JUNE 11+12 | NEW YORK, NY

BevNET Live NYC 2025 Speakers

The BevNET Live NYC speaker lineup has shaped some of the most influential brands. On stage they'll share actionable insights on the trends and strategies driving the beverage market today. From leadership lessons to retail channel success, these sessions provide expert perspectives and real-world strategies you can implement immediately to stay competitive.

  • Jeff Klineman

    Jeff Klineman

    Editor in Chief, BevNET

Beverage School Speakers

Industry newcomers can learn the basics of running a beverage business and jumpstart their networking at Beverage School. Experts will present on topics early-stage beverage brands need to know, including finance, sales, marketing, design, and operations. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to sit down with the experts and ask them their toughest questions.

Sponsored Workshop Speakers

Retail Buyers Taking 1:1 Meetings

At BevNET Live, beverage brands are invited to participate in 10 minute meetings with the below retail representatives. You must be a registered attendee to sign up. Additional retailers will be added to this list.

  • Joanne Neugebauer

    Joanne Neugebauer

    Senior Beverage Category Merchant , Whole Foods Market

  • David Lafferty

    David Lafferty

    Executive Leader (Beverages & Snacks), Whole Foods Market

  • Tracy Lester

    Tracy Lester

    Business Development Manager, HEB

  • Jon Halper

    Jon Halper

    Owner/CEO, Top Ten Liquors

  • John Lawson

    John Lawson

    Senior Local Forager, Whole Foods Market

  • Maxine Lopez

    Maxine Lopez

    Merchandising Manager, The Goods Mart

  • Lia O'Rourke

    Lia O'Rourke

    Director of Operations, The Goods Mart

New Beverage Showdown Judges

The New Beverage Showdown is the leading business pitch competition for the beverage industry. Designed to support and showcase new products and promising founders, it focuses on the innovators and entrepreneurs designing the products of tomorrow.

Recent Event Announcements

  • BevNET Live: Scaling Up With Olipop’s Mel Landis

    At BevNET Live Summer, Olipop president Mel Landis spoke about his approach to shifting a brand's focus from being new and innovative to scaling for a new growth stage that positions it for long-term success.
  • BevNET Live: Making The Right Call With Koia CEO Chris Hunter

    Learning to pivot amid difficult decisions has been a hallmark of Koia CEO Chris Hunter’s journey as a serial beverage entrepreneur, investor and brand leader.
  • BevNET Live: Leadership Lessons From Yerba Madre CEO Ben Mand

    In this video from BevNET Live Summer, Yerba Madre CEO Ben Mand spoke about his leadership strategy and why every business requires a different approach.
  • Join Us at BevNET Live December 7-9 in Marina del Rey, CA; Register Early to Save

    BevNET Live is back in Marina del Rey, CA on December 7-9. Connect with beverage leaders, discover industry trends, and close out the year strong. Register early to save on tickets and access the hotel room block. Don’t miss out on this key event to fuel your brand’s growth into 2026.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Taste Radio Studio Schedule; Watch The Free Livestream

    It’s almost time for BevNET Live NYC! If you’re unable to join us in-person, you still have the opportunity to listen to the important conversations happening on the main stage and in the Taste Radio Studio – we will make a free livestream available June 11-12.
  • BevNET Live NYC This Week (June 11+12) is Almost Sold Out; Over 725 Beverage Leaders Registered

    BevNET Live, the leading event for the beverage industry, is returning to New York City this week on June 11th and 12th, and it’s almost sold out. With over 725 beverage professionals already confirmed, the event is set to be a dynamic gathering of founders, entrepreneurs, investors, retailers, and service providers shaping the future of the beverage landscape.
  • BevNET Live NYC: Beverage School and Hands-On Workshops Set the Stage for Learning on June 11 + 12

    Beverage brands attending BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12 gain access to targeted education and hands-on learning through Beverage School and a series of expert-led workshops.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Business, Brands, Beverages, Belsito!

