We are thrilled to announce that Arthur Hon, Beverage Director at The Modern, Union Square Hospitality Group, will be taking a conference session at the USA Trade Tasting 2024 event in Chicago on May 22nd and 23rd. With Arthur's presence, we guarantee that each visitor will have an informative and extraordinary time, thanks to his exceptional knowledge of wine and hospitality.

Arthur began his personal pursuit of wine and work in restaurants while earning his undergraduate degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He went on to become the Beverage Director at the Michelin-starred restaurants Sepia, and Proxi in Chicago for over 10 years, where he oversaw the wine lists and beverage selection at both properties.

While at Sepia and Proxi, Arthur achieved critical acclaim for his work in wine throughout the country. In 2015, he was named Best New Sommelier by Wine and Spirits Magazine. The following year, Arthur received a James Beard Foundation Awards finalist nomination in the Outstanding Wine Program category and was also nominated by Wine Enthusiast for its “Wine Star Award” Sommelier/Wine Director of the year. Most recently, he was recognized by Food & Wine Magazine as a Sommelier of the Year in 2017.

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Arthur moved to New York City in 2017 and initially made his debut with Union Square Hospitality Group as the Assistant Wine Director at Union Square Cafe. He then spent over two years working as the Beverage Manager at Momofuku Ko prior to returning to USHG in 2021 as the Beverage Director at The Modern.

As a trained visual artist and sommelier, Arthur compares his work in the world of wine to a four-dimensional outlet to express his creativity. Through the combination of Arthur’s perceptive comprehension of the subjects of wine education, and his tireless enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge, he cultivates an environment for anyone to learn about wines wherever he goes. Arthur continues to further his own education as an Advanced Sommelier certified by the Court of Master Sommelier and as he works toward the final diploma-level exam. Over the last three years, he has also served as the U.S. ambassador to the wine region of Touraine AOP in France.

Join us in extending a warm welcome to Arthur Hon as he takes the stage at USATT 2024 in Chicago.

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

Abraham Vucekovich, Beverage Director at Meadowlark Hospitality

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

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

Ryan Crane, Strategy at Canopy Growth Corporation

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

Rachel Speckan, Portfolio Manager at Maverick Wine Co

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

Susan Danenberger, Winemaker/Owner at Danenberger Family Vineyards

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

Christopher Bauer, Vice President, National Sales at Wein Bauer

Raj Sabharwal, Founding Partner at Glass Revolution Imports