March 14, 2025 (San Diego, CA) — SommCon, the premier conference and exposition for wine and beverage professionals, is excited to announce “Women in Craft Forum Virtual Summit,” in celebration of Women’s History Month this month. This online summit offers beverage professionals and enthusiasts the opportunity to access industry-leading education and to get inspired by female founders, trailblazers, and disruptors having conversations around the challenges and nuances of being a woman in the beverage industry.
The virtual summit features eights seminars from the Women in Craft Forum, held during SommCon San Diego 2024 conference, including:
Yes You Can: The Journey of Archer Roose Wines
Marian Leitner-Waldman tells the story of Archer Roose Wines, from inception to big brand partnerships and ultimately beating the odds in a category in decline.
Founder Spotlight: McBride Sisters Wine Company
An inspiring conversation between two female founders, Robin McBride (McBride Sisters Wine Company) and Michelle Metter (SommCon).
Founders & Disruptors: Transforming Ideas Into Action
A panel of leaders in the beverage industry share how they disrupted the norm to achieve their dreams including Rebecca Hopkins (A Balanced Glass), Michelle Martain (La Mision Associates), Joy Merrilees (Shannon Family of Wines), Neeta Mittal (LXV Wine) Gigi Schroeder (Seiers Scandinavian Bitters), and Dayna Turcotte (Laurel Canyon Spirits).
Thriving in Intersectionality: Belonging, Growth and Leadership
Lola Adeyemo (EQImindset LLC) takes you on a journey to belonging through her stories and experiences as an immigrant in corporate America.
Women of the Vine & Spirits presents: The Power of Intersectionality in the Workplace
In this chat, Rawnica Dillingham (New Riff Distilling), Melanie Shelby (Enelalma Tequila), Mai Vu (Mai Vino), teach you how to intentionally curate an environment that allows your team to show up in the most whole version of themselves so they can thrive, and ultimately contribute to your company’s success.
Knowledge In Practice: Finding Your Voice, Sharing Your Message, And Becoming A Better Presenter
Trade professionals share how they use skills derived from life experience and personal passions to amplify their chosen messages including Dana Beninati (Dine with Dana), Noël Burgess (Noël Burgess Creative), Teresa Cesario (PRUSA), and Elise Cordell (Pernod-Ricard USA).
Making Magic: Lessons in Hospitality from the Castle to the Dining Room and Beyond
In this Ted style talk, Molly Brooks shares how her career in wine and service laid the foundation for her role at Club 33 & 21 Royal, Disney and how you can apply it to your career.
Exploring Innovation: A Look into New Ideas in the Beverage Industry
A panel of industry leaders dive into a discussion on innovation in the beverage industry, from new packaging advancements to cutting-edge selling tools. Educators include Katerina Axelsson (Tastry AI), Meg Carrington-Griffin Simons (The Veraison Project), Rachel Martin (Oceano Wines), Regina Sanz (Joseph Phelps), and Lew Shomer (Shomex Productions).
The virtual summit is open to all beverage professionals and enthusiasts eager to deepen their knowledge, stay ahead of industry trends, and expand their professional skillset.
Registration for Women in Craft Forum Virtual Summit is now open.
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.
