Cassandra, also known as Cassie, grew up in the Bay Area with a family that loved food and wine. After college, she moved to Chicago and fell in love with the city's exciting restaurant scene. She met some influential wine experts there, which inspired her to become a certified sommelier at just 22 years old.

She started working at Girl & the Goat, where she began in the wine cellar and eventually became the Wine Director. She created an award-winning wine program and later took charge of the wine lists at four restaurants in the Boka Restaurant Group.

In 2021, Cassie joined Gibsons Restaurant Group as their Wine Director. Within a year, she was promoted to Corporate Beverage Director of Operations, overseeing beverage operations for over 14 properties across three states.

Cassie's approach to hospitality and education focuses on making food and wine easy to enjoy and understand. She brings values like Family, Hospitality, Quality, and Value into her work at Gibsons Group. In her free time, Cassie enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and going for runs with her dog.

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At the 2024 USA Trade Tasting in Chicago this May, we are thrilled to have Cassandra Sakai, also known as Cassie, as a speaker. Cassie will provide guests with insightful commentary and expertise based on her vast experience in the beverage sector. Our excitement is building for Cassie's appearance at USATT, where her distinct viewpoint and in-depth knowledge of the field will undoubtedly inspire and enlighten all attendees.

Here are some of the speakers who will be joining us at the 2024 USA Trade Tasting

Kaleigh Theriault, Director of Thought Leadership at NIQ Beverage and Alcohol Vertical

Julieta Campos, Beverage and Bar Operations Director at The Fifty/50 Group, Chicago

Ryan Crane, Strategy at Canopy Growth Corporation

Susan Danenberger, Winemaker/Owner at Danenberger Family Vineyards

Mark Guillaudeu, MS, Sommelier at Wrigley Mansion

Morgan Harris, Head Sommelier at Saison Hospitality

Arthur Hon, Beverage Director at the Modern-Union Square Hospitality Group

David Keck, MS, Master Sommelier and Owner at Stella14 Wines, VT

Ari Klafter, Head Distiller Thornton Distilling Company, and President Illinois Craft Distillers Association

Jon McDaniel, Founder at Second City Soil

Sid Patel, CEO and Founder of Beverage Trade Network

Daisy Penzo, Founder and CEO of Tuscany Wines Import

Wesley Phillips, Business Development Manager at Glunz Beer

Brian Rosen, Chairman of InvestBev

Mike Ryan, Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago

Caroline Schrader, Winemaker at City Winery Chicago

Kimberly Shannon, Beer, Wine and Liquor Specialist at Giant Eagle, Inc

Rachel Speckan, Portfolio Manager at Maverick Wine Co

Abraham Vucekovich, Beverage Director at Meadowlark Hospitality

Christopher Bauer, Vice President, National Sales at Wein Bauer

Raj Sabharwal, Founding Partner at Glass Revolution Imports