US Bartenders' Guild, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Announce New Partnership

Mission-aligned initiatives include National Finals of the United States Cocktail Championship

HENDERSON, NV - Today, the United States Bartenders’ Guild, the national, member-led not-for-profit association of bartenders and other hospitality professionals, and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation jointly announce a new partnership. The two leading bar and cocktail community organizations will work together on a variety of mission-aligned initiatives with the goal of uniting and elevating the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy.

The initial collaboration will happen in parallel with Tales of the Cocktail 2026 in New Orleans, July 19-24. There, a champion will be crowned in the inaugural United States Cocktail Championship (USCC) National Final.

Launched in 2026, the USCC is a nationwide competition designed to identify, elevate, and celebrate American bartending talent—from local communities to the global stage. Through this program, USBG selects Team USBG, the bartenders who will represent the United States in competition against the top bartenders from more than 70 countries on the global stage at the IBA (International Bartender Association) World Cocktail Competition (WCC) in Macau, China, and IBA Invitational competitions throughout the year across the continents.

Said USBG Executive Director Bo Shuff, “Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, through their events, education, and awards, serves a vital role in building the beverage and hospitality community worldwide. Our work at the US Bartenders’ Guild dovetails with those efforts by strengthening communities city by city, region by region. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Tales on expanding the stories we collectively share about the people who make our community what it is.”

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Executive Director Charlotte Voisey commented, “We are pleased to be collaborating with the USBG in ways that ultimately provide greater access for more bartenders to the educational experiences that can further their professional development.”

Tickets for Tales of the Cocktail 2026 go on sale May 13.

About the United States Bartenders’ Guild

Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders' Guild® is the national, member-led not-for-profit association of bartenders and other hospitality professionals that unites and elevates the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy. Through its network, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, service projects, and skills-based competition, all while fostering a fun and healthy environment and reinforcing the importance of the ‘third place’ in neighborhoods across the country.

About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. As the world’s leading spirits education platform, the Foundation provides year-round programs and initiatives that foster professional growth and drive meaningful change. Each July, the industry gathers in New Orleans, the beating heart of cocktail culture and hospitality, for a one-of-a-kind conference that blends education, networking, and celebration like no other. Guided by its core pillars—Educate, Advance, and Support—the Foundation’s impact extends far beyond the U.S., reaching professionals and communities around the world. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026

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