Bar Convent Berlin (BCB) will once again bring together the international bar and beverage community at Exhibition Centre Berlin.
Following the announcement of its 20th edition in May, BCB now reveals the next milestone for 2026: a completely reimagined Education Programme built around three distinct learning pillars, accompanied by the announcement of the first internationally renowned speakers.
BCB introduces a new educational framework designed to offer inspiration, context and practical knowledge in equal measure. Inspired by the process of distillation, the programme is structured around three complementary pillars:
Heads – Inspire Thinking
Through keynotes, panel discussions and fireside conversations, the category explores topics such as innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, brand building and the future of hospitality.
Hearts – Create Understanding
Sessions focus on diversity, inclusion, workplace culture, leadership, mental wellbeing and the conversations shaping a more sustainable industry.
Tails – Enable Action
Hands-on workshops and interactive sessions provide techniques, operational knowledge and immediately applicable skills.
The first confirmed speakers, talks and sessions include:
Vijay Mudaliar (Native Bar, Singapore) and Giacomo Gianotti (Paradiso, Barcelona) will explore the topic of Drink Design in a conversation hosted by BCB Education Board member Maria Gorbatschova. Having studied design before becoming Bar Manager at Berlin’s renowned Green Door Bar, Gorbatschova brings a unique perspective to the intersection of creativity, functionality and hospitality.
Alexis Goertz, founder of the Berlin-based fermentation education platform Edible Alchemy, will lead a hands-on workshop on Wild Fermented Soda Pop, where participants will create and take home their own naturally fermented soda while exploring the fundamentals of wild fermentation.
Kevin Kos will moderate a panel exploring how geographical remoteness can become a defining advantage for bars. Joining him are Jean Trinh (Alquímico, Cartagena), Don Ranasinghe (Smoke & Bitters, Hiriketiya) and Sofokli Cali (Nouvelle Vague, Tirana).
BCB Education Director Priyanka Blah will host a panel discussion on working with media, bringing together leading voices from the international press and PR landscape to discuss how bars and brands can build authentic visibility, meaningful relationships and lasting relevance.
Rounding out the first programme highlights, Camille Vidal, founder of La Maison Wellness and BCB’s Low & No Ambassador, will deliver a keynote exploring one of the industry’s most influential movements. Drawing on her experience as a bartender, educator and advocate for mindful drinking, she will share her perspective on how Low & No continues to redefine flavour, creativity and guest experiences across modern hospitality.
The Embassy Stage
At the heart of the Education Programme, the Embassy Stage creates a space where conversations, learning and hospitality naturally come together. Rather than separating speakers from audiences, the concept encourages dialogue, exchange and participation in a more intimate setting.
The experience extends to the Embassy Bar, hosted by FOCO from Barcelona. Named after the term Foreign Correspondent , the award-winning neighborhood cocktail bar was inspired by the idea of creating a place where people from different backgrounds come together to exchange stories, ideas and experiences. Having become a hub for bartenders from around the world, FOCO is a natural fit for the Embassy concept, where education and hospitality meet.
Throughout BCB 2026, the FOCO team will present its own interpretations of No & Low cocktails, translating one of the industry’s most dynamic trends into a hands-on tasting experience for visitors.
