Because the cocktail and spirits trade continues to evolve, so does BCB Brooklyn, the occasion that has develop into a central hub for beverage professionals worldwide.
With its debut in 2018, BCB Brooklyn shortly established itself as a must-attend occasion, rising yr after yr in dimension, affect, and influence. Forward of BCB Brooklyn 2025, we had the chance to sit down down with Jackie Williams, the Occasion Vice President, to listen to her ideas on the upcoming present and what attendees can count on. From new experiential actions to the mixing of rising tendencies, Jackie shares insights into the thrilling way forward for BCB Brooklyn and the methods it continues to form the beverage neighborhood.
Are you able to share a bit about the place you are feeling BCB Brooklyn is in the present day from the place it’s come through the years?
Since its launch in 2018, BCB Brooklyn has grown right into a must-attend occasion for the worldwide beverage trade. Over time, we’ve expanded our footprint, diversified our programming, and created an area the place significant connections and collaborations flourish. We’ve rigorously curated our programming–which ranges from expert-led seminars and panels to tasting rooms that includes a big selection of spirits–to teach and encourage trade professionals yr after yr. The colourful present flooring, with a whole lot of exhibitors, serves as a hub for networking, discovering new manufacturers, and exploring the newest tendencies. All through the present, manufacturers and people are capable of join, which helps their companies develop. Immediately, BCB Brooklyn is a dynamic platform that displays the innovation, creativity, and neighborhood on the core of the beverage trade.
How has your function advanced, and what excites you most about what you’re doing this yr?
Similar to BCB Brooklyn itself, my function has advanced alongside the present’s progress. Whereas I initially began in advertising and marketing for tradeshows, I’ve since stepped into shaping BCB Brooklyn’s strategic route, and now oversee the complete technique, planning, and completion of the present. What excites me most this yr is the chance to introduce new initiatives that replicate present trade tendencies–whether or not it’s sustainability-focused programming or fostering deeper world hospitality connections. Seeing the influence on the neighborhood is extremely rewarding, and I can’t wait to observe this yr’s present carry individuals collectively in new and significant methods.
What makes BCB Brooklyn 2025 stand out from earlier years, and what are you wanting ahead to this yr?
With expanded indoor courtyard house, we’re introducing new onsite experiential actions, together with extra hands-on workshops and enhanced outside activations. I’m particularly excited to welcome new exhibitors—there are some first-time manufacturers becoming a member of us at BCB Brooklyn this yr. Past that, I’m wanting ahead to the heightened deal with world hospitality practices, continued sustainability-driven improvements, and the mixing of rising tendencies like aware ingesting, which has led to the addition of the No/Low-Alcohol Pavilion on the present.
Are there any tendencies or improvements showcased that you would be able to share?
Positively. The non-alcoholic beverage scene is booming as extra individuals lean into well being, wellness, and complex booze-free choices. It’s an enormous alternative for alcohol manufacturers to diversify and meet new calls for. Sustainability can also be big—eco-friendly packaging and waste discount are entrance and heart, so many manufacturers are reducing down on waste and emissions. Asian-inspired spirits and components (like yuzu, matcha, and shiso) are popping up all over the place, with a 20% soar in shopper demand from final yr. Premiumization continues to be going robust, highlighted within the rise of high-end bottle gross sales and types specializing in luxe choices. Count on to see these sizzling subjects featured in each the exhibitor choices and our academic programming.
What function does BCB Brooklyn play in shaping and supporting the cocktail and spirits world?
BCB Brooklyn acts as a catalyst for progress and innovation throughout the cocktail and spirits neighborhood. We love to supply a platform for manufacturers to showcase their merchandise, assist foster connections amongst trade leaders and supply schooling that drives the trade ahead. By highlighting various voices, world views and cutting-edge tendencies, BCB Brooklyn helps form the way forward for the beverage neighborhood.
What ought to bartenders learn about attending BCB Brooklyn?
