Agenda Now Available for SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo, October 5-7
San Diego, CA (June 25, 2024) SommCon has assembled a community of pioneering beverage professionals, providing on- and off-premise buyers, wholesalers, importers, distributors, sommeliers, beverage directors, educators, and media with an unparalleled opportunity for wine and spirits education, professional growth and community building. SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo, taking place October 5-7 at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, California, features more than 30 workshops and master classes across six tracks: Advanced Tasting Techniques, Regional Explorations, Trends & Insights, Beer, Spirits, and Personal & Professional Development.SommCon’s education is powered by some of the greatest thought leaders in wine, beer, and spirits, including:
- Dr. Monique Bell, WSET II, Fresno State
- Paul Carayas, CS, Chez TJ
- Will Costello, MS, Preferabli
- David Glancy, MS, CWE, CSS, San Francisco Wine School
- Aaron Gore, WSET II S, AC, CP, Arryved
- Chuck Nix, CSW, Bearded Wineaux/Eudora’s MS Brasserie
- Cristie Norman, CS, WSET III, Wynn Las Vegas
- Jordi Paronella, José Andrés Group
- Shilah Salmon, Jackson Family Wines
- John Szabo, MS, Wine Align
- Erik Segelbaum, AS, CSW, SOMLYAY
- Jeremy Shanker, MS, Mina Group
- Jackie Summers, JackfromBrooklyn/Sorel Liquor
- Alan Tardi, CSW, WSET III,
- Toshio Ueno, DipWSET, MSS, Mutual Trading Co., Inc.
- Dr. Hoby Wedler, Wedland Group
Additional speakers are being added regularly. Click here to view the complete list.
SommCon kicks off on Saturday, October 5, with Women in Craft Forum, a single day symposium dedicated to conversations about the challenges and nuances of being a woman in the beverage industry, judging for SommCon’s annual wine and spirits competitions, Concours d’Spirits and Concours d’Vin presented by The SOMM Journal, certification courses, and welcome reception for SommCon attendees and participating brands.
The program continues Sunday, October 6, and Monday, October 7, with two full days packed with education and tastings, as well as professional and business development opportunities. Attendees will:
- Participate in advanced tastings and discussions on critical topics such as career development, sales, leadership, sustainability, corporate responsibility, DE&I, and regulatory issues.
- Delve into wine growing regions from around the globe, including Paso Robles, Loire Valley, Bourgogne, Beaujolais, Rioja, Lake County, Veneto, Washington, Madeira, Jerez de la Frontera, and Australia
- Build lasting connections with peers and industry leaders through networking, parties, and enrichment opportunities.
- Discover new producers at the SommCon Beverage Expo, the only beverage trade show on the West Coast bringing together the entire adult beverage market, connecting on- and off-premise buyers, importers, and distributors with domestic and international beverage brands in wine, beer, spirits and the emerging low and no alcohol category.
- Sample unique spirits, engage in side-by-side liquor comparisons, and gain insight into the processes behind their creation.
- Explore the art of of crafting classic cocktails and the innovative use of wines in mixology, particularly how to create balance and depth in your cocktail program.
Registration for SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo is open and the agenda is now available online.
Brands interested in sponsorship or exhibit opportunities should contact partner@sommconusa.com.
ABOUT SOMMCON:
SommCon® is the premier gathering for professionals in the wine, beer, and spirits industry, offering unparalleled opportunities for education, networking, and career development. SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo offers a comprehensive program of wine and spirits education, professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing domestic and international producers of wine, beer, spirits, and brands in the low and no alcohol category. SommCon produces Concours d’Spirits and Concours d’Vin, impartial competitions of domestic and international wines and spirits, in partnership with The SOMM Journal, and SommGo, an on-demand streaming service featuring educational content for the global wine, beer, and spirits industry. SommCon is produced by Fast Forward, an event production house that specializes in consumer and business events in wine, beer, spirits, culinary, and hospitality.
