Brewbound Live 2025 - AGENDA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM	Registration Opens; Breakfast + Networking -- Location: Promenade Ballroom - Lobby Level Breakfast, coffee and beverages are served from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM PT and are included with registration. Registration and badge pick up opens for the day at 7:30 AM PT.
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM	1:1 Meetings -- Location: Outdoor Sinder Lounge - Lobby Level Prior registration is required and meeting times are sent individually. Please check in at the One-to-One Help Desk before to heading to your meeting room. Meetings will be 10 minutes each and the complete schedule is posted at the Help Desk. with Samantha Fletcher, Senior Category Merchant, Adult Beverage, Whole Foods Market; Michelle Abdollah, Category Manager, Alcoholic Beverages, Extra Mile; Michael Blumfield, Region Vice President, Sunset Distributing Company; Peter Heimark, President, Heimark Distributing LLC; Sinead Carey, Director of Beer, Breakthru Beverage; Kevin Day, Director of Trade Development - Beer, Breakthru Beverage; Anthony Trento, Senior Director Sales and Marketing, Sunset Distribution Co.; Elise Horwitz, Director of Brands and Marketing, Sunset Distribution Co.
9:00 AM - 9:05 AM	Welcome Remarks -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
9:05 AM - 9:30 AM	Purpose Under Pressure: Highland's Leah Wong Ashburn on Philanthropy in Hard Times -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level Wong Ashburn will share her story as a second-generation brewery owner, guiding her Asheville, North Carolina-based craft brewery through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and building for the future. with Leah Wong Ashburn, Owner, President & CEO, Highland Brewing Company
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM	Are You Experiential? Making Your Brand Pop IRL -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level Athletic director of marketing Rosalie Kennedy and Boston Experiential Group founder and CEO Sophia D’Angelo will share how their work together has helped the dedicated non-alcoholic beer maker form stronger bonds with its consumers through key activations. with Rosalie Kennedy, Director of Marketing, Athletic Brewing; Sophia D'Angelo, Founder & CEO, Boston Experiential Group
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM	After the Lines: Taproom Strategies for Post-Hype Profitability -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level with Tiago Carneiro, Founder, NOVO Brazil Brewing; Adam Charnack, Co-Founder & CEO, Hi-Wire Brewing; Andrew Burman, Co-Founder and COO, Other Half Brewing Company
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM	Sponsored Workshop: Brewing Up Opportunity: Leveraging Seasonal Events and Technology to Drive Year-Round Revenue -- Location: Promenade - Lobby Level Holidays, sporting events, and local celebrations aren’t just fun for your guests — they’re revenue opportunities for your brewery. In this session, we’ll explore how to plan your marketing, menu, and operations around seasonal moments to keep your events calendar full all year long. Plus, see how technology platforms like Tripleseat can streamline your event management — from capturing leads to managing contracts and executing flawless experiences. with Margaret Kelly, Account Executive-Inside Sales, Tripleseat Software
10:30 AM - 10:55 AM	Networking Break --
10:55 AM - 11:20 AM	Greetings From Minnesota: Insights From Intoxicating Hemp's Biggest Market -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level Minnesota ranks first in sales of intoxicating hemp beverages. Top Ten Liquors owner and CEO Jon Halper has witnessed consumers’ desire for these products in his 15 stores, sharing sales trends on LinkedIn. At Brewbound Live, Halper will discuss his firsthand experiences selling the product and tips for suppliers looking to enter the space. with Jon Halper, Owner & CEO, Top Ten Liquors
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM	From Value to Vibe: Balancing What’s Brewing Across Price, Preference & Purpose -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level with Kaleigh Theriault, Director Bev-Alc Thought Leadership, NIQ; Andrew Hummel, Director Bev-Alc Vertical, CGA
12:00 PM - 12:05 PM	Awards & Rising Stars Video Announcement -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level
12:05 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch Powered by Rationale, Sampling & Livestream -- Location: Bayview Ballroom - Rooftop
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM	Breakthrough Marketing: Taking Drinker Engagement to New Heights -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level Relevance with drinkers is tougher than ever in the fragmented bev-alc industry. However, several brands are breaking through with consumers in 2025 through clever marketing, celebrity partnerships and differentiated products. with Whitney Stevenson, President and Chief Commercial Officer, JuneShine Brands; Van Sharma, Co-Founder, Rupee Beer; Kevin George, CMO, Garage Beer
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM	Craft M&A Trends: Cashless Deals, Building Platforms -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level The multi-brand business model has grown in popularity for years, but in 2025, craft brewers’ “safety in numbers” mindset has come into its own. Hendler Family Brewing Company and Wilding Brands have been at the forefront of these regional partnership strategies. At Brewbound Live, they will share their strategies, the advantages and pitfalls of these transactions and how they’re approaching future deals. with Sam Hendler, Co-Founder & CEO, Hendler Family Brewing Company; Charlie Berger, Chief Development Officer, Wilding Brands
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM	The View from California: Firestone Walker's Nick Firestone -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level with Nick Firestone, CEO, Firestone Walker
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM	Pitch Slam Finals -- Location: California Ballroom - Lobby Level Watch the finalists pitch live on stage! Hear their business strategies and gain insights from the expert feedback. with Samantha Fletcher, Senior Category Merchant, Adult Beverage, Whole Foods Market; Ryan Lake, Managing Director Beverage Investment Banking , J.P. Morgan; Donn Bichsel, Founder, 3 Tier Beverages; Ray Biebuyck, Founder, Hurray's Girl Beer
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM	Official Party, Presented by Firestone Walker -- Head over to Firestone Walker - The Propagator (3205 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292) for additional networking. Enjoy beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and light appetizers. All registered attendees of Brewbound Live 2025 are invited to attend. An event badge and valid ID is required for admittance.

Please note that event agendas are subject to change.