Eighth Annual USBG National Education Week Events

Tiffany Soles

September 17, 2024

Our eighth annual USBG National Education Week is October 6-12, 2024! Each year, the USBG Education Committee asks chapters to provide a multi-day seminar (or ‘Academy Days’ as they were previously called) for its members as part of a collected organization-wide initiative to highlight and focus on ongoing education offerings for USBG members. Education Week events are promoted with the common hashtag #USBGedweek.

This year, be on the lookout for these promising educational opportunities:

USBG AUSTIN

Mindset for Success: Randy Tarlow, Liquid Alchemist Founder, is bringing his Mindset for Success seminar to USBG Austin, along with a mini sour lab on how to enhance sour cocktails with Liquid Alchemist syrups
The Art of Balance Roundtable: Join Glenn Boils for a roundtable discussion on how to promote a healthy work/life balance and how to incorporate these principles into making a balanced cocktail
Ice Class: Javier Flores, Fat Ice Founder, will lead a seminar on why ice is important, why we use different styles of ice for different drinks, and how big block cubes are made and cut
East Austin Bike Ride and Wellness Hour: Education will be provided by Austin Bacon of Ritual Zero Proof
Welcome Back to Bourbon Season: Enjoy Jefferson Bourbon and Brisket
Heard Service Industry Game Night

USBG BUFFALO

Midleton Whiskey Class: Midleton Irish Whiskey Distiller, Ellie Gavigan speaks on her time with Midleton Estate Distilling and some of her favorite Irish whiskeys
Cocktails on Draft: Danny Dispo, Bar Manager at Hydraulic Hearth, will demonstrate and discuss their cocktail draft system. He will also discuss his time at Michelin star restaurant, Band of Bohemia
Demystify Wine Tasting: Join local sommelier, Conor, as we sample wine and explore how to begin your wine tasting journey
Chartreuse Class: Come learn about the secrets of this famous French liqueur from the only man qualified to teach it in Buffalo
Narcan Training: a Buffalo Resilience leader will provide a lesson on how best to take care of guests in their most dire time of need

USBG HOUSTON

Canadian Whiskey: Covering blended whiskey from Canada and hands on whiskey blending workshop
History of Liqueurs: Timeline of different major liqueurs in history, their regulations, and applications
Mexican Spirits: Side-by-side examination of different Mexican spirits and some history on the culture behind them
Narcan Administration and CPR Certification
American Whiskey Pie Baking Class
THC Liqueur Laboratory: Join us on a field trip to the THC Liqueur Laboratory to observe production methods
Paring Food with Drinks

USBG LAS VEGAS (October 14-18)

Cognac and Finances: Enjoy a tasting of Hine Cognac as we discuss financial topics relevant to attendees
Las Vegas Distillery Tour/Education: Tour the newly opened Las Vegas Distillery and sample a few of the spirits they are producing. Learn more about distillation and what it takes to open a distillery.
Nice Ice: Join Nice Ice owner, Matt Scripp for a deep dive into ice production, creation, challenges and processes. Get hands-on ice chipping experience and learn how certain shapes and sizes of ice can affect the flavor and presentation in cocktails. Limited to 20 people.
Peer-ing Into the Competition: This session will provide a deep dive into competitions and the processes, online applications, and understanding what key points may give you a competitive edge. The practical portion of this session will provide an opportunity for attendees to judge each other’s cocktails to gain an understanding of what a judge’s perspective may be; and have the chance to receive feedback from fellow peers on their cocktail.

USBG MIAMI (October 14-15)

Boozy Bites: Deutsch Family Spirits will be leading a cooking seminar using their brands
Modern Modification – The Importance of a Good Menu Design: Learn how to organize your menu to read properly to the consumer
Pushing Through Adversity: A panel discussion featuring women who have pushed through adversity to become industry powerhouses
House of Widow Jane: An interactive and multi-station seminar where members will engage in a blending area, creative area, hands-on area, and have the opportunity to create a cocktail to be entered in a competition that will be held that night

USBG ORANGE COUNTY (October 21-23)

