Amber Burton is the HR Director at Hudson North Cider in Newburgh, NY, bringing over eight years of experience in the cider industry. Throughout her career, Amber has developed expertise in talent management, organizational development, and employee engagement, helping teams thrive while supporting the growth of the cider business. Her unique blend of passion and drive makes her a driving force behind Hudson North’s mission to foster community, culture, and growth.

Bart Watson is President and CEO of the Brewers Association (BA). He started with the BA in 2013 and held the roles of Chief Economist and VP of Membership and Strategy prior to becoming CEO. Prior to his position with the BA, he was a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley and a visiting assistant professor at the University of Iowa. He holds a B.A. from Stanford University and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Ian McPherson is a hospitality professional at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, New York. With an education in ecology, Ian works to bring stories of regional agriculture to the dining room floor – hence cider. A Certified Pommelier™, Ian hopes to further the category in a fine dining context, showcasing a beverage that best tells the story of here.

Tom Heeman, the founder of Heeman’s Cellar, is a man who believes every quality cider begins with a quality apple. While he grew up as a third-generation berry grower in London, Ontario, Tom eventually added the cellar to the strawberry patch and apiary, launching a mission to bottle the true character of Ontario’s apple country. Tom’s philosophy is simple: the apple is the boss. He views the Orchard as the most critical of cellars’ “Three Pillars,” believing that the best cider isn’t made in the tank—it’s made on the branch, shaped by the sun, the soil, and the season. But Tom isn’t just looking forward; he’s obsessed with looking back. He spends his “spare” time digging through the dusty archives of the Ontario Fruit Growers, determined to rediscover the lost golden age of local fruit. This historical detective work birthed Heeman’s Heritage Offerings, a collection dedicated to resurrecting the ghosts of the orchard. Whether he’s tracking down century-old trees or pressing forgotten varieties like the Sweet Crab Apple, Snow, and Swayzie Pomme Gris, Tom is proving that the best way to innovate is to bring history back to life in the glass.

Ryan Monkman is an Ontario-based production consultant supporting cideries and wineries with fermentation planning, oak strategy, and cellar design. When he’s not working, he’s usually checking out tractors with his three kids. Otherwise, he’s on a bike, optimistically chasing speed he insists will show up any day now. Ryan brings a playful, hands-on approach to sharing ideas that makers can put into practice right away.

Zack Kaiser is the Head Cidermaker, Director of Marketing, and Co-Owner of Absolem Cider Company based in Winthrop, Maine. In love with the craft, art, and science of fermentation. This passion developed through experiences at Neshaminy Creek Brewing, Millstone Cellars, Diamondback Brewing, and Perennial Cider Bar. Currently searching for tasty apples, grapes, and fruits.

Dan Wilson is the owner/operator and cidermaker for Slyboro Cider House in Granville, New York. He has been making cider since the early 2000s, and they opened for sales in 2007. They are an orchard-based cidery that produces a range of styles, from dry and still to bottle-conditioned sparkling ciders to ice ciders and pommeau. Their ciders are positioned to live in the wine end of the cider market and they are focused primarily on retail and regional sales. Their farm, Hicks Orchard is New York’s oldest U-pick orchard, with direct sales dating back to 1905. Dan has also served as a past board member of both the ACA and the New York Cider Association.

Paul Swigger has over 15 years of hands-on expertise in a variety of facets of the beverage alcohol industry including consumer & wholesale sales, Direct-to-Consumer fulfillment, DTC technologies, and of course Alcohol Beverage Compliance. He is passionate about growing the Direct-to-Consumer marketplace for producers, and simplifying the often-complex process of selling alcohol nationwide. He lives on the Central Coast of California with his young family enjoying all things fermented, brewed or distilled.

Josh Sejat is the US Technical Specialist for Alkemista LLC: a 14 year-old Adult Beverage Development Agency that has recently expanded into the US. A production strategist with expertise in formulation, small pilot to large scale manufacturing, & regulatory compliance. Josh is currently developing a Liquid R&D Lab & Pilot Facility, bridging technical precision & quality with creative innovation. Known for his methodical approach & imaginative flair, Josh integrates liquid analysis & sensory profiling into both small & large commercial launches. At CiderCon 2026, he brings a unique perspective on creating & scaling craft beverages with scientific rigor & storytelling impact.

Asnāte Ziemele is the initiator and driving force behind the Baltic Cider brand. She is the president and founder (since 1993) of the Latvian Country Tourism Association (Baltic Country Holidays), a national organisation committed to developing sustainable rural tourism, including the promotion of local food and drink. The Baltic Cider brand now brings together authentic cidermakers from Latvia, Estonia and Finland. Asnāte’s extensive international work in the cider sector began with the creation of the Cider Route in Latvia, promoting genuine apple cider and visits to local cideries. Hosting the international NICA2023 in Riga sparked numerous international friendships within the cider community which have since grown into a series of successful project initiatives.