From Vision to Venture: The Next Wave of Beverage Leaders
About the Summit
The Drinks With Benefits Summit is a conference at the forefront of the alternative beverage movement, taking place in the heart of New York City at the preeminent alcohol free club, The Maze. Designed for founders, industry professionals, distributors, investors, and anyone curious about the rapidly evolving drinks category, this summit brings together the visionaries shaping what’s next. From entrepreneurship in beverage to the realities of raising capital, the program offers candid conversations and actionable insights from those building and scaling modern drinks brands.
Attendees will gain perspective on navigating funding, understanding distribution, and building sustainable growth strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape. The summit also shines a spotlight on the evolution of the wine occasion and being a female founder. Whether you're building a brand, distributing one, investing in the category, or simply passionate about the future of drinks, this summit offers insight and inspiration.
5 Expert Panels
Focused conversations on entrepreneurship, capital, brand building, wine evolution, and female founders
Award Winners Named
Opius Elixirs reveals the winner of the Zero Proof Cocktail Competition
An Intimate Setting
A curated gathering of founders, investors, and industry innovators with limited seating
Refreshments Served
Opius cocktails served at event's end with time to connect
Agenda
Registration & Welcome Coffee
Check in, grab a coffee, and connect with fellow attendees.
Entrepreneurship
In this conversation, the President of The Daily Pour sits down with former executives who walked away from corporate careers to launch in non-alc — in NA sparkling wine, spirits, elixirs, and hemp infused drinks. They'll unpack the moment they saw the shift coming and why they chose to bet on it. From navigating distributor skepticism and retailer education to raising capital in a still-emerging category, this is an honest look at the risks and operational realities behind building in non-alcoholic today and the first steps these brands took to build their foundation.
Raising Capital
Raising capital can be one of the most exhilarating, and humbling, parts of the entrepreneurial journey. In this candid fireside chat, we'll unpack what it really takes to secure funding in today's landscape. From crafting a compelling narrative and building investor relationships to navigating rejection and negotiating terms, this conversation goes beyond pitch decks and valuations. Whether you're preparing for your first raise or scaling toward your next round, this discussion will offer practical insights, honest reflections, and a clearer roadmap for funding your growth.
The Brass Tacks of Brand Building
Raising capital is just the beginning — how you deploy it determines whether you earn real distribution or lose it. In this candid conversation, we'll unpack the hard decisions founders face once the funds hit: how much goes to securing distribution versus driving pull-through, what to invest in merchandising to win at shelf, and how to balance trade spend, velocity, and burn. From programming budgets to retailer expectations to making sure placements actually move, this discussion gets into the unglamorous mechanics of turning capital into sustained distribution.
The Evolution of the Wine Occasion
This panel explores the rapid advancement in quality across NA wine, from improved de-alcoholization techniques to better base wines and terroir-driven expressions. What defines quality in NA wine? What are the benchmarks? Beyond NA wine, the conversation expands to other elevated options claiming space in the wine occasion — including sparkling teas and wine alternatives. Join leading producers, sommeliers, and category builders as they discuss innovation, regulation, standards, and the future of the alcohol-free wine experience.
Lunch & Networking
Sandwiches served alongside Opius cocktails. A chance to connect with speakers and fellow attendees.
Female Founders Experience
What does it really take to build and scale a brand as a female founder today? In this candid conversation, trailblazing entrepreneurs share the realities behind the highlight reel — navigating bias to build resilience. This panel dives into the lessons learned, risks taken, and pivots made along the way. Expect honest insights, tactical advice, and real talk on leadership, growth, and staying true to your vision in competitive industries.
Zero Proof Cocktail Competition Winner Announcement
In partnership with Opius Distillery, we present the Zero Proof Cocktail Competition (ZPCC), a bartending competition designed to showcase the essential talents and expertise needed to create world-class zero proof cocktails. This nationwide competition invites talent from across the NA space to push the boundaries of flavor, storytelling, and modern mixology. Finalists will come to New York City, where industry leaders, media, and fans gather to crown the next Cocktail Champion.
The Venue
The Maze
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010
