SommCon San Diego 2026
Speaker Application Portal
Submissions Due: April 10, 2026
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Important Application Information - Please Read
SommCon San Diego 2026 takes place November 3-5, 2026 at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Presenters must be able to be present for the live event in order for submissions to be accepted.
Bookmark this page — you’ll manage submissions, see reviewer notes, and track status here.
Submission must include:
- Session title + description (agenda-ready copy)
- Track + format + length
- 3 learning objectives + 3 takeaways
- Target audience level (Intro / Intermediate / Advanced)
- Moderator/speaker bios
- If tasting/demonstration: proposed product list + total SKUs (per limits)
Education-first standard: Sessions must teach. Sales pitches and brand decks are not accepted.
Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis through the deadline.
You can log in at any time to review the status. If you have questions about the status of your submission, please reach out to info@sommconusa.com for support.
Education Tracks
Regional Deep Dives and Terroir:
Classic + emerging regions, varietal rebrands, terroir storytelling for on-prem
Great formats: guided tasting, panel, masterclass
Sensory and Advanced Tasting Mastery:
Calibration, blind tasting frameworks, faults, structure, spirits sensory, service tasting mechanics
Great formats: workshop, skills lab, guided tasting
Spirits, Cocktails and Beverage Trends:
Agave, whiskey, brandy, RTD trends, low/no, menu engineering for bars
Great formats: demo + tasting, panel, workshop
Beverage Program Operations and Profitability:
Costing, inventory, pricing strategy, supplier negotiations, menu design, waste reduction
Great formats:workshop, case study, roundtable
Sales, Distribution and Market Access:
On-prem placement strategy, three-tier realities, DTC shifts, portfolio strategy, buyer behavior
Great formats: panel, fireside, case study
Marketing, Community and Reaching Next-Gen Audiences:
Gen Z dining/drinking behaviors, creator economy, events-as-marketing, brand storytelling that isn’t cringe
Great formats: panel, workshop, case study
Leadership, Culture and Career Growth:
Hiring/training, retention, mentorship, leadership under pressure, career pathing
Great formats: fireside, workshop, roundtable
Sustainability, Climate and the Future of Beverage:
Climate impacts, regenerative, packaging, water, ethical sourcing—with practical operator implications
Great formats: panel, case study, guided tasting
Priority Content Areas
Skills: calibration, blind tasting, faults, palate training, spirits tasting frameworks
Business: pricing/costing, inventory systems, beverage program KPIs, profitability
People: training systems, retention, leadership, career strategy, mentorship
Market: premiumization vs value, consumer behavior shifts, distribution realities
Marketing: storytelling, creators, community building, younger audiences (without gimmicks)
Future: sustainability/climate with operator takeaways, packaging, and ethical sourcing
Trends: category trends (agave, RTD, low/no), new regions, style shifts
Tasting Session Info
Session Length & Max Number of Featured Skus
30 Min Session - Single SKU per Session
60 Min Session - 4-5 SKUs per Session
90-120 Min Session (Lunch Tasting Only) - 6-8 SKUs per Session