Beyond the Bar: Innovations, Trends, and Challenges in the Beverage Industry

Presented and moderated by Dr. Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Professor and Co-Founder, DMV Black Restaurant Week, this panel will explore the current state and future of the beverage industry, focusing on key trends, challenges, and opportunities. Topics include how cultural heritage and diverse ingredients are redefining classic cocktails, the rise of non-alcoholic beverages, how the bar industry has adapted post-pandemic, addressing shifts in customer behavior, staffing challenges, and innovative business models.

Moderator: Dr. Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Professor and Co-Founder, DMV Black Restaurant Week
Panelists Include: Ester Tseng, Beverage Writer & Critic; Pam Wiznitzer, Mixologist; Julia Momose, Kumiko; Will Patton, Press Club; Andra “AJ” Johnson, Serenata; Christine Duke, Kendall College