Attendees will begin the day with a keynote discussion on “Bar Nightmares,” with Mary Palac and a special guest. The talk will explore how to navigate the highs and lows of living your life in the hospitality industry. The afternoon will feature three rotating hands on breakout sessions—One Mash Bill to Rule Them All: A Bourbon Blending Experiment with Benny Hurwitz and JoAnn Street, Will it Spritz? with Olivia Cerio, and Orange You Glad You Came to This Class? With Xavier Herit. These immersive education sessions will deepen the students’ practical and theoretical skills while entertaining and inspiring their next brilliant cocktail idea.
Featuring:
Mary Palac, Mexican Spirits Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
Benny Hurwitz, American Whiskey Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
JoAnn Street, American Whiskey Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
Olivia Cerio, Italian Icons Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
Xavier Herit, Cognac Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
Full-Day Educational Workshop for pre-assigned Student Pass holders.
Location: Mildred Hall, 5138 NE 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211
Sponsored by: Campari Academy, Campari, Aperol, Wild Turkey, Wilderness Trail, Grand Marnier, Crodino
Mary Palac, Mexican Spirits Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
With over 20+ years of experience working in hospitality, Mary Palac is Campari Group's Mexican Spirits Portfolio Ambassador and offers industry knowledge that expands across the globe. Mary has received national recognition from the Spirited Awards as a Top 4 Finalist for the “American Bartender of the Year" honor, as well as being named a Top 10 nominee for "Best U S Brand Ambassador" in 2023 & 2024. She was also the first bartender to be commended by the city of San Jose for her contributions to the food and beverage community.
Born in the Philippines and raised in California, Mary grew up surrounded by both Filipino and Mexican culture, which helped build her connection to agave and Mexican spirits. Mary is also passionate about spirits education and building communities. She strives to seek out opportunities for others within the industry, especially women of color who are frequently overlooked or undervalued.
Due to her unwavering love for spirits and the industry a s a whole, Mary has visited distilleries and bar all over the world to continue expanding her expertise and knowledge. She is thrilled to be a Brand Ambassador of the Mexican Spirits Portfolio at Campari and is looking forward to what lies ahead.
Benny Hurwitz, American Whiskey Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
As a Brand Ambassador for Campari's American Whiskey Portfolio, Benny joins the illustrious ranks of the Russell family and the Founders of Wilderness Trail to help spread knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for these iconic spirits both on-and off-premise.
Prior to joining Campari, Benny Hurwitz served a s Head Bartender at Washington D.C. hotspot, the Jack Rose Dining Saloon, a high-end award-winning American bar. There, he
oversaw all bar programs and innovated the dynamic cocktail menu. Benny's creations for Jack Rose have been featured in Tasting Table, Chilled Magazine, DCist, VH1 and Wine &
Spirits, among others.
Hurwitz's inspiration behind the bar starts in his hometown of D.C. as he learned from some of the top bartenders in the city, working alongside Rachel Sergi, who took Hurwitz to open J a c k Rose in 2011. Hurwitz lends his vast bourbon expertise as Brand Ambassador for Campari's American Whiskey Portfolio, helping to fuel education of Wild Turkey, Russell's Reserve, Longbranch and Wilderness Trail. Benny lives in Los Angeles and when not preaching the gospel of bourbon, you can find him spending time with his wife Denise or brushing up on his skateboarding skills.
JoAnn Street, American Whiskey Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
As a brand ambassador and a proud member of the Russell family, Jo Ann is dedicated to enthusiasts and industry professionals on the Campari American whiskey portfolio. With a passion for storytelling, I like to bring the rich heritage and craftsmanship of these iconic brands to life, fostering a deeper appreciation for our Wild Turkey and
Wilderness Trail distilleries.
