Education Program
- keynote speaker
Diana Eberlein
Chief Communications Officer, Vertosa
Founder & Chair, Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA)
- Wednesday, March 3, 2027
- 8:30–9:30 AM
Keynote Session
- Wednesday, March 3 | 8:30–9:30 AM
Pouring the Future: Convenience and the 7th Glass, THC Beverages
- Vertosa, Diana Eberlein
If six glasses tell the history of the world according to author, Tom Standage, could the seventh help stabilize the future of the cold vault? Hemp-derived THC beverages face regulatory challenges, but are creating new opportunities for convenience retailers and their partners. In this session, we’ll unpack federal and state regulatory developments, market challenges, and the trends and opportunities shaping this emerging category. Discover how convenience can drive responsible retailing, consumer discovery, and the category’s long-term growth and success.
Keynote Speaker
About Diana
Diana Eberlein is Chief Communications Officer at Vertosa, a leading emulsion supplier for the cannabis beverage industry, and the Founder and Chair of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA), a federal coalition bridging the alcohol and hemp industries for sensible regulation of low-dose hemp-derived beverages. With 10 years in the cannabis industry, Eberlein is a recognized leader in the THC beverage space, driving advocacy, education, and regulatory engagement for one of the fastest-growing categories in consumer beverages.
A sought-after speaker and policy voice, Eberlein has presented at SXSW, Adweek NY, Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, BevNET Live, and the National Association of Convenience Stores Annual Conference twice. She has also directly advised legislators and regulators across the country on balanced policymaking for this emerging category working alongside organizations like the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, the Beverage Wholesalers for Responsible Regulation, and the National Association of Convenience Stores. Her influence in the space has earned her a place on Marijuana Venture’s “40 Under 40” (2023) and Benzinga’s “Top 20 Most Influential Women in Cannabis” (2024).