Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Tales of the Cocktail Announces 2024 Conference Agenda 

This July, Tales of the Cocktail returns to Ritz-Carlton New Orleans with its inspiring 2024 conference agenda. To celebrate World Cocktail Day, a variety of ticket options are now available for purchase, including daily and weekly passes, discounted bartender passes, individual event tickets and the brand new $10 Wellness Week Pass. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis at the foundation’s website

“It’s an honor to unveil the 2024 Tales of the Cocktail agenda, and with it, invite the cocktail community to join us in New Orleans for the 22nd annual conference,” said TOTCF CEO Eileen Wayner. “Our dedicated team, along with the invaluable TOTCF Committees, Board of Directors, and partners have meticulously cultivated a conference agenda that’s brimming with educational programming, wellness and networking opportunities, tastings, awards celebrations, brand showcases, and more. The 2024 agenda guarantees an unparalleled week of discovery, connection, and above all, Inspiration, as we explore this year’s annual theme.”

Tales of the Cocktail Announces 2024 Conference Agenda 
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Educational Seminars, Panels, Q&As and More:

65+ educational sessions will be available at Tales of the Cocktail in the Business, Culture and Beyond the Bar educational streams. The 2024 seminar lineup was hand-selected from 380+ proposals by the Tales of the Cocktail Education Advisory Committee. Highlights include: 

  • Contemporary Employee Relations: Centering Dignity by Laura Louise Green with John B. Reyna, Andi Ryan, and Irene Shiang Li
  • More of the Same: Expanding Your Bar Concept by Meaghan Dorman with Indra Kantono, Gates Otsuji, and Laura Torres 
  • Pouring Foundations: Financial Planning for Bar Upgrades and New Constructions by Matt Edgar with Hannah Cash and Johann Moonesinghe
  • Up Your Probability of Profit: Consumer Insights to Operate Smarter not Harder by Adrian Biggs with Rodrigo Leme, Nikki Hueckel, Andrew Hummel, and Simone Ventura
  • Akvavit 101 by Bex Almqvist
  • H2Know: Water in Cocktails 101 by Kate Gerwin and Martin Riese
  • Harmonies in Mixology: Exploring the Relationship between Music and Cocktails by Xavier Herit with Michael Aredes
  • In the Weeds: Wild Flavors Behind the Bar by Olivia Cerio with Danny Childs, Ektoras Binikos, and Tama Matsuoka Wong
  • What’s Cooler than Cool? Cocktails and Temperature by Jessamine McLellan with Dave Arnold, and Michael Capoferri 
  • Branding Up for Yourself: Strengthening Community and Equity in Brand Relations by Michael Holiday with Sullivan Doh, Phëlix Étienne, and Kapri Robinson
  • Flavors of Immigration by Alan Ruesga-Pelayo, Julio Cabrera, Faye Chen, Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez, Roberto Núñez Moreno, and Eric Vanbeek
  • I’ll Have What She’s Having: The Five Cocktails Defined by Women’s Right to Booze by Nicola Nice and Greg Benson
  • Mixing Motherhood: Navigating the Cocktail of Challenges in the Drinks Industry by Vivian Pei with Paula García, Carina Soto Velasquez, and Tess Posthumus
Tales of the Cocktail Announces 2024 Conference Agenda 
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Inaugural “Futures Lab” and Networking Events:

In 2024, TOTC is presenting the inaugural “Futures Lab” series on Tuesday, July 23rd. Futures Lab immerses participants in short-format discussions on the future of the beverage industry. The following topics will be discussed:

  • The Future of A.I. and Hospitality – Gary Gruver, Director of Global Beverage Operations, Marriott International
  • The Future of Drinking the Planet Better – Stephanie Jordan, Avallen Spirits & Drinking Out Loud, Founder
  • The Future of Food & Beverage – Kat Kinsman, Food and Wine, Executive Features Editor and Host of Tinfoil Swans Podcast
  • The Future of the Industry – Matt Molino, Chief Strategy Officer Partner, NVE Experience Agency 
  • The Future of Ingredients – Monica Berg, Tayer + Elementary, Muyu Liqueurs, Director, Owner 
  • The Future of THC Beverages – Rachel Burkons, Smoke Sip Savor, Feast & Flower, Founder 

Additionally, curated networking events will take place throughout the week. The topics include:

  • First-time Tales Attendees
  • Journalists and Bartenders, Presented by Stray Dog Wild Gin
  • Meet in the Middle – Lessons in Distribution for Producers and Buyers, Presented by Independent Distributor Network
  • Parenting in the Industry
Tales of the Cocktail Announces 2024 Conference Agenda 
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Beyond the Bar Expansion:

Beyond the Bar® (BTB) is Tales of the Cocktail’s health and wellness sector. It was created to provide a platform for industry professionals that addresses mental and physical health, intersectionality, substance use, sexual harassment, diversity, equity and sustainability. Beginning this year, the foundation is including select BTB programming in the $10 Wellness Week Pass. With this pass, guests can access 20 on-site workshops, networking sessions, fitness classes and the Beyond the Bar® Lounge presented by Lyre’s. Proceeds from the Wellness Week Pass will be used to fund year-round Beyond the Bar® educational programming, as well as grants, scholarships and policy initiatives. The Wellness Week Pass is included in all ticket types or available for individual purchase. Highlights of BTB include:

  • Beyond the Bar® Wellness Workshops
  • Career Readiness Workshop by Alex Jump
  • Promoting Wellness in the Workplace: Addressing Addiction and Supporting Employee Success Workshop by Mickey Bakst
  • Road to 2030 Sustainable Bar Workshop by Sean Finter and Ali Fitzpatrick
  • Beyond the Bar® Fitness Activations 
  • Bartender Bodyshop with The Healthtender by Amie Ward
  • Longevity Behind the Stick: Breath and Mobility Workshop by Allie Phifer and Hai Nguyen
Tales of the Cocktail Announces 2024 Conference Agenda 
Photo Credit: Amy Harris/The Travel Addict

Attendees will also be able to attend additional programming from Beyond the Bar, including access to the Beyond the Bar Lounge where non-alcoholic beverages can be sampled as guests rest, charge up their phones and relax between sessions. Beyond the Bar also hosts Ben’s Friends, a community of industry professionals who have found or are seeking sobriety. They meet in the Beyond the Bar Space on Monday and Tuesday from 4:30-6:00PM. 

As usual, brand-hosted events, Meet the Distillers, New Orleans Cocktail Tours, New Orleans Spirits Competition, Pig & Punch, Speed Rack Championship, Spirited Awards®, Tales Catalyst, Toast to Tales, and TOTCF Day of Service will return. For the complete 2024 conference agenda, visit https://talesofthecocktail.org.

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