3 C’s of Cocktail Building: Citric adjustment, clarification, and carbonation (forced)
Ice Seminar: Join Camper English for a presentation about ice and its importance in cocktails
Spice Up Your Life: Using spices in cocktails
Hot Cocktails: Learn more about hot drinks through time
Pairing Cocktails with Food
Asian Flavors in Cocktails
Garnishes and Consumer Impact
History of the Cocktail: presented by Phillip Dobard

USBG OREGON

Menu Building 101: Learn the essentials of building a successful cocktail menu, from selecting the right spirits to crafting balanced cocktails. We’ll cover how to price your cocktails for profitability, choose ingredients that align with your concept, and create a menu that appeals to your target audience
Cantaritos de Barro Painting: Join us for a fun and interactive class featuring a spirit tasting and hands-on training session. Afterward, unleash your creativity with a personalized Cantaritos de Barro painting activity, where you’ll decorate your own traditional clay cup to take home
PDX Coffee Tour: Discover Portland’s vibrant coffee scene on this immersive coffee tour, where you’ll explore a variety of brewing methods, roasts, and styles at some of the city’s top coffee spots
Neurodiversity in Hospitality – Creating Inclusive Spaces: This training is designed to provide the hospitality and bartending community with a deeper understanding of neurodivergence and how to create more inclusive, supportive environments for both staff and guests

USBG PALM BEACH

Low Proof Cocktails – Keep the Party Going and the Profits Flowing: Face it, the new generation is looking for lower proof and healthier options when it comes to nights (or days) out on the town. Explore cocktail ideas that deliver less buzz (and less hangovers) but deliver on experience (and grow the bottom line).
Making Magic Moments Behind the Bar: Join Dean Serneels, a master of mixology and bar magic, for an immersive seminar that explores the art of creating unforgettable guest experiences.
Breaking Down IBA Cocktail Competitions for a Winning Strategy: Step into the competitive world of IBA cocktail competitions with industry champions Francisco Javier Lopez, Jhonnatan Mejias, and Felipe Castro, as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to succeed on the global stage. Learn insider tips, common pitfalls, and the subtle details that can set your entry apart from the rest.
Bartenders’ Shakedown 2024: The first Working Flair Bartending Competition is back and bigger! The multi-round, multi-day open bartending competition includes four separate optional competitions for any style of bartender to compete. For more information or to enter, click here.

USBG PITTSBURGH

Competition Ready and Your Bartender Brand: Join Pittsburgh Chapter Member, George Santel for this informative presentation and hands-on workshop geared at giving participants insights into presenting themselves to judges and sponsors, using time wisely, and the little details that judges look for
SAFE Bar Network Community Ambassador Training: Empowering venue teams with Active Bystander & De-Escalation skills benefits hospitality employees by improving and/or reinforcing a culture of non-violence and support
Amore di Amaro: Join Nicole Hackwelder, Bar Manager at Spork, for an in-depth discussion on amaros and how to approach the notorious bitter beverage
Iron City Distilling: Join us as we tour Iron City Distilling’s new three-chamber still and take a deep-dive into spirits production/distilling education
Non-Alcoholic Options: presented by Mel Babitz
Rum Club: presented by Liz Lang
Membership Costume Party

USBG RICHMOND

Morning Stretch & Meditation: Start your day right as Jim Morgan leads a morning stretch and meditation with a discussion on strategies for a post-shift wind-down that doesn’t involve a cocktail.
The Lost Spirits: The History of Distilling and Brewing in Virginia focusing on the legacy of African-American Brewers and Distillers and the impact they have made in Virginia and across the United States presented by Deb Freeman.
Infusion Workshop – Spirits, Syrups, and Tinctures: presented by Beth Dixon
Burritos and Banter: An informal discussion of topics relevant to Virginia’s bartending community
Building a Profitable and Efficient Bar Program: Join Restaurant Rockstar founder, Roger Beaudin as he discusses topics like hiring and retaining talent, how product and bar knowledge lead to better hospitality and salesmanship, identifying competitive advantages, the importance of “the basics”, building guest loyalty, and much, much, more!
Competitive Craft – Strategies for Entering (and Winning) Mixology Competitions: Cocktail competition judge and administrator Eric Kozlik shares insights that will prepare you to enter and succeed in cocktail competitions of all types.
Say Cheese (and Booze)!: Learn about identifying flavor profiles and how to pair them with the perfect cocktail. Noted cheese monger, Justin Franklin, will explore a spectrum of food flavor profiles through the world of cheese and will be accompanied by Steve Yang to discuss strategies to create the perfect pairing.

