From Berlin, Brooklyn, London, and São Paulo, these four industry hot spots are raising the bar and bringing together the global bar and beverage community from October 12-18 2020. As part of the all-digital Global Bar Week, the international trade fairs Bar Convent Berlin, BCB Brooklyn, BCB São Paulo, and Imbibe Live are joining forces for the first time and offering a joint online platform for this free industry event. Experts from all over the world can network with each other 24/7 and can expect virtual product presentations from around 180 selected global drinks brands, as well as plenty of high-quality content, including seminars, tastings, and masterclasses featuring some of the most influential names in hospitality.
All the elements that you loved and enjoyed at the physical events will be available via the Global Bar Week platform. Attendees will experience top-class education and professional tastings, networking opportunities, as well as exhibitor presentations.
The 180-strong line-up of brands for Global Bar Week includes numerous highlights
such as Amázzoni Gin, Angostura, Bacardi, Botany, Branca USA, Bruni Erben, Comte De
Grasse, Champagne Bureau, Double Dutch, Mason’s Gin, Storywood Tequila, Proof Drinks, Pedrino Spritz, The Lakes Distillery, Woodlab and William Grant with Monkey Shoulder,
Hendrick’s Gin, Hudson Whiskey, and Milagro. These global exhibiting brands come from the USA, Europe, Asia, and Latin America as well as many more nations represented.
The education program, carefully curated by the four trade show organizers and
an education committee, has a diverse 90+ session schedule. Between October 12 and 18, all lectures can be accessed online via livestream and video recordings. In addition to topics covering how to maintain a business during a pandemic and rebuilding in a
post-COVID-19 world, the schedule will feature sustainability, diversity and inclusion, wellness, financial planning, and advocacy, as well as master classes and deep dives into current and future industry trends.
Educational Highlights
BCB Berlin, which is sponsored by Brown-Forman Deutschland and Diageo for its
digital edition BCB Pouring Digital, will stream sessions such as Sean Finter’s presentation on mental health and how a healthy team leads to success, conscious drinking with adaptogens presented by Juliana Arango, and a look behind the scenes of Cocktail
Kingdom with Greg Boehm and Joann Spiegel. For an understanding and introspection of the modern African bar scene, be sure to watch the panel led by Jody Francis, Dee Abudu, Michael Stephenson, Peter Lebese, Sabrina Traubner, and Terry Sowah.
BCB Brooklyn is bringing a session with Jackie Summers to Global Bar Week entitled
“Build Your Own Table,” which tackles unequal opportunities for advancement and taking the initiative to create change when no one is pulling a seat out for you at the tables of power. Chris Cabrera’s seminar brings together voices from around the world to
discuss LGBTQ+ and POC issues in the bar industry. Another highlight from Brooklyn is Paul Clarke, Chris Elford, and Shannon Mustipher’s Evolution of the Exotic, which delves into the ways 21st-century bars provide mystical escapes while balancing respect
for cultural history and traditions.
Imbibe Live will be delivering top talks from the UK on how to become a pioneer
in the hospitality industry in terms of sustainability, as well as lessons learned from the reopening of the hospitality industry post-lockdown and preparing for the future. Imbibe Live will be joined by the founders of Speed Rack and powerhouse pair, Lynette
Marrero and Ivy Mix, as they showcase their new initiatives to celebrate and support women in bartending. Megs Miller, Global Drinks & Bar Consultant, will be sharing her passion for Agave Martini, and answering the question: could it possibly be the next
Modern Classic Cocktail?
The BCB São Paulo’s programming will give visitors an insight into the world of Brazilian spirits, dealing with business crises, and address current gender issues with the lecture “How Many Women Does Your Drink Have?” Additional content will explore the creative processes behind cocktail designs.
From Jigger & Pony to Above Board
Another highlight of the Global Bar Week’s not-to-miss is the “7 Bars in 7 Days.”
In this concept, visitors get a look behind the scenes of some of the top bars from all over the world. Among them are Kwant from London, Katana Kitten from New York City, El Copitas from St. Petersburg, Jigger and Pony from Singapore, Above Board from Melbourne, Velvet Bar from Berlin and Floreria Atlantico from Buenos Aires. The bars invite you to take a virtual tour, provide insights into their concepts and signature serves, and talk about how they’ve dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the title “Spotlight on Asia Bars”, Bar Convent Berlin will also present bars from Asia in more detail, including venues from India, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Even more global, even more efficient: The BCB matchmaking Whether it’s via BCB Berlin, BCB Brooklyn, BCB São Paolo, or Imbibe Live – when it comes to networking, it doesn’t matter which event attendees sign up for Global Bar Week, they will still be able to connect with all exhibiting brands. The profiles of the participants will be precisely matched thanks to industry-specific and interest-based filter options. Virtual meetings at Global Bar Week will feel just like a face-to-face meeting at a physical event, with video functionality and the exchange of contact details will be even more efficient than the swapping of business cards.
Global Bar Week: Free of charge and for trade professionals and media only
Participation in the world’s most relevant digital event in the bar and beverage industry, which celebrates its online premiere from October 12 to 18, 2020, is free this year. Simply register as at barconventbroklyn.com.
