With the first round of speakers and the conference agenda now announced, IBWSS 2026 is clearly shaping up as one of the most commercially focused gatherings for bulk wine, bulk spirits, and private label professionals in the U.S.

Taking place July 28–29, 2026, in San Francisco, IBWSS is built for people who make real buying and selling decisions — not just talk about trends.

First Round of Confirmed IBWSS 2026 Speakers

The initial speaker lineup brings together decision-makers from distilling, retail buying, private label, hospitality, logistics, and brand strategy — offering perspectives from both the supply and demand sides of the bulk business.

Confirmed speakers include:

- Patrick MacKenzie — Director of International Business Development, Tennessee Distilling Group
- Sarah (Morra) Qualters — Vice President of Marketing, Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services
- Bruce Abbott — President, Liquor Stores USA North Inc.
- Todd Azevedo — Wine & Grape Broker, Partner, Ciatti
- Pete Barger — Co-Founder & CEO, Southern Distilling Company
- Steve Beckner, CSW — Wine & Spirits Buyer, Grocery Outlet
- Megan Brodie — Head of Global Portfolio & Winemaking, Archer Roose Wines
- Rachelle Carandang — Senior Manager, Product Development & Sourcing (Beverages), Sam’s Club
- Jan Kotowski Chang — COO, Archer Roose Wines
- Thomas Gregory — VP & Corporate Director of Food & Beverage, Pacifica Hotels
- Emily Haines — Winemaker, Trinchero Family Estates
- Serena Harkey — General Manager, Cowboys Club
- Caterina Mirabelli — Beverage Director, Back of the House
- Horst Mueller — Global Head of VinLog, Kuehne + Nagel
- Ankita Okate — Chief Growth Officer & Events Head, Beverage Trade Network
- Sid Patel — Founder & CEO, Beverage Trade Network & IBWSS
- Kimberly Shannon — Beer, Wine & Liquor Specialist, Giant Eagle, Inc.
- Adam Spiegel — President & Master Distiller, Corning & Company
- Evan Traub — Director of Accounts, IMI Agency
- Katherine Wojcik — Director of Programs & Partnerships, IHG Hotels & Resorts

More speakers will be added as the program builds.

Key Topics Shaping the IBWSS 2026 Agenda

The IBWSS 2026 agenda is designed around how bulk wine and bulk spirits are actually bought, priced, and scaled today — with sessions focused on practical insight rather than theory.

Core conference topics include:

- Bulk wine trends and sourcing strategies for 2026
- Bulk spirits trends and opportunities in 2026–2027
- Pricing pressure, inventory cycles, and buyer expectations
- Private label wine and spirits programs: what works and what doesn’t
- Barrel inventory, contract distillation, and bulk supply models
- Buyer behavior across bourbon, tequila, agave spirits, rum, whisky, and neutral spirits
- RTDs and upstream bulk sourcing strategies
- Retail, importer, and hospitality sourcing frameworks
- Logistics, compliance, and execution that impact deal success
- Using data and AI tools to identify buyers and accelerate sales

Why Attend IBWSS 2026

IBWSS is not a show built around product launches or brand storytelling. It is designed for decision-makers who want clarity on where the bulk and private-label market is heading — and how to act on it.

Attendees come to:

- Hear directly from buyers and supply-side leaders
- Understand how pricing, demand, and buyer expectations are changing
- Compare notes with peers facing the same challenges
- Meet exhibitors and suppliers in one place
- Turn insight into conversations on the expo floor

A 2-day conference ticket gives full access to:

- All conference sessions
- Meeting rooms and networking areas
- The expo floor and exhibitors

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Why Book Before January 31

January 31 is the Super Early Bird deadline and offers the lowest ticket price available for IBWSS 2026.

Securing tickets before this date allows attendees to:

- Lock in the best price for a 2-day conference pass
- Plan meetings and travel early
- Get full access to all sessions and the expo floor

For anyone involved in bulk wine, bulk spirits, or private label, IBWSS 2026 is a rare opportunity to spend two days focused entirely on the commercial side of the business — with the people who shape it.

Also Read:
Bulk Spirits Trends and Opportunities In 2026
Beyond the Pitch: Evan Traub on Building Beverage Programs Hotels Actually Say Yes To
Emily Haines from Trinchero Family Estates on the Changing Landscape of Bulk Wine Sourcing