USBG SAN DIEGO

San Diego Sake Festival: Get ready for the ultimate celebration of Sake in San Diego! The San Diego Sake Club, in collaboration with the Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana, proudly presents the highly anticipated San Diego Sake Festival 2024. Join us as we take you on an extraordinary journey through the world of Sake, featuring the best selections from Japan and the United States! Discounted tickets available!
SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo: Over 30 educational seminars and panel discussions, tastings featuring a range of exceptional wines, beers, and spirits, mentorship and networking opportunities with top professionals, and a Beverage Expo showcasing 100+ domestic and international producers of wine, beer, and spirits. Discounted tickets available!
Mexico in a Bottle: North America’s pre-eminent mezcal and Mexican spirits tasting event! Spirits from Mexico aren’t just what’s in the bottle. Each bottle contains a piece and flavor of Mexican culture. Mexico in a Bottle honors and celebrates the spirits of Mexico. Discounted tickets available!

USBG SAN FRANSISCO

Overdose Prevention and Treatment with the SF Health Department: Learn how to spot an opioid overdose and administer the life-saving medication Naloxone (aka Narcan)
Introduction to SafeBars with Zack Sanders: Non-profit SafeBars teaches de-escalation strategies and bystander training for those in the hospitality industry. This brief introduction will be a starting point for future sessions to create safe spaces for both staff and customers
Craft Your Career Path with Aleka Ross: A guide to the many career options within our industry led by industry veteran Aleka Ross
Happy Brains – Neuroscience of Hospitality with Professor Dr. Loretta Breuning: How our brains function on alcohol and why humans love it, led by author and professor Dr. Loretta Breuning. Copies of her book will be provided and time available for signing.
Petals and Potions with Brent Sanchez: Seminar featuring floral arrangement and cocktails
History of the Barbary Coast with Duggan McDonnell: Join Duggan for a Historical Cocktail Walking Tour of the Barbary Coast

USBG SEATTLE

EdWeek Kick-off Party
Fermentation Master Class: Proprietary yeast fermenter, Dr. Pat Heist, Co-Founder of Wilderness Trail, will present a seminar on yeast strains and lifecycle
How to do a Pop-Up: Guest speakers from the community with share their experience and answer questions on effectively hosting pop-ups
Crafting an NA Menu: Join local NA genius, Kayleigh, as she shares tips and tricks to make balanced and exciting NA drinks
How’s My Driving: Community roundtable to check-in, listen to needs, and identify objectives

USBG TAMPA BAY

Taste the Rainbow: Learn how to turn your boring brown classic cocktails into showstoppers by utilizing natural ingredients to visually uplift your libations.
I’ll Have Another, Please: Learn the art of creating the perfect low/no octane cocktails and allow your guests to safely consume multiple crafty concoctions.
Blind Tasting – Are You Diffused?: Enjoy a blind tasting of agave spirits and let us know if you know which one(s) used a diffusor in its production.
Maturation – Experience the Differences: A sampling of how wood and maturation can really influence the character of a whisk(e)y.
Tea: Join Zach Lynch to explore how tea is the perfect accompaniment to your cocktail program. Learn about the history and versatility of tea in cocktail culture.
Low Proof Cocktails: “Keep the party going and the profits flowing” with Dianna Greene. Learn the art of creating the perfect low/no octane cocktails and allow your guests to safely consume multiple crafty concoctions.
Agave Diffused? Blind Tasting: Join Evan Meeker for a look into the use of diffusors in the agave spirits industry and the possible repercussions from it. The seminar will be integrated with a blind sampling of diffused agave spirits vs. non.
Heirloom Corn Varietals: Zach Fear will discuss heirloom corn varietals and the role of farming and agriculture in “Seed to Spirit” craft whiskey production.