Brewbound Live 2025 is your opportunity to hear insights from and interact with two of the largest beer and beverage distributors in the U.S.
Hand Family Companies president and CEO JR Hand and Columbia Distributing chief strategy officer Jesse Ferber will share the bev-alc trendlines they’re watching, as well as how they’re approaching their respective portfolios.
Hand shocked the industry this year with the multistate distributor’s entry into Southern California with the acquisitions of Stone Distributing, Classic Beverage and Scout Distribution, forming Sunset Distributing – the largest craft distributor in Southern California.
Columbia Distributing is one of the largest total beverage distributors in the nation.
Hand and Ferber will be joined by Bump WIlliams Consulting president Dave Williams, who will offer insights into how retailers are approaching their shelf sets and display space going into 2026, where beer falls on the priority list and how small brands can keep up with the big guys.
The trio will speak at Brewbound Live 2025 (December 10-11) at the Marina del Rey Marriott.
Tickets are available now for the gathering of founders, entrepreneurs, sales leaders, marketers, c-suite executives, retailers, distributors and suppliers from across the industry.
The 2025 speaker roster includes:
- Rebecca Dye Yonushonis, CMO, New Belgium Brewing;
- Leah Wong Ashburn, owner and CEO, Highland Brewing;
- Kaleigh Theriault, director of bev-alc thought leadership, NIQ;
- Andrew Hummel, director bev-alc vertical, CGA;
- Bourcard Nesin, analyst – beverages, Rabobank;
- Rudy Kellner, co-founder and CEO, pFriem Family Brewers;
- Nick Firestone, CEO, Firestone Walker;
- Mike LaRosa, owner and brewer, New Trail Brewing;
- Rosalie Kennedy, director of marketing, Athletic Brewing;
- Sophia D’Angelo, founder and CEO, Boston Experiential Group;
- Jon Halper, owner and founder, Top Ten Liquors;
- Adam Charnack, co-founder, Hi-Wire Brewing;
- Tiago Carneiro, founder, Novo Brazil;
- Whitney Stevenson, president, JuneShine Brands;
- Kevin George, CMO, Garage Beer;
- Van Sharma, co-founder, Rupee Beer;
- Sam Hendler, co-founder, Hendler Family Brewing Company;
- Charlie Berger, chief development officer, Wilding Brands;
- Andrew Burman, co-founder, Other Half Brewing.
Conversations will cover the state of the bev-alc market, creating experiences and consumer connections across generations, the growth of the intoxicating hemp beverage market, strategies for platform building and much more.
Bev-alc companies will have the opportunity to book 1:1 conversations with Whole Foods Market, Top Ten Liquors, Breakthru Beverage California and Heimark Distributing.
Register for Brewbound Live 2025 >>
Brewbound Live is presented by Powered by Sorse, Firestone Walker, Vulcan Packaging, Fast Track Packaging, Strike Visuals, John I. Haas, Can-One, Twenty20 Systems, Abstrax Tech, Vita-Pakt, Deluxe, LUMI, BevGenie, and Tripleseat Software LLC. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those seeking to elevate their presence beyond participation.
About Brewbound
Published by BevNET.com Inc., Brewbound is a leading multi-media industry trade publication providing comprehensive information about the beer category, analysis of industry trends and in-depth interviews with industry leaders. In addition to providing daily news coverage, Brewbound also gathers entrepreneurs and executives to exchange ideas, discuss the state of the industry and hear strategies for succeeding in the alcohol beverage industry via a series of nationwide meetups, multi-day business conferences, live-streamed shows and podcasts.
About Brewbound Live
Brewbound Live is a strategic two-day business conference for the beer and beyond industry. Brewbound Live 2025 takes place on December 10 + 11 in Marina del Rey, California. Join founders, top-level executives, investors, and experts for networking opportunities, an all-star speaker lineup, and impactful industry insights.