What began as a trade-focused occasion for working bartenders has developed into one of the vital influential gatherings in international hospitality. Since its launch in 2018, BCB Brooklyn has grow to be a hub for schooling, innovation, and industry-defining conversations.
Because the occasion continues to increase in each measurement and scope, its mission stays rooted in supporting the folks behind the bar. We spoke with Jackie Williams Occasion Vice President of BCB Brooklyn, about how BCB Brooklyn has grown, what’s new for 2026, and why the occasion continues to resonate throughout the {industry}.
What was the unique imaginative and prescient whenever you first launched BCB Brooklyn, and the way has that imaginative and prescient developed?
Once we launched BCB Brooklyn in 2018, the objective was to create a gathering place for the bar {industry} that was constructed for working hospitality professionals. We needed bartenders, model founders, distributors and hospitality professionals to have a spot to trade concepts, uncover new merchandise and be taught from each other. Because the occasion has grown, that imaginative and prescient has expanded alongside the {industry} itself. Immediately BCB Brooklyn displays the worldwide nature of recent bar tradition whereas staying rooted in that authentic objective: supporting the individuals who drive hospitality ahead.
What has shocked you essentially the most about how the occasion has developed?
What has been most enjoyable is how the {industry} embraced BCB Brooklyn as greater than only a commerce present. It has grow to be a spot the place significant conversations about the way forward for hospitality occur, and the place bartenders come not solely to find new merchandise, but additionally to be taught from each other and achieve new abilities. Bartenders, hospitality professionals, model founders and distributors all use the occasion otherwise, some come to discover what’s new, others to share concepts, construct partnerships, or deepen their data via the various schooling alternatives. Seeing these interactions develop yr after yr has been extremely rewarding.
What can attendees anticipate that will probably be new or totally different this yr?
In 2026 we’re persevering with to increase each the schooling and experiential sides of the occasion. One of many largest additions is the brand new Workshop Stage, which focuses on hands-on studying and sensible abilities that bartenders can instantly apply of their companies. We’re additionally increasing illustration on the present flooring to incorporate extra new product launches, ready-to-drink manufacturers, barware corporations and hospitality expertise platforms, reflecting how the beverage panorama continues to evolve.
Alongside that, we’re introducing Premium VIP badge choices that provide deeper entry to schooling and networking alternatives all through the occasion, together with extra intimate programming on Monday. On the experiential facet, the courtyard will play a bigger function this yr, anchored by a devoted bar that includes a few of New York’s high bartenders, alongside activations just like the Garnish Backyard and extra moments designed to encourage connection and discovery exterior of the normal present flooring.
Are there any new experiences or initiatives you’re significantly enthusiastic about?
We’re particularly enthusiastic about experiences that carry each creativity and neighborhood to the forefront this yr. Pleasure on the Pour celebrates LGBTQIA+ possession, advocacy, and management inside New York’s hospitality neighborhood. The Garnish Backyard will activate the courtyard as an immersive, hands-on gathering area the place attendees can discover and personalize their drinks.
Training has all the time been a cornerstone of BCB Brooklyn. Why is constant schooling so necessary at this time?
The hospitality {industry} evolves shortly, and persevering with schooling permits professionals to continue to learn and creating their craft. At BCB Brooklyn, schooling is about greater than tendencies. It’s about giving folks instruments, perspective and concepts they will carry again to their bars, manufacturers and companies.
How do you curate audio system and classes to remain related for working bartenders?
The Principal Stage schooling is led by Head of Training Lynnette Marrero alongside a committee of revered {industry} leaders. As a result of they’re actively working throughout bars, manufacturers and hospitality teams, they convey firsthand perception into what the {industry} is going through at this time and form content material that balances sensible enterprise takeaways with inventive inspiration.
Past the Principal Stage, BCB Brooklyn curates programming throughout a number of devoted phases, every designed to serve a definite goal. Park Avenue College is geared towards the enterprise facet, with classes targeted on distribution, model constructing, and the operational realities behind operating and scaling a spirits model. Liquid Lounges supply a extra informal, interactive setting for tastings and reside demonstrations, the place attendees can have interaction straight with merchandise and the folks behind them. New for 2026, the Workshop Stage will deal with hands-on studying and technical skill-building, giving bartenders sensible instruments they will instantly apply of their day-to-day work.
What function do occasions like BCB Brooklyn play in shaping the way forward for hospitality tradition?
Occasions like BCB Brooklyn create a uncommon second the place all the {industry} gathers in a single place. When bartenders, operators, model founders and educators come collectively, new concepts take form and collaborations start.
In spite of everything these years, what nonetheless excites you essentially the most?
The vitality on the present flooring remains to be essentially the most thrilling half. Watching bartenders reconnect with friends, uncover a brand new product or stroll into an schooling session that sparks a recent thought by no means will get outdated. The extent of ardour folks carry to this {industry} is exceptional, and BCB Brooklyn provides them a spot to share it.
What do you hope attendees take with them?
I hope they go away feeling impressed and energized about what they do. Whether or not it’s discovering a brand new model, studying a way they will carry again to their bar or assembly somebody who sparks a future collaboration, these moments are what make the expertise significant.
Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB Brooklyn) returns in 2026 as one of many premier gatherings for the worldwide bar and spirits neighborhood, bringing collectively bartenders, model leaders, distributors, and hospitality professionals for 3 days of innovation, schooling, and connection. This yr’s occasion expands its hands-on programming with the debut of a Workshop Stage, alongside immersive experiences just like the Garnish Backyard and a dynamic courtyard bar that includes high New York expertise. With a rising deal with rising classes, expertise, and real-world enterprise insights, BCB Brooklyn continues to mirror the evolving panorama of the {industry} whereas staying rooted in its mission to help these behind the bar.
Register now and safe your badge to expertise BCB Brooklyn 2026 firsthand.
The submit BCB Brooklyn Retains Getting Higher, Right here’s Why appeared first on Chilled Journal.
