Schedule Offers

Kaleigh has 8 years of NIQ experience and considerable background working with clients in multiple categories. She has been involved with the Beverage Alcohol category for the last four years working on Thought Leadership and client specific business questions and projects. Kaleigh brings a unique skillset of analytic capabilities, as well as commercial selling story creation, and has significant background in bringing consumer insights to the forefront in support of sales trends. She has been pivotal in the NIQ strategy and tactics for Beverage Alcohol as the industry changes and develops.

Brian Rosen is globally regarded as a top authority in adult beverage thought leadership. Rosen, known for his expertise in sales and marketing has sold over $1.5B in alcohol over his career.

Named “Ones to Watch” at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Advisory Services. Named Top 100 globally in Leadership in 2019’s Power Rankings of beverage players.

Rosen was CEO of his own $100M -retail liquor enterprise, Sam’s Wines and Spirits of Chicago, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Adult Beverage Advisory Services, lead consultant in Trade Marketing at Anheuser- Busch. Rosen runs his own adult beverage sales firm, BevStrat as well as being general partner in his private equity firm, InvestBev. Rosen has led as CEO and sold two companies to equity firms.

Panel talk on : New Revenue Streams for Pubs and Bars. Panelists are :

1. Mark Guillaudeu, MS : Sommelier at Wrigley Mansion

2. Arthur Hon : Beverage Director at the Modern - Union Square Hospitality Group

3. Morgan Harris : Head Sommelier at Saison Hospitality

4. Justin Moore : Master Sommelier and Wine Director Rose's Restaurant Group

Jon McDaniel is one of the most awarded wine professionals in America - Food + Wine Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year - Wine Enthusiast “40 Under 40 Global Tastemakers” - LuxLife Best Sommelier in America - Riedel Crystal International Sommelier of the Month - Knighted by two historic wine and food organizations in Piemonte and Verona, Italy - Guest speaker and lecturer at wine conferences and events across the globe - Professor of Hospitality and Beverage Management - Beverage Director of the 2010 World Cup - U.S. and Canada chair for the World’s Best Vineyards Awards - Nominated for a Daytime Emmy alongside Chef Wolfgang Puck.

Kimberly Shannon has been in the wine and spirits industry for the last 16 years. She is currently a Corporate Beer, Wine & Liquor Specialist for a large independently owned grocery chain headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa. and spanning 5 states. She holds the WSET level 3 advanced certification, along with the Certified Specialist of Spirits certificate from the Society of Wine Educators. She has also earned the title of Certified Cicerone and numerous other specialty certifications in areas such as Sherry and Agave based spirits. Her role at Giant Eagle includes shelf selection, staff education, and working with distributor partners to create and execute programming across the chain. She truly enjoys her time spent on the sales floor working directly with team members and assisting guests. When not at work, Kimberly enjoys travel, cooking and hosting dinner parties, spending time with her family, and playing golf with her husband of 23 years.

Panel on : New Revenue Streams For Bars

• Julieta Campos, Beverage and Bar Operations Director at The Fifty/50 Group 
• Mike Ryan, Global Beverage Director, Acurio International
• Abraham Vucekovich, Leading Bartender of Chicago
• Mark Braver, Director of Operations, Partner at The Fifty/50 Group
• Sam Garcia, Beverage Manager at Tre Dita at the St. Regis, Chicago

"Exploring Elegance: A Masterclass in Japanese Sake" is an insightful session designed to delve into the refined world of Japanese sake. This masterclass offers participants an in-depth look at the traditional and contemporary methods of sake brewing, exploring its rich history and the subtle complexities that define its flavor profiles. The session will cover various types of sake, discussing the differences in taste, aroma, and pairing potential with food. Attendees will learn about the artistry behind sake production—from the selection of rice and water to the fermentation process—and how these elements influence the final product. This masterclass is an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike to deepen their understanding of sake, enhancing their appreciation for one of Japan's most celebrated beverages.

The masterclass on Beaujolais wines offers an engaging and detailed exploration into one of France's most vibrant and dynamic wine regions. This session is designed for both new enthusiasts and seasoned connoisseurs, aiming to deepen their knowledge of Beaujolais' unique viticultural methods, terroir, and the varietal nuances of its wines, primarily made from the Gamay grape.

The "Masterclass Featuring the 2023 Sommeliers Choice Awards Winners" is a prestigious event designed to showcase the top picks from this year's Sommeliers Choice Awards. This masterclass offers a unique opportunity for wine enthusiasts and industry professionals to taste and learn about the wines that have captured the attention and acclaim of some of the world's leading sommeliers.

During this session, participants will explore a curated selection of wines that have excelled in the competition, understanding what makes them stand out in the eyes of expert judges. The class will delve into various aspects of each wine, including grape varietals, regions, winemaking processes, and the specific attributes that contributed to their high scores and awards.

Callan has 8 years of direct experience in transportation and logistics, specifically with wine wholesalers and distributors around the US. Prior to those 8 years, she worked in sales but had a bird’s eye view into the wine world as US Wine Transport was started and is still lead by her dad. She combines a unique understanding of the urgency of a highly motivated sales force with the operational expertise of US Wine’s team to design solutions that are ideal for independent players in the beverage space. US Wine Transport prides itself on saying “yes” to their customers and meeting their needs as they develop. Callan facilitates this by balancing the interests of all of the parties involved in making an order succeed so that US Wine’s customers can have a seamless experience, no matter where the order comes from, it’s size, or when it is submitted.

He holds the Diploma in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (London). He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters. The Advisory Board’s two dozen members are widely considered the leading experts on whisky in the world. He was awarded the honorific of Maestro Tequilero by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, Vino y Mezcal A.C. in 2023.

Among his recent books is Scotch Whisky: Its History, Production and Appreciation, Additional books on Tequila and Italian Wines are forthcoming. Joe is a columnist for Forbes, where he writes on wines, spirits, and travel. He also is the International Editor of Irish Whiskey magazine.

He has spent more than 20 years judging wines and spirits, lecturing and writing about them, and he looks forward to many more.

Impoters Panel. Panelists are :

1. Rachel Speckan : Portfolio Manager at Maverick Wine Co

2. Daisy Penzo : Founder and CEO Tuscany Wines Import

Winemakers Panel. Panelists are :

1. Susan Danenberger : Winemaker/Owner Danenberger Family Vineyards

2. Caroline Schrader : Winemaker at City Winery Chicago

I’m the Head Distiller and co-owner of Thornton Distilling Company, maker of Dead Drop Spirits. There I lead production and develop the recipes for our whiskies, rums, gin, absinthe and bottled Old Fashioned cocktail. I’m also the President of the Illinois Craft Distillers Association, where I lead the guild’s efforts to advance the interests of small independent distilleries throughout the state.

Panelists are :

1. Ryan Crane : Strategy at Canopy Growth Corporation

2.  Christopher Lackner : Founder and President at Hemp Beverage Alliance

3. Wesley Phillips : Business Development Manager at Glunz Beer