Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) is the drinks industry’s annual meeting place for exchanging new ideas, products, and techniques featuring in-person education, tastings, networking, and awards programming.

The conference will be returning to the historic The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans from July 20-25, 2025. Centered on the theme Evolve, TOTC will explore the cocktail industry’s ongoing transformation and development, highlighting evolution as a catalyst for innovation and a necessity for growth.

The IRC is proud to be part of the programming this year, look for us in the "Beyond the Bar" section of the second floor of the Ritz for both networking an an informative panel discussion.

Catch us at Tuesday’s networking nook From the Floor to the Frontlines: Where Industry Meets Advocacy, co-hosted by IRC members Ricky Gomez and Ivy Mix, at 1:30 pm in St. Charles.

• Whether you’re new to advocacy or are already pushing for change, come learn how bar and restaurant owners and their teams are mobilizing to impact everything from service charge reform to childcare access.
• Connect with others turning day-to-day challenges into collective action, ask questions, and meet like-minded peers who believe a stronger industry is a shared responsibility.

Attend Wednesday’s Policy Workshop: How a Few Bartenders Can Change the World, moderated by IRC Board Member Irene Li, at 10 am in Carondelet.

• Hear firsthand stories of navigating the policy process and how bartenders and restaurant owners are making their voices heard with lawmakers. 

To learn more, sign up for updates, and start booking, please visit their website.