial

Rhonda Cammon is the founder of BarseatwithRSC, Co-founder of the first mobile Bar Conference SWIG Culture and Perfectly Cordial. A mobile bar business and multi-award-winning fruit first beverage mixer making inclusive drinking easy with a simple 2 to 1 recipe. Elevating craft beverages with ease. Rhonda used her 25 years of  experience as a registered nurse to pursue a passion for community with a focus on healthy consumption. Perfectly Cordial has been featured in multiple publications, on national television and enjoyed by celebrities like Cardi B, Mickey Guyton, and Brett Eldridge to name a few. Rhonda has worked with a multitude of organizations including Vanderbilt University, H&M, Free People, Wells Fargo, Wine Enthusiast and the James Beard Foundation advocating for women and minorities in food and beverage.

Seminar: Beyond the Bar: The Rise of Mobile Bartending and the New Era of Beverage Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, April 28: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, The Broad Hub

Danny Childs

@slowdrinks


Danny Childs

@slowdrinks

Danny Childs is the author of the James Beard Award-winning book Slow Drinks and founder of the company by the same name. Danny is a trained ethnobotanist whose botanical approach to creating beverages embodies local flavors by utilizing ingredients foraged from the wild, picked from his cocktail garden, and sourced from local farms. Danny teaches others how to create drinks in this manner through his consulting business, educational courses, and with his role in the Slow Food organization.

Seminar: Slow Drinks 101 sponsored by Heaven Hill

Tuesday, April 28: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, The Pavilion Hub

Jesidah Clinton

@codeblu333


Jesideh Clinton

@codeblu333

Jesideh Clinton is the owner of Precious Bartending, LLC. She has been in the private bar industry for 16 years. During this time, she has found and cultivated her passion for cocktail creation and teaching. She loves challenges beyond the bar and takes pride in providing a consumer the best experience possible. Her role in Precious Bartending allowed her to get first-hand experience, not only working behind the bar, but also conducting the staffing of over 500 events. Additionally, she has directed her passion of bar service to teaching bartenders and novices alike how to successfully achieve cocktail creation via Cultivating Cocktails, a craft cocktail creation class held annually.

Seminar: Beyond the Bar: The Rise of Mobile Bartending and the New Era of Beverage Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, April 28: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, The Broad Hub

Raymond Edwards

@rayedwardstoco


Raymond Edwards

@rayedwardstoco

Angostura Global Ambassador Raymond Edwards is one of the Caribbean's most awarded bartenders. Born and raised in Trinidad, Raymond's passion for his home's most famous export brings the culture and spirit of Angostura alive everywhere he goes.

Seminar: Angostura and All Things Bitter

Tuesday, April 28: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, The Pavilion Hub

De'Qustay Johnson

@mobilebaratl


De'Qustay Johnson

@mobilebaratl

After working as a bartender for several years, I realized this was my life’s passion. I started De’QustayJ Cocktails in 2019, focusing on carefully crafted, unique cocktails and mocktails alongside private bartending services. The company has since grown tremendously, expanding to include branding and consulting. In 2022, I rebranded to Mobile Bar ATL, a luxury bartending service.

Seminar: Beyond the Bar: The Rise of Mobile Bartending and the New Era of Beverage Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, April 28: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, The Broad Hub

Ariel Neal


Ariel E. Neal

@leiraknowscocktails

Ariel E. Neal is transforming the cocktail scene with her passion and vision. From her start as a bartender in Chicago to her home in New Orleans, Ariel is a trailblazer committed to uplifting the hospitality industry. As the leader of Turning Tables, she champions mentorship and workforce development. With Janell Richmond, she co-founded Kindred Hospitality Partners to drive sustainable growth. Her inspiring journey as Executive Assistant at Tales of the Cocktail motivates countless others to pursue their dreams.

Seminar: Setting the Course: Boundaries, Balance, and Brilliance in Hospitality Consulting

Tuesday, April 28: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, The Forum

Robin O'Connor

@rko_robinkelleyoconnor


Robin Kelley O’Connor

@rko_robinkelleyoconnor

Robin Kelley O’Connor is an internationally respected wine and spirits educator, sommelier, and hospitality professional with decades of experience working across the global beverage industry. A frequent speaker, judge, and advisor, he collaborates with wine regions, producers, and beverage organizations around the world.

Deeply rooted in the bar community, Robin is a founding owner of Brooklyn’s Brazen Head Bar, now in its 26th year, and has been involved with several influential New York venues including Blind Tiger, Spring Lounge, and The Gate Bar.

Robin holds the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma (DipWSET) and certifications from the Society of Wine Educators, where he previously served as president. He is also  DOCa Rioja  certified educator and co-hosts Kevin Zraly’s Windows on the World Virtual Wine School, helping educate beverage professionals across the industry.