Bartenders ought to know that BCB Brooklyn is designed with them in thoughts. It’s an unparalleled alternative to find new merchandise, be taught from trade leaders and join with friends from world wide. The tutorial periods are tailor-made to supply sensible data, whereas the tasting and networking alternatives can encourage creativity {and professional} progress.
Speak to us concerning the academic element this yr.
Schooling is on the coronary heart of BCB Brooklyn. This yr, we’re providing over 50 periods throughout the Essential Stage, Liquid Lounges, and Park Avenue College, and for the primary time, we’re introducing two pre-show, exhibitor-focused academic periods on Monday, June ninth – extra info to come back quickly. Curated by our schooling committee—led by Lynnette Marrero, our Head of Schooling—the Essential Stage programming covers a dynamic vary of subjects, from technical expertise and enterprise methods to cultural deep dives. Whether or not you’re new to the trade or a seasoned skilled, our academic choices are designed to encourage and supply actionable insights that attendees can take again to their bars and companies.
How does BCB Brooklyn tackle key subjects like sustainability, variety, inclusion, and so forth., within the spirits trade?
At BCB Brooklyn, we’re dedicated to creating a significant influence. Sustainability, together with variety, inclusion, fairness, and belonging, are core to our values and we actively combine them into each side of the occasion. For each one in every of our exhibits, we observe the information to inclusive occasions laid out by our mother or father firm, RX International, to make sure BCB Brooklyn is designed with an inclusive mindset. Examples of this dedication embody the choice so as to add most well-liked pronouns to occasion badges, providing on-site reset rooms, gender-neutral bogs, and extra. Our purpose is to create an area the place all attendees and exhibitors really feel welcome, valued, and secure all through the occasion.
By way of our academic applications, we discover these crucial subjects in depth, collaborating with organizations like One other Spherical, One other Rally, and Numerous Powered Manufacturers, to assist and uplift underrepresented communities. Past schooling, we put our sustainability values into motion by implementing initiatives all through the occasion—from decreasing waste and minimizing signage to composting cocktail waste and enhancing recycling efforts. We additionally make the most of recycled supplies for sales space buildings and guarantee all workers uniforms are sustainability-made. Our final purpose is to cut back our carbon footprint and obtain internet zero carbon emissions by 2040.
What recommendation would you give manufacturers seeking to align themselves with bartender values in significant methods?
Authenticity is vital. Manufacturers ought to interact with the bartender neighborhood by means of real partnerships, not simply transactional relationships. Perceive what issues to bartenders—whether or not it’s new merchandise, sustainability, creativity, or neighborhood—and align your model’s values accordingly. Help academic initiatives, supply significant assets and create merchandise that actually meet the wants of the commerce.
In case you may give some recommendation to somebody attending BCB Brooklyn for the primary time, what would it not be?
The important thing to an ideal BCB Brooklyn expertise is to come back ready however keep versatile! Try the schedule beforehand to seek out the periods, occasions and exhibitors you don’t need to miss, however depart a while to discover and uncover new issues. Don’t be shy! Ask questions, attempt the tastings and meet new individuals. The most effective a part of BCB Brooklyn is the surprising conversations and connections you make, so be open to no matter comes your method.
What’s your most memorable second or achievement of your function with BCB Brooklyn to date, and the way has it formed your imaginative and prescient for the way forward for BCB Brooklyn?
One of the crucial memorable moments was the primary occasion post-pandemic. Seeing the neighborhood come collectively once more with such vitality and resilience was extremely highly effective. It bolstered the significance of human connection in our trade. That have has formed my imaginative and prescient for BCB Brooklyn’s future—to create areas that aren’t simply occasions, however vibrant, inclusive communities that foster progress and inspiration.
What ought to these attending BCB Brooklyn this yr you’ll want to take a look at?
Don’t miss the expanded outside courtyard house with much more excited exhibitors and you’ll want to take a look at the brand new No/Low-Alcohol Pavilion. Our schooling periods are full of thought-provoking content material and the Rising Manufacturers Pavilion is all the time a spotlight for locating contemporary expertise. Most significantly, take time to discover, join and immerse your self totally within the BCB Brooklyn expertise.
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