Sponsored by

Presented by Eve Bergeron and Beachbum Berry

Eve Bergeron and Beachbum Berry take you on a jaw-dropping journey of Tiki titan, Trader Vic! With never-before-seen photos and previously untold tales of his early years, including unlocking tropical drink secrets in Cuba, Jamaica, and Trinidad, and his glory years — inventing the Mai Tai and Scorpion while forging an empire of 25 restaurants. His legacy has been kept alive through the cocktail Dark Ages and into today’s Tiki revival by the dedication of his family and his fans.

One of Imbibe magazine’s “25 Most Influential Cocktail Personalities of the Past Century,” Jeff “Beachbum” Berry is the author of seven books about vintage tropical drinks and the owner of Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29, a New Orleans restaurant which has won worldwide critical acclaim. The New York Times cites him as “the Indiana Jones of Tiki drinks” and The Los Angeles Times as “a hybrid of street-smart gumshoe, anthropologist and mixologist.”

https://beachbumberry.com

Presented by George Geary

A&W Root Beer. Foster’s Freeze. IHOP. Der Wienerschnitzel. See’s Candy. Jack in the Box. You name the American food icon, and chances are its roots are in California. Food historian and chef George Geary tells the remarkable stories of the early 20th-century food startups that captured America’s hearts and stomachs, from burger joints, diners, fast food and restaurants.

George Geary is the author of 16 books covering food history and cookbooks. He is known as the creator of the cheesecakes on the iconic award-winning show, The Golden Girls. He is the former award-winning pastry chef for the Walt Disney Company, and last December, celebrated 30 years on morning TV news programs, from San Diego to Chicago to Florida. When not working, George enjoys tropical drinks (and cheesecake!) in his historical home in Palm Springs.

Presented by Rincon Ron Ferrell

Take a deep dive into the rise and fall of a once-majestic Polynesian restaurant — The Trade Winds Polynesian Restaurant in Ventura County, California. With its soaring A-frame entrance, lake with a full-size Chinese junk, and over 50 carved Tikis scattered across 10,000 square feet, the Trade Winds had connections to Oceanic Arts, movie studio set designers, and Sawyer architects — designers of many well-known Tiki bars, including the Luau, Don the Beachcomber, the Lanai, and the South Seas.

Rincon Ron Ferrell is a collector, traveler, and educator. He has been a writer for Tiki Magazine, a partner and pot still installer for Sespe Creek Distillery in Oxnard, a project manager for House Of Bamboo Tiki Lounge in Camarillo, and was a builder of The Rincon Room and Drifters Reef.

@therinconroom

Presented by Justin Peterson, Tom Allsmiller, Marie King

Curious about the remodel of the legendary Mai-Kai Restaurant? Want to know more about how Don the Beachcomber is being re-envisioned as a contemporary but classic version of “the greatest Tiki bar on earth”? Join Justin Peterson and Tom Allsmiller, Creative Directors of Don the Beachcomber and the Mai-Kai Restaurant, for an inside look at the art, design, and creative process of building these legendary Tiki bars. Enjoy samples of Don the Beachcomber and Mai-Kai libations created by Don the Beachcomber Beverage Director, Marie King.

Justin Peterson & Tom Allsmiller are the Creative Directors of Florida’s famous Mai Kai Restaurant and of the first new Don the Beachcomber location, now open in Madeira Beach. Marie King is the Beverage Director of Don the Beachcomber and the former beverage director for Tonga Hut.

Sponsored by

Presented by Chuntikis

Be inspired by desert life and culture with Julio "Jules" Gutierrez, AKA Chuntikis. Chuntikis will share his knowledge of spirits from the desert, including agaves, bacanora, sotol, and more. He will discuss the unique tastes of desert spirits and share tips about how to use them in delicious tropical cocktails. As a first generation Mexican-American with roots descending from the Sonoran Desert, this taste adventure will include suggestions of desert locations to visit where you can find your own Tiki oasis.

Julio “Jules” Gutierrez is a first-generation son of immigrants from Sonora, Mexico. For the past 13 years, Gutierrez has been in the adult beverage industry. He created Chuntikis, a cocktail pop-up, as a response to a lack of Latino representation in the beverage industry. At its heart, Chuntikis is about telling stories and giving representation to the Latino community. Using tropical cocktails as a base, Gutierrez carefully layers flavors that play a role in telling the story of some aspect of Latino culture.

Sponsored by

Presented by Eric Jost

Step aboard the S.S. Tonga as we dive headfirst into the mesmerizing history of the world-famous Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar! Since 1945, this themed restaurant and bar has been a go-to destination for San Francisco locals and visitors alike. Get ready to unravel the secrets behind the transformation of the Fairmont Hotel’s pool into the ultimate hub for an ocean liner-themed bar, evolving gradually into the beloved tropical paradise we know and adore today. Discover how the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar defied extinction in the early-2000’s, emerging even more popular than ever before.

Eric Jost isn't your average urban anthropologist and walking tour guide – he's the spirited time-traveler of San Francisco's vibrant past! With a penchant for unraveling the city's secrets, he's the brain behind the tours “SOMA Origins: Bars, Bathhouses, & Beyond,” and “Pagan Bay: SF’s Role in the Rise, Fall, & Resurgence of American Tiki Culture.” When he's not leading excursions through the city's historical nooks, you'll catch him sipping cocktails at Trader Sam's or chasing the tropical island vibes for that extra dose of inspiration.

Presented by Tiki Lindy

Moderated by Tiki Lindy this panel discussion includes the most influential Women in Tiki today. Gathering pioneers in history, mixology, Tiki events, and entrepreneurs in a vibrant seminar celebrating their impact the Tiki culture we know today. Each panelist will shares insights into their groundbreaking contributions, from crafting innovative libations to organizing unforgettable events and establishing successful ventures. Engaging in dynamic discussions, they delve into the fusion of tradition and innovation, shedding light on their journey, challenges, and triumphs in shaping the Tiki landscape. With expertise, passion, and creativity, these trailblazing women inspire and empower others to carve their paths in the ever-evolving world of mixology and tropical indulgence. Featuring Eve Bergeron (Trader Vic's), Baby Doe (Tiki Oasis), Shannon Musipher (Author), Marie King (Beverage Director Don the Beachcomber)

Presented by Christopher Crump & Chris Nichols

Rolly Crump (1930-2023) is a Disney Legend — he even had his own window on Main Street, USA! But many people do not know that he was also a prolific artist beyond his Disney work. His son Christopher Crump and special guest, Chris Nichols (Los Angeles Magazine) will present highlights of Rolly’s distinguished career and provide those in attendance with some of the Rolly Magic. The book The Great Crump Presents His Magic will be available for purchase.

Chris Crump retired from Walt Disney Imagineering in 2016 after contributing to projects worldwide for over 28 years. As a production designer and field art director, Chris completed The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure in 2011 at Disney California Adventure. He and his team received the 2002 Thea Award for Best New Theme Park: Tokyo DisneySea. Chris began his career working alongside his father, the legendary Imagineer, Rolly Crump. FACEBOOK

Chris Nichols is a preservationist and senior editor at Los Angeles magazine. He formerly worked with the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee. In addition to creating tours, exhibitions, and lectures about historic Los Angeles, Nichols has advocated for endangered buildings all over Southern California. His books include Walt Disney’s Disneyland for Taschen and The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister. He writes the Ask Chris column in Los Angeles magazine and has served on the board of Hollywood Heritage.