Jon Halper is the Owner and CEO of Top Ten Liquors, one of the Twin Cities’ fastest-growing independent liquor retailers. Since acquiring the business in 2013, Jon has expanded Top Ten into a leading presence across Minnesota, recognized for its innovative retail approach and commitment to community. In addition to building one of the state’s most successful liquor businesses, Jon has emerged as an industry leader in the THC and cannabis market. He has played a pioneering role in advancing usage, shaping regulatory policy, and fostering collaboration across the country. His work as a network builder and advocate has helped position Minnesota at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. Jon and his wife, Jill, are also deeply committed to philanthropy. They are longtime champions of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) and continue to give back through numerous local charities and community initiatives. With a career spanning law, retail, and entrepreneurship, Jon brings a unique perspective on growth, responsible innovation, and the future of both the liquor and cannabis industries.

Michelle Abdollah is a seasoned retail expert with over 15 years of experience in merchandising and operations. Currently, she serves as Category Manager for Alcoholic Beverages and Private Label Development Manager at Extra Mile convenience stores, overseeing merchandising strategies for wine, beer, and spirits across 1,100+ locations in 11 states. With a proven track record of driving growth and profitability, Michelle has honed her skills through various leadership roles at 7-Eleven and Target. Her expertise has earned her recognition as one of the Top Women In Convenience by Convenience Store News in 2024. Michelle's dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction continues to propel her success in the convenience store channel.

Peter Heimark is President and CEO of Heimark Distributing LLC (HDC.) Heimark Distributing is an Independent Beer and beverage Distributor based in Indio, California servicing communities in eastern Riverside County and Southern San Bernardino County including the Coachella Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, and surrounding communities. Peter is the third generation of Heimark Family Members at the Helm of Heimark Distributing. He began his career with an internship working for Anheuser-Busch in Spain and Denmark. He spent the first twenty-three years of his career with Heimark Distributing’s sister company, Triangle Distributing, based in Santa Fe Springs. Upon conducting a territory swap with Anheuser-Busch in 2020, Peter moved to Heimark Distributing LLC. Peter has served as the Anheuser-Busch Advisory Panel Chairman, the Chairman of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, and has served on the board of the California Family Beer Distributors Association.

Michael Blumfield serves as Region Vice President for Sunset Distributing Company (SDC), a division of Hand Family Companies—one of the largest family-owned beverage distributors in the U.S. With a legacy dating back to 1949, Hand Family Companies now operates across four states, employs over 1,000 people, and distributes more than 50 million cases of beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages annually. With more than 15 years of experience in the beverage industry, Michael has held leadership roles across both supplier and wholesaler organizations, including Heineken USA and Classic Beverage of Southern California. His background in brand strategy, route-to-market development, and organizational development has made him a versatile and trusted leader in the beverage space.

Anthony Trento is a beverage sales leader with extensive experience across beer, kombucha, energy drinks, and emerging alcohol categories. His career includes national and regional leadership roles, most recently serving as Vice President of Sales at JuneShine Brands. Prior to that, he spent a decade at Stone Distributing, rising to Vice President of Sales and leading the Southern California beverage distribution team. Earlier roles at Anheuser-Busch and Monster Energy provided him with foundational  experience in field sales, route management, and retail execution. His background reflects expertise in beverage sales, distribution, team leadership, and brand development.

Elise Horwitz is the Director of Brands and Marketing for Sunset Distribution Co. (SDC), a division of Hand Family Companies—one of the largest family-owned beverage distributors in the U.S. With a legacy dating back to 1949, Hand Family Companies now operates across four states, employs more than 1,000 people, and distributes over 50 million cases of beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages annually. Elise began her career in events and hospitality in roles ranging from Event Planner to General Manager at Corbett's Catering, The Salted Pig, and W. Wolfskill. Her passion for craft beer and cocktails led her to her next journey at the innovative brewery "The Bruery" in Orange County, CA where she planned and coordinated numerous events and festivals. She later joined Stone Brewing and Stone Distributing Company (now Sunset Distributing) in 2016, where she has since built a dynamic career in beverage distribution. She specializes in cultivating strong Supplier relationships, shaping innovative brand strategies, and guiding the successful commercialization of beverages throughout Southern California.