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A Celebration of Craft, Leadership, and Community
The 2025 Bar Summit carried into Tuesday with a full day of thought-provoking seminars and exciting announcements. The General Session—Aperitivo & Amaro: The Future of Classic Italian Spirits in Modern Mixology—brought two legends, Dale DeGroff and Theodore Breaux, to the stage for a deep dive into flavor, tradition, and innovation, generously sponsored by Hood River Distillers.
Meanwhile, attendees on the Leadership Development track leaned into the heart of community building. “Going to the Moon on a Shark – The Do’s and Don’ts of Mentorship in the Bar” offered a candid look at the role of mentorship in shaping strong leaders, followed by “Stewardship & Strategy: Key Roles and Responsibilities for USBG Chapter Board Members,” presented by John Reyna, which equipped local leaders with the tools to serve with intention and clarity.
On the Professional Development track, attendees honed their skills in “Mastering IBA Technique for a Winning Strategy” with Felipe Castro C, and found new inspiration in “The Art of the Toast,” a standout session presented by Stephen Kurpinsky and Ashley Danella, sponsored by DIAGEO. The day closed with “Transparency in Alcohol Labeling – Global Trends in Disclosing Ingredients and Additives in Alcohol” with Bailey Pryor—a timely topic that left everyone thinking about the future of consumer trust and education in the industry.
Celebrating Our Chapters & Crowning a Champion
Tuesday evening brought two high-energy celebrations. The USBG Chapter Awards Ceremony kicked off with exciting announcements about new member benefits. Executive Director Bo Shuff unveiled USBG’s new partnership with Signature Federal Credit Union, which gives all members access to 5,000 shared branches, 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs, low-interest loans, and a custom USBG Visa card. Members can simply choose “USBG” from the dropdown menu when enrolling.
Bo also announced a new strategic partnership with 2025 Bar Summit Ruby Sponsor, Virgin Voyages. USBG members now enjoy exclusive Insider status and deep discounts on adult-only cruises—starting at just $150 per person, per night. It’s a benefit designed with hospitality professionals in mind: a well-deserved escape at a price that makes it possible.
Learn More About USBG Member Benefits →
From there, we turned our focus to honoring the incredible work of USBG Chapters across the country. Awards were given in categories like Member of the Year, Best Education Week, and Charitable Giving. USBG Atlanta was awarded Rising Star Chapter of the Year (pictured left) and USBG Dallas took home Chapter of the Year for the 2nd time since the award's inception in 2019 (pictured right).
And in the moment everyone had been waiting for, we revealed the location of next year’s Bar Summit—Philadelphia, PA! We can’t wait to bring the energy, education, and community spirit of the USBG to the City of Brotherly Love in 2026.
Watch the ceremony live on Instagram →
At the close of the ceremony, USBG recognized all chapters with one or more Guildhouses—a new program bringing visibility and resources to local venues supporting USBG’s mission. Charlotte and Cleveland led the way, each with four Guildhouses in their area, and were honored with a special gift in celebration of their leadership.
Then it was off to Tesserae at The Thompson for the World Class Announcement Party, where attendees raised a glass to the newly crowned 2025 World Class US Bartender of the Year. Congratulations to all the competitors who brought their talent, passion, and creativity to the stage—you continue to inspire the future of our industry.
The Final Sip
As the Summit came to a close, the USBG Atlanta Chapter gave us one last, unforgettable moment to gather. Whether folks were catching flights or squeezing in a few more hugs, the Final Sip Block Party at A Sip of Paradise Garden was the perfect sendoff.
The atmosphere was vibrant and heartfelt—filled with music, laughter, and that special kind of magic that only happens when hospitality professionals come together in celebration. It was more than just a party; it was a final toast to a week of learning, connection, and shared purpose.
One of our attendees, Jess Nsiah Rush (@j3ssrush), beautifully captured the moment on Instagram, sharing the feeling of gratitude and kinship that echoed through every conversation and clink of a glass:
This wasn’t just a block party—it was a union of hearts, hands, and hospitality. The kind of community you don’t just walk into… you come home to.
Jess’s words captured what so many of us felt—grateful, inspired, and deeply connected.
As attendees said their goodbyes and began the journey home, one thing was certain: this year’s Summit didn’t just raise the bar—it brought the community closer than ever. And while we’ll all carry the memories of Atlanta with us, we’re already looking ahead to the next chapter. See you in Philadelphia for the 2026 USBG Bar Summit!