    What does it take to lead iconic brands, shape beverage trends, and solve the daily challenges of entrepreneurship? For Jack Belsito, it’s the sum of decades of experience, sharp instincts, and a deep understanding of what it really means to build lasting value in beverages. At BevNET Live this June 11 & 12 in New York City, Belsito will kick off the event with a wide-ranging conversation via “Business, Brands, Beverages, Belsito!”—offering strategic perspective from one of the industry’s most seasoned leaders.
  • BevNET Live NYC: 1 Week Away; 650+ Registered & Limited Seats Remain

    BevNET Live NYC is only one week away, taking place in New York City on June 11+12. Over 650 beverage executives are already registered, with more registering daily, and limited seats remain!
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: The Power of Brand – Liquid Death’s Lust for Life

    When it comes to modern beverage success stories, few names are shouted louder—or tattooed more often—than Liquid Death. But behind the screaming skulls and viral videos lies a disciplined growth strategy, powered by brand clarity and executed with precision. At BevNET Live on June 11 & 12 in New York City, attendees will get a front-row seat to that strategy in action during “The Power of Brand: Liquid Death’s Lust for Life,” a discussion with the brand’s Chief Strategy Officer, Marisa Bertha.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Meet the New Beverage Showdown Semifinalists

    It’s time to reveal the semifinalists for BevNET’s signature pitch competition, the New Beverage Showdown, taking place at BevNET Live in NYC on June 11 + 12.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: What Strategics Want

    At BevNET Live this June 11 & 12 in New York City, we’ll get a rare look at what strategics are really looking for in acquisition and investment targets during our panel “What Strategics Want.” This conversation brings together leaders with firsthand experience on both sides of transformational deals and the insight to help founders position themselves for success.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Adult NA – Building the Category

    At BevNET Live this June 11 & 12 in New York City, we’ll hear from three leaders working to define, distribute, and differentiate the next generation of adult NA brands. The session, “Adult NA: Building the Category,” will explore how brands are evolving their retail strategies, marketing narratives, and product positioning to meet rising demand and deepen consumer connection.
  • BevNET Live NYC: 2 Weeks Away; 550+ Are Already Registered

    BevNET Live, the leading event for beverage industry professionals, returns to New York City on June 11+12 with over 550 executives already registered and new programming designed to accelerate growth, visibility, and industry connections.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Olipop President Mel Landis on Building for Scale

    Olipop is one of the fastest-growing brands in beverage — and it’s got a new hand on the wheel alongside co-founder/CEO Ben Goodwin. At BevNET Live on June 11 + 12 in New York City, attendees will hear directly from Mel Landis, the newly appointed President of Olipop, as he shares how he’s approaching the next chapter of the functional soda brand’s journey.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Meet One-to-One With Top Ten Liquors

    At BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12, beverage brands have the opportunity to meet one-to-one with retail buyers, including Top Ten Liquors, a retailer that is focused on meeting with cannabis and alcoholic beverage brands. Attendees can also meet with Stop & Shop, Whole Foods Market, Circle K, H-E-B, Casey’s, and The Goods Mart.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Meet With Casey’s During Retail One-to-One Meetings

    In 20 days, beverage brands can meet one-to-one with leading retail partners at BevNET Live, taking place in NYC on June 11 + 12. Casey’s is the latest addition to the lineup of participating retailers, which already includes Stop & Shop, Whole Foods Market, Circle K, H-E-B, and The Goods Mart.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11+12: Cannabevs: The State of the Union

    For a category that’s meant to deliver chill and pleasant vibes, THC-infused beverages can often be anything but. To help unpack this complex issue, we’ll be hosting a panel discussion at BevNET Live NYC, taking place on June 11 + 12, with experienced leaders and experts.
  • H-E-B Joins Retailer One-to-One Meetings at BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12

    In just 23 days, beverage brands can meet one-to-one with leading retail partners at BevNET Live, taking place in NYC on June 11 + 12. H-E-B is joining the lineup of participating retailers, which includes Whole Foods Market, Circle K, The Goods Mart, and Stop & Shop.
  • BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12: Stop & Shop Added to Retailer One-to-One Meetings

    BevNET Live is only 26 days away! The leading event for the beverage industry takes place in NYC on June 11+12, bringing growth-focused beverage brands face-to-face with leading retail buyers through exclusive One-to-One meetings.

We’re Looking For: A-Listers & Innovators

Speakers inspire the next generation of beverage brands. Discuss innovative practices, battle scars, data insights or cases that focus on breaking through or getting to the next level – and the lessons learned in the process.

Our conferences create a community and we want speakers that value the impact they have by being on stage. We curate our speaker rosters to feature individuals that prioritize partnership and the sharing of experiences over pitching themselves or their company. Our speakers are not compensated and get on stage to lead the industry forward.