The American Craft Spirits Association has retained Colangelo & Partners as its official event management partner for the 14th Annual ACSA Convention & Expo, scheduled for February 17–18, 2027, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The move brings dedicated logistical and exhibitor-services support to ACSA's largest annual gathering of craft spirits producers, suppliers, and trade professionals.
The Partnership
Colangelo & Partners, widely regarded as the leading fine wine and spirits integrated communications agency in the U.S., will work alongside ACSA staff to handle event logistics, exhibitor coordination, and sponsor relations. The agency's existing footprint in beverage alcohol — spanning public relations, digital campaigns, and trade programs — was a key factor in the selection. ACSA CEO Emily Pennington said the arrangement frees her team to focus on member services rather than event operations. "They bring a deep understanding of the beverage alcohol industry to event management that lets our staff concentrate on what we do best: serving our members," Pennington said.
For Colangelo & Partners, the engagement extends an existing relationship with the craft spirits community. Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon, Chief Operating Officer and Partner at the agency, framed the convention role as a natural complement to the firm's communications work. "Whether through integrated public relations, digital campaigns, or comprehensive event management, our goal is to provide producers with the strategic foundation and visibility they need to thrive," Gonzalez-Gordon said.
What Operators Can Expect
Programming at McCormick Place will include more than 30 hours of education, a redesigned exhibit hall intended to improve buyer-supplier connectivity, and structured networking sessions. The agenda also features ACSA's annual awards ceremony recognizing craft distillers and a Grand Tasting where attendees can sample competition medalists and other new releases — a high-value sourcing and benchmarking opportunity for on-premise buyers and spirits program directors.
The 2027 event arrives as the craft spirits segment navigates a more cautious consumer spending environment and increased competition on shelf and on-premise menus. Organizers say programming will emphasize candid industry discussions and practical strategies rather than aspirational content — a tone shift that reflects the pragmatic posture many independent distillers have adopted heading into the year. For foodservice operators building or refining spirits programs, the convention represents a concentrated access point to emerging and established craft producers outside the traditional distributor channel.
Registration, exhibitor, and sponsorship details are available at americancraftspirits.org/attend. For operators tracking broader beverage alcohol trends in on-premise settings, see our coverage of craft beverage program development and spirits trends shaping bar menus.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
