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The wait is finally over! The inaugural 2024 USBG Bar Summit has officially begun, bringing together industry pros, enthusiasts, and even Guy Fieri to learn, network, and tackle common challenges in the hospitality industry. Here’s a rundown of what attendees have been up to during the first two days of this amazing annual event.
Day 1: Warm Welcomes and Networking
Board members and volunteers greeted attendees on Sunday at the Hyatt Regency at Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits set the tone early with a career center and photo booth, offering attendees the chance to get a professional headshot or a fun group photo.
The welcome reception featured inspiring speeches from Ingrid Rodriguez and Jess Pettitt, along with Denver Chapter leader Chad Michael George, who expressed excitement over the many new faces, signaling the growth of the USBG in the right direction.
The evening continued with a late-night cocktail party sponsored by Diageo, where attendees enjoyed mingling and sharing industry stories.
Day 2: Education, Inspiration, and Guy Fieri
The second day kicked off with a breakout session during lunch, led by Peter Clayton and Jess Pettitt. Groups engaged in lively discussions about the challenges facing the new and next generation of bartenders and brainstormed strategies to help them succeed.
The highlight of the summit came in the afternoon when Guy Fieri took the stage at the Denver Athletic Club. In his keynote speech, Guy, alongside emcee Jess Pettitt, discussed supporting younger generations in the industry, fostering harmony between front and back of house operations, and even shared the backstory of his signature blonde haircut.
After his speech, Guy stuck around to sign shirts, shake hands, and share stories, giving attendees an insider look at the distilling process that makes Santos tequila so delicious.
Educational Sessions and More
Educational sessions were in full swing, with Chapter Leaders attending seminars like "Love...No Ego – The Courage to Be You" by Freddy Jackson and "Developing Your Unique Leadership Style" by Brian Warrener.
On the Professional Development track, attendees learned about developing their cocktail color palettes with John Henderson and empowering consumers to make informed decisions with Dr. Amanda Berger and Ainsley Giglierano.
The fun didn’t stop there. After dinner, attendees headed to The Puttshack for an evening of good food, great drinks, and networking on the putt-putt courses.
Those with energy to spare made their way to the late-night party at Star Bar Denver, sponsored by Bacardi, capping off an incredible first full day at the 2024 Bar Summit.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for making this event extra special. Stay tuned next week when we announce the winners of the Chapter Awards dinner, happening tonight at 7pm.
Join us for more insights, stories, and highlights as we continue to celebrate the 2024 USBG Bar Summit!