Derek Brown
Keynote Speaker: Entrepreneur & Mindful Drinking Advocate; Founder of Positive Damage Inc.; Author of "Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters"; Award-Winning Bartender & Cocktail Expert
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Derek Brown Biography
Derek Brown is an American entrepreneur, author, NASM-certified wellness coach, and a prominent figure in the cocktail and mindful drinking industry. Brown has worked in the hospitality sector in Washington, D.C., for more than two decades, beginning his career as a bartender and eventually owning his own bar in the nation's capital. He developed expertise in wine and spirits, working as a sommelier and being recognized by Wine & Spirits Magazine as one of the top new sommeliers in America. Brown founded Columbia Room, a cocktail destination that received the Spirited Awards' title of "Best American Cocktail Bar," and was named "Bartender of the Year" by Imbibe Magazine.
Brown operated a trio of bars—Mockingbird Hill, Eat the Rich, and Southern Efficiency—which were included in Bon Appétit Magazine's list of the "50 Best New Restaurants in America." He also served as chief spirits advisor to the National Archives Foundation. Brown's writing on spirits and cocktails has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Vox, and other major publications. His work has received multiple James Beard Award nominations, and Playboy Magazine included him among "The 10 Entertainers, Thought Leaders and Heroes Who'll Save Us."
As an author, Brown has contributed to cocktail culture and the mindful drinking movement. He published "Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World," which explores the history and evolution of cocktails in America, and was named "Author of the Year" at the Nightclub & Bar Show Awards. His second book, "Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails," established his influence in the no- and low-alcohol beverage space. Drinks International named Brown to the Bar World 100, recognizing leaders driving positive change in the global bar industry.
Brown's focus on mindful drinking stems from personal experience. He defines mindful drinking as a self-led approach to consuming alcohol in alignment with personal goals and health. This perspective led him to meditation and therapy, shaping his approach to wellness and beverage culture. Brown is the founder of Positive Damage, Inc., a company dedicated to promoting mindful drinking and inclusive bar experiences with no- and low-alcohol options. He is also co-founder of Mindful Drinking Fest, host of The Mindful Drinking Podcast, and author of the NASM course on mindful drinking.
Brown has received recognition from Bon Appétit, The Business of Drinks Podcast, and has been inducted into the Sans Bar Non-Alcoholic Hall of Fame. He received the Industry Impact Award at the Bar & Restaurant Expo and was selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar. Brown has consulted on beverage programs nationwide, including for Hilton and Dōgon by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, where his non-alcoholic beverage list was recognized by VