BCB Education Board founded to boost expertise even further
Continuing education is one of the many aspects at BCB that is writ large. Every year, top-class speakers from all over the world come together at the industry meeting of the bar community in Berlin to hold lectures and swop ideas with colleagues from the industry. The diversity of the scene as well as the visitors to BCB is growing – and this should also be reflected in the supporting programme. To this end, an Education Board is now being founded, which, in addition to Director of Education Angus Winchester, includes the two experts Eleni Nikoloulia and Damien Guichard.
Last year's BCB finally brought the industry together again, and this October sees the real reboot kick off. To reflect this, the BCB Education Board has been founded thereby widening the network of the international bar industry even further. The task of Education Board members is to bring the best international experts on the bar scene as speakers to Bar Convent Berlin and to ensure a varied and exciting supporting programme.
Amongst them: Eleni Nikoloulia. The native Greek is very well connected on the scene already with a great deal of experience in event organisation under her belt. Also on the "starting line" – and certainly not an unknown face for Bar Convent connoisseurs: Damien Guichard. This French bartender has been a brand ambassador for BCB since 2020 and actively helps with the planning of the event and implementation of innovative event formats with his expertise, creativity and numerous contacts.
The new face in the BCB team: Eleni Nikoloulia
After studying political science, Eleni Nikoloulia already developed a great passion for the bar industry. Today, she is a partner of Difford's Guide Greece & Cyprus and co-founder of the non-profit organisation "Metron Ariston: Making Responsibility a Trend".
She also brings with her a wealth of experience in event planning. She has been involved as co-organiser of the Athens Rum and Whisky Festival, the Cyprus Cocktail Festival and the Athens Cocktail Festival. She is also co-organizer of the Aegean Cocktails and Spirits project, which promotes Greek spirits.
Eleni Nikoloulia is highly motivated and looking forward to the collaboration: "Bar Convent Berlin has always been one of the foundations of the global bar and cocktail scene. 2022 is the year of new beginnings and the rebirth of new ideas and fresh opinions in the spirits industry – so I'm very excited and honoured to be part of the Education Board at BCB."
Damien Guichard ready for new role
For two years now, Guichard – a Frenchman living in Berlin – has been the Bar Convention's Brand Ambassador. With his witty and relaxed manner, he is also well received by the community and active on the BCB's social media platforms and website with various feature formats.
The creative head also actively supports the planning of the event and his contacts on the scene are worth their weight in gold. Last year, for example, Guichard convinced Rémy Savage to close his popular "bar without a name" in London for a few days and come to Berlin with his entire team to mix creative drinks in a very special atmosphere at the BCB Bauhaus Pop-Up Bar.
Now, Guichard will also be involved in the Education Board this year: "I'm very much looking forward to the new task and am sure that we, together with Eleni and Angus, will form the perfect trio to once again bring the crème de la crème of the international bar scene to the stages of BCB this October. Especially due to our different roots and places of residence, we are already very well networked internationally – and we'll use this advantage."
Angus Winchester remains Director of Education
Angus Winchester, who will continue to lead BCB as Director of Education, is excited about founding the BCB Education Board: "We're always looking to improve our capabilities and reach in the education sector. By working with Eleni and Damien, we can now draw on an even larger pool of experts."
The BCB team has been working very closely with this bar pro for five years now. A BCB without Angus Winchester? – Pretty inconceivable! Off his own bat he has curated the supporting programme for the last four years, drawing on his broad international network of top-class bartenders.
Winchester himself travelled the world for over 15 years teaching people the skills of modern professional bartending and helping owners and managers build a sustainable business and culture. He has now returned to the UK to work at the award-winning Dark Horse Bar in Bath.
Extensive framework programme planned for 2022
The planning of this year's BCB lecture programme is already in full swing. This year will see a total of five stages where visitors can listen to exciting talks and attend instructive workshops over three days.
In addition to the large Main Stage, where 15 talks are currently planned, there will be two Liquid Stages and a Taste Forum. The Taste Forum focuses on different categories of spirits. Here, for instance, brands can present their products in detail. The Liquid Stages will again offer interactive lectures and exciting workshops and invite visitors to mingle. Topics such as sustainability, food pairing, aperitivo and low & no will play a major role.
On top of that, this year sees BCB once again working together with Park Street, which will also bring speakers to BCB on its own stage, the "Park Street University". The focus here is on the business of different beverage brands.
Anticipation for October grows
"We're very happy and grateful to have so much expertise on board with Angus, Eleni and Damien. Our visitors this year can definitely look forward to a varied programme with top speakers from the international bar world," enthuses Petra Lassahn, Event Director at BCB. This year, Bar Convent Berlin will be held from 10 to 12 October in the halls of Berlin Exhibition Centre.
Interested in being part of this year's supporting programme at BCB and in sharing your expertise with the community? - Click here for the application form!
About the BCB
The BCB is one of the leading international trade shows for the bar and beverage industry. Every year, this is where a veritable who’s who of the German and European bar and beverage industry gets together to make new contacts, find out about the latest product innovations and attend educational seminars.
About RX
RX strives to create business opportunities for individuals, communities and organisations. With its combination of data and digital products, RX increases the appeal of 400 events in 22 countries and 43 sectors. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytical and decision-making tools for professional and business clients. www.rxglobal.com
