We are happy to announce that on July 23–24, 2024, in San Francisco, at the International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show (IBWSS), Rachel Lowe, Director of Beverage Operations at Levy Restaurants, will take the stage as a speaker. Numerous honors and achievements over her extraordinary career in the wine industry have made Rachel a true star.

Rachael passed the advanced sommelier degree from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2009 with a top score that earned her a Rudd Scholarship. She was the 2010 Jean Banchet Top Sommelier, 2011 Star Chef Rising Star Sommelier, and 2016 Food & Wine Sommelier of the Year. In addition to such merit, she won the top prize at the Ruinart Chardonnay competition hosted by Ruinart and the Guild of Sommeliers in 2010

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Lowe served as Sommelier at the Michelin-rated Bouchon, a French bistro in Yountville, CA, under the direction of The Thomas Keller Restaurant Group. Prior to her time there, she spent more than four years as a Sommelier for several fine-dining venues throughout New York City, including Café Gray, the Mandarin Oriental, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay inside The London NYC hotel. Upon moving to Chicago Lowe served as Director of Wine and Spirits at the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, where she oversaw all wine and beverage management, which included Sixteen, the hotel’s signature fine-dining restaurant, Rebar, the Terrace at Trump, and all catering and in-room dining. She then took over as Wine Director at both Naha, a Michelin-starred Mediterranean restaurant, as well as the company's French-based sister restaurant, Brindille. Six years ago Lowe took the position of Director of Beverage for Spiaggia, where she oversees the restaurant, Café, and private dining events.

In 2018 she was promoted to Director of Beverage for Levy Restaurants where she oversees the group’s portfolio of 13 different restaurant locations nationally.

The journey she has taken in the beverage sector is proof of her passion. Come learn from Rachel as she offers priceless perspectives on managing the ever-changing beverage market by sharing her experiences, insights, and knowledge with us at International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show in San Francisco.

Here is the list of conference speakers at the 2024 International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show

Aaron Bergh, President & Master Distiller at Calwise Spirits Co and President at Paso Robles Distillery Trail

Teresa Casey, Executive Director, New York State Distillers Guild  

Chad Clark, Director of North Coast Operations at Allied Grape Growers  

David Cohen, President of the Florida Craft Spirits Association and President and Head Distiller at Manifest Distilling  

Maurice DiMarino, Wine and Beverage Manager at Cohn Restaurant Group  

Cathy Ference, Sr. Manager, Bulk Wine Supply at Constellation Brands  

Bergaglio Francesco, President & CEO of Enartis  

Tracy Genesen, General Counsel at Wine Institute  

Dave Gerardu, Director of Wine at 50 Eggs Hospitality Group  

Carmen Gonzalez Alfaro, Master Distiller & New Product Development in Casa del Sol Spirits  

John Granata, Master Distiller, President at Jersey Spirits Distilling Co. President at New Jersey Craft Distillers Guild  

Peter J. Jones, Head of Wine & Spirits at Shopify  

Brian Lebredo, Director of Beverage at Texas Roadhouse  

Cami Lehmann, Director of Marketing, Maggiano’s Little Italy at Brinker International  

Tony Leonardini, Director of Import Bulk Purchasing, Delicato Family Wines  

Geoff Longenecker, Founder, Distiller Seven Caves Spirits and President at San Diego Distillers Guild  

Marliese Martin, Chief Operating Officer, Hillebrand Gori USA  

Justin Noland, Senior Director, DTC Marketing & Ecommerce at Treasury Wine Estates  

Ankita Okate, Chief Growth Officer and Events Head at Beverage Trade Network  

Manveer Sandhu, Director of Winemaking, Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services  

Noël Schaff, B2B Sales Manager at O'Neill Vintners and Distillers  

Kimberly Shannon, Beer, Wine and Liquor Specialist at Giant Eagle, Inc

Neil Ferguson, Director of Marketing at Oregon Wine Board and IBWSS 2024 Speaker

Chris Swonger, President & CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility  

Elizabeth Tomasino, Associate Professor of Enology at Oregon State University  

Evan Traub, Senior Account Manager at IMI Agency

Todd Azevedo, Wine & Grape Broker, Partner at Ciatti