Abraham Vucekovich, the Beverage Director at Meadowlark Hospitality, brings years of experience and is poised to take center stage as a speaker at the USA Trade Tasting in Chicago on May 22-23. With a background that includes working at the renowned Violet Hour, Abraham has become a leading authority in the cocktail industry.

In addition to overseeing the drinks program at The Meadowlark, Vucekovich will assume the role of Beverage Director for the Meadowlark Hospitality group as a whole. He will craft a cocktail menu that leverages Union's whiskey collection and complements its beer program. Furthermore, he will enhance Lardon’s homage to French and Italian cafe culture with aperitivo-style drinks that celebrate the area's unique bitter liqueurs.

Alongside Abraham, the 2024 USA Trade Tasting speaker panel includes some top names in the US beverage industry. Visitors will have an immense advantage as they can interact with Abraham, gaining insights directly from his expertise.

Here are some of the speakers who will be joining us at the 2024 USA Trade Tasting:

Kaleigh Theriault, Director of Thought Leadership at NIQ Beverage Alcohol Vertical

Julieta Campos, Beverage and Bar Operations Director at The Fifty/50 Group, Chicago

Ryan Crane, Strategy at Canopy Growth Corporation

Susan Danenberger, Winemaker/Owner at Danenberger Family Vineyards

Mark Guillaudeu, MS, Sommelier at Wrigley Mansion

Morgan Harris, Head Sommelier at Saison Hospitality

Arthur Hon, Beverage Director at the Modern-Union Square Hospitality Group

David Keck, MS, Master Sommelier and Owner at Stella14 Wines, VT

Ari Klafter, Head Distiller Thornton Distilling Company, and President Illinois Craft Distillers Association

Jon McDaniel, Founder at Second City Soil

Sid Patel, CEO and Founder of Beverage Trade Network

Daisy Penzo, Founder and CEO of Tuscany Wines Import

Wesley Phillips, Business Development Manager at Glunz Beer

Brian Rosen, Chairman of InvestBev

Mike Ryan, Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago

Cassie Sakai, Corporate Director of Beverage Operations - Gibsons Restaurant Group

Caroline Schrader, Winemaker at City Winery Chicago

Kimberly Shannon, Beer, Wine and Liquor Specialist at Giant Eagle, Inc

Rachel Speckan, Portfolio Manager at Maverick Wine Co.

Christopher Bauer, Vice President, National Sales at Wein Bauer

Raj Sabharwal, Founding Partner at Glass Revolution Imports