Originally from Nashville, TN, she made her way north to Kentucky for school. Shortly after college, JoAnn joined Wild Turkey in the visitor center, where she quickly worked her way up to becoming a brand ambassador. Her journey then took her to New York City, where she is one of the National Brand Ambassadors, sharing her deep passion for her brands. Driven by her love for storytelling, JoAnn was eager to take her knowledge on the road, bringing to life the rich legacy of her family's whiskey and the heritage of Kentucky bourbon. JoAnn now travels the country sharing her knowledge on Campari American Whiskey from Wild Turkey, Russell's Reserve, Longbranch and Wilderness Trail brands. She lives with her husband and dog in Brooklyn, NY. When JoAnn isn't talking whiskey, you will typically find her at a football game, in the park or surrounded by close friends.
Olivia Cerio, Italian Icons Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
With a background as an on-premise specialist for Campari and extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Olivia brings these iconic brands to life with authenticity and passion. Her journey in the hospitality industry, which started in restaurants in BOH, moving to front of house and eventually into a brewer and Brand Manager role for a New York Farm Brewery, reflects her deep-rooted love for the field. Olivia's affinity for brands with rich heritage and legacy drew her to Campari.
Her deep-rooted passion for plant life and botanicals, Italian culture, and the rich tradition of eating and drinking ingrained in her heritage informs her genuine dedication to her role as a Brand Ambassador. She approaches her responsibilities with a desire to educate and empower hospitality professionals. Olivia's goal is to ensure that those serving these brands not only feel knowledgeable but also deeply connected, fostering an authentic enthusiasm for the products they offer.
Central to Olivia's mission is Campari Group's commitment to encouraging individuals to embrace the Italian culture of savoring small moments of celebration. Through her efforts,
Olivia helps bring this to life, fostering a sense of camaraderie and appreciation for the joys of slowing down and enjoying life's simple pleasures.
Xavier Herit, Cognac Portfolio Ambassador, Campari America
Xavier taps into his experience behind the bars of Paris and New York to help bartenders and members of the spirits trade rediscover the legendary world of Grand Marnier in his role as Brand Ambassador. Growing up in Paris with roots in France's Bordeaux region, Xavier Herit started his career path with restaurant apprenticeships that included such mentors as chefs Daniel Boulud and Alain Ducasse. But Xavier found his real home and his voice behind the bar.
In New York, Xavier' s skills as a bartender were harnesses at Ala in Ducasse's much anticipated Mix in New York. Continuing his career at Daniel, he spent nearly seven years as head bartender and co-authored "Daniel Boulud Cocktails and Amuse Bouches for Him and Her."Xavier went on to continue to define cocktail trends at the Experimental Cocktail Club, his own bar Wallflower, and the innovative program at NoMo Soho Hotel.
Today, as Brand Ambassador for Grand Marnier, Xavier is reintroducing this luxury French Liqueur to a new generation of spirit and cocktail enthusiasts. Xavier crisscrosses the country to educate restaurant and bar teams. He is based in New York City.
Haley Perros, Wilderness Trail Brand Ambassador
As one of the first employees of Wilderness Trail Distillery, Haley Perros has played a pivotal role in building the brand from the ground up. A Danville native with a background in biology and communications, she has been instrumental in expanding Wilderness Trail’s national presence, shaping its identity, and educating both industry professionals and consumers on the science behind its bourbon.
Just as Wilderness Trail Distillery merges science with tradition, Haley bridges both through her expertise in fermentation, blending, and education. A trusted industry voice, she showcases the distillery’s innovative techniques while leading tastings, training distributors, and crafting immersive brand, she ensures Wilderness Trail’s commitment to science and quality shines through.
Through her strategic vision and dedication, Haley has helped establish Wilderness Trail as a leader in science-driven bourbon production. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Integrated Strategic Communications from the University of Kentucky, along with a degree in Biology and a Minor in Communications. Her passion for whiskey, education, and brand storytelling continues to drive the distillery’s growth and innovation.
When she’s not sharing her love of bourbon, you can find Haley out on a hiking trail or at a live concert, always seeking new experiences and inspiration.
