BCB London reveals 2026 education board
Bar Convent London (BCB London) has unveiled its 2026 education board ahead of its return to Tobacco Dock in May, with a renewed focus on practical training, career development and category growth.
For the second instalment of BCB London, which will take place on 11-12 May, the international bar trade show has curated an educational programme that will be supported by a bartending area, low-and-no sessions, and the return of a popular live competition.
BCB London’s education programme for 2026 will be guided by an industry-led board, bringing together experience across bartending, training, operations and consultancy.
Elliot Ball, co-founder of The Cocktail Trading Co, HM’s, Filthy XIII, Murder Inc and Royal Cocktail Exchange, will lead the board as director and education. He brings experience across bartending, systems design and training, with a distinctive focus on the psychology of enjoyment, satisfaction and growth in hospitality.
He is joined by returning BCB London brand ambassador Jack Sotti, a multi-award-winning industry figure whose work spans venue development, global brands, and communications.
La’Mel Clarke and Maria Kontorravdis have also joined the board.
As an alumni of Ryan Chetiyawardana’s Lyan Group and former trainer for the Diageo Bar Academy, Clarke brings extensive experience in hospitality education, publishing and panel discussions.
Meanwhile Kontorravdis is a member of the management team at the Bauhaus-inspired A Bar With Shapes For A Name in east London, leading its education programme with a focus on flavour fundamentals, conceptual coherence, and creative development.
The board will work closely with the BCB London team to shape the seminar programme, covering practical skills, leadership, creativity, business development and long-term career progression.
Ball said: “BCB London gives us a rare opportunity to bring together people who are actively building, running and teaching in this industry. For 2026, we’re focusing on creating an education programme that’s practical, thoughtful and useful in the real world – whether you’re behind the bar, running a business or thinking about your next step.”
Also joining BCB London for 2026 is Camille Vidal.
Vidal is an expert in the low-and-no category, creator of ‘mindful cocktails’, and founder of La Maison Wellness. She will be joining as the show’s on-site ambassador for low- and no-alcohol on both days.
In the role, she will curate and shape a dedicated low-and-no education programme, featuring a selection of talks and panel sessions, and will also host and moderate key discussions across the show.
Vidal will also be assuming the same role for Bar Convent Berlin 2026.
Bartending and contests
BCB London 2026 will partner with the World Flair Association (WFA) to deliver a dedicated show bartending area.
With more than 20,000 members in over 100 countries, the WFA – the global association dedicated to the art of flair bartending – promotes standards in the profession and organises the global WFA World Tour competition series.
Across both days, visitors can expect live flair shows from world champion bartenders; drop-in training sessions based on the WFA grading syllabus; and practical demonstrations of core flair techniques.
Plus, this year’s show will see the return of the Pouring Contest, which will once again challenge bartenders to test their pour speed and accuracy.
Hosted by Kevin Armstrong and Daniel Waddy of Satan’s Whiskers, the competition will offer participants the chance to win a selection of prizes, including the first prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to Bar Convent Berlin taking place on 12-14 October 2026, plus £2,000 (US$2,700).
Early bird tickets for BCB London 2026 are now live and will be available until 19 March, with options available for both single and multi-day attendance.
Standard tickets are £30 (US$40.50) for one day, or £40 (US$54) for two.
Young Professional tickets for those aged 25 and under are priced at £27 (US$36.45) for one day or £34.50 (US$46.60) for two days, and will remain at this rate throughout the sales period.
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