BevNET Live will feature a discussion on the ways Walmart is trying to evolve the experience of entrepreneurial beverage brands in the world’s largest grocer.
BevNET Live NYC 2026 is being held June 10 & 11 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. During the discussion, Dee Charlemagne, Walmart’s Senior Director of Emerging Brands, will be joined by Lesley Osorio, a senior beverage category merchant at Walmart, to outline the ways that entrepreneurial beverage brands can partner with and thrive in the Walmart system, as well as the expectations and challenges that can come with the retailer.
It’s a discussion that will be powered by Charlemagne’s own experience as a co-founder of the beverage company Avec. Having learned what it takes to build a beverage brand, she brings a founder perspective to Walmart, helping to re-engineer how it’s partnering with the next generation of high-growth brands.
Attendees at BevNET Live should not miss this vital discussion: Walmart’s approach to beverage innovation has been gradually changing for several years. The company recently pioneered new beverage category showcase sets, including Modern Soda and Modern Tea. At the same time, historically, Walmart has been something of a two-edged sword. It’s an incredible scale opportunity, but also requires an honest assessment of a brand’s capabilities and resources. With Charlemagne and Osorio, founders will understand what they need to look at inside their companies as they explore partnerships with Walmart.
In addition to speakers and panelists, attendees have the chance to network and sample throughout the event, watch the New Beverage Showdown, and meet with retailers and investors during private 1:1 meetings. Early-stage founders can learn at Beverage School, held before the main stage sessions, while sponsor-led workshops take place throughout the day. View the full agenda.
The event takes place in less than two weeks! Join more than 550 beverage professionals already registered.
Register for BevNET Live NYC 2026 >>
About BevNET Live
BevNET Live is the beverage industry’s premier event, bringing together brands, distributors, retailers, investors, and service providers to explore what’s ahead for the industry. Featuring top-tier speakers and the fan-favorite New Beverage Showdown, each event draws hundreds of brands from across the country.