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INDUSTRY TALKS
Where the Soul
of Mezcal Speaks
Industry Talks brings together the maestras, producers, importers, and cultural keepers defining mezcal's global story — from the palenques of Oaxaca to the bars of Mexico City and beyond.
Not panels. Conversations — raw, honest, grounded in soil and glass. Complimentary for all Grand Tasting ticket holders. Capacity is intimate and intentional.
SPEAKER
Maestra Sosima Olivera Aguilar
Brand Owner / Mezcal Culture Keeper
OVERVIEW: 3:00PM - 4:00PM
Voices from the Palenque: Tradition, Knowledge, and the Future of Mezcal
In the remote communities of Oaxaca, the art of mezcal-making is not simply a craft — it is a living inheritance. Maestra Sosima Olivera Aguilar has dedicated her life to honoring the ancestral knowledge passed down through generations of her family, producing mezcal with the hands, the patience, and the reverence the agave demands.
In this conversation, she shares the realities of small-scale artisanal production: the challenges of preserving traditional methods in a rapidly changing market, the deep spiritual relationship between Zapotec communities and the maguey, and what it truly means to be a woman leading in this industry.
Her words carry the weight of the palenque and the wisdom of the land. Interpretation generously provided by Israel Bistrain of MezcalFestMX.
SPEAKER
SUSAN COSS
Co-Founder: Mezcalistas / Mexico in a Bottle
SPEAKER
Evan Meeker
Brand Ambassador: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
OVERVIEW: 4:30PM - 5:30PM
Artisanal Spirits are dead! Long live Artisanal Spirits!
The bar industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges unlike anything seen in recent memory. Alcohol consumption is declining at a steady rate, with younger generations leading the charge toward sober-curious and low-ABV lifestyles. Gen Z, in particular, is entering legal drinking age with fundamentally different social habits — favoring wellness, experiences, and digital connection over traditional bar culture. Meanwhile, rising operational costs, tighter margins, and increased competition from at-home drinking options are squeezing operators from every direction.
So how does an industry built on hospitality and human connection adapt and survive?
In this candid "real talk" session, we cut through the noise and examine the cultural, economic, and behavioral shifts driving this new reality. Then, we flip the script — bringing together innovative industry voices for a dynamic roundtable discussion on creative strategies to engage new spirits consumers, redefine the bar experience, and ultimately, change the narrative.
