Presented by: Sara Sergent (Alpine Distilling), Alix Hoylman (J. Rieger & Co.), and David Weglarz (StilL 630 Distillery). Moderated by ACSA’s Director of Meetings and Events, Stephanie Sadri.
Your local Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) can be one of your strongest partners for attracting visitors, increasing tasting room traffic, and raising awareness of your distillery, but many distilleries aren’t taking full advantage of the resources available.
Join moderator Stephanie Sadri, ACSA’s Director of Meetings & Events, for a conversation with craft distillers who have successfully partnered with their local CVBs to grow their businesses. Together, they’ll share real-world experiences, practical strategies for building strong relationships with tourism organizations, and ideas for collaborating on events, marketing initiatives, and destination promotions.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen an existing relationship, you’ll leave with practical ideas and actionable tips to help your distillery become a must-visit destination in your community.
About the Presenters
Sara Sergent is the CEO and Master Botanical Distiller of Alpine Distilling in Park City, Utah. A James Beard Award semifinalist and Warden Rectifier of the London Gin Guild, Sara is recognized for her innovative approach to botanical distilling, sustainability, and culinary craftsmanship. Under her leadership, Alpine Distilling has earned national recognition for its award-winning spirits, immersive hospitality experiences, and commitment to advancing the craft spirits industry. Sara is passionate about sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and helping shape the future of American craft distilling.
Alix Hoylman is the Director of Private Events and Corporate Gifting at J. Rieger & Co. Distillery in Kansas City, where she has transformed private events into a significant driver of revenue and brand growth. She leads the strategy, sales, and execution of more than 500 events annually across eight event spaces, generating more than $2 million in annual event revenue through strategic pricing, optimized space utilization, and experience-driven sales. By leveraging private events to strengthen corporate partnerships, increase guest engagement, and create new revenue opportunities, Alix has helped position the distillery as a premier destination for corporate and social events. She is passionate about helping hospitality destinations view private events not simply as venue rentals, but as a powerful business strategy that drives profitability, brand awareness, and long-term customer loyalty.
David Weglarz is the founder & distiller of StilL 630 Distillery in St. Louis, where he lives with his wife, Sidni, their three young boys, and a big white dog named Charley. Driven by a passion for whiskey, gin, and rum, and sharing them with friends, David founded StilL 630 in 2011. Since then, it has become the most awarded distillery in Missouri and one of the top in the country. When he’s not at the distillery or attending his kids’ activities, David enjoys reading, hiking, and paddling on Missouri’s rivers.
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