Seminar: New Rioja: Classic Roots & Modern Pour of Spain’s Finest Wine Region sponsored by Rioja Wines

Tuesday, April 28: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM, The Pavilion Hub

Keyatta Mincey Parker

@picturesandcocktails


Keyatta Mincey Parker

@picturesandcocktails

Keyatta Mincey Parker is an award-winning bartender, speaker, and founder of A Sip of Paradise Garden, a community garden and wellness haven for hospitality professionals. Recognized by Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 and Tales of the Cocktail’s Catalyst Award, her work blends luxury, sustainability, and community care—connecting people to the land, to each other, and to themselves one cocktail at a time.

Seminar: Community is the New Currency

Tuesday, April 28: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM, The Forum

Lauren Pellecchia

@elvissips


Lauren Pellechia

@elvissips

Lauren has been in the hospitality industry in Cincinnati, Ohio for well over a decade - and for the last several years has enjoyed the challenge of competition bartending. Cocktails, sustainability within the industry, and all things agave are her passions. When not behind the bar, she loves to travel, cook, read, and spend time with her nieces.

Seminar: The Win Within: Personal Growth Through Competition

Tuesday, April 28: 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM, The Broad Hub 

Liz Pirnat

@lpirnat


Liz Pirnat

@lpirnat

Liz Pirnat is the Head Spirits Educator for Napa Valley Wine Academy. Liz is our resident WSET Spirits expert, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, holding a WSET Level 3 Spirits certification and the prestigious Diploma in Wine & Spirits. Liz is also an Executive Bourbon Steward from the Stave and Thief Society. She currently leads as the head spirits instructor at Napa Valley Wine Academy, teaching WSET Spirits Levels 1, 2 and 3. Liz is also on the National Board of Directors for USBG. And serves on her local Board of Education.

Seminar: General Session: How to Start Advocacy Work in Your Chapter

Tuesday, April 28: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, The Forum

Janell Richmond


Janell Richmond

Janell Richmond is a seasoned entrepreneur, hospitality leader, and licensed insurance professional with over a decade of experience building and scaling people-centered businesses. As the founder of multiple hospitality ventures and a trusted advisor to emerging brands, she blends strategic vision with operational excellence. Today, Janell also helps individuals and families protect their financial futures through smart, accessible insurance solutions—bringing the same care, clarity, and integrity to her clients that have defined her career.

Seminar: Setting the Course: Boundaries, Balance, and Brilliance in Hospitality Consulting

Tuesday, April 28: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, The Forum 

Bo Shuff


Bo Shuff

Shuff joins the USBG after serving close to twenty-five years in campaign and non-profit management. His leadership over the last seven years at DC Vote resulted in an increase in national support for equality for the people of Washington, DC. Shuff served as DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s campaign manager, chief of staff to the Congressional Progressive Caucus Foundation and worked on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities during his non-profit tenure.

"After a decade in the hospitality industry - from dive bars to Disney - I spent 25 years in campaign and organizational management. Now I've brought the two together!"

Seminar: Beyond the Bar: The Rise of Mobile Bartending and the New Era of Beverage Entrepreneurship

Tuesday, April 28: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, The Broad Hub

Bradley Stephens

@bradleystephens.bsky.social


Bradley Stephens

@bradleystephens.bsky.social

Bradley Thomas Stephens is a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, with extensive experience bartending and managing programs around the globe, including in his hometown of Portland, as well as Tokyo, Helsinki, and beyond. He is a former bar owner, and currently serves as the National Vice President of the United States Bartenders Guild and was the National Education Chair from 2021 to 2025. He also has a long history with curating spirits and cocktail educational content for corporate partners. Bradley’s work and contributions have been featured in numerous national publications; and he has been a featured guest on dozens of top industry podcasts.

Seminar: Elixirs or Ales: The Workshop!

Tuesday, April 28: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM, The Broad Hub

Matt Thompson


Matt Thompson

I've spent most of my career helping folks overcome challenges so they can get back to work or fun. (My very first summer job was in the complaint department of a theme park!) Sometimes that work has involved analyzing financial data and customer stories to sort things out (Citigroup, Choice Hotels). Other times, that's meant being the patient technology teacher or friendly face behind the bar (NextStop Theatre, Disney). Extracurricularly, I've been a lifelong performing arts enthusiast, and I come to the USBG after 6 years voice-acting and coaching actors on rapidly evolving technology in Hollywood.

Seminar: Everything You Need to Know to Run a Chapter You Learned Behind the Bar

Tuesday, April 28: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, The Forum

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! 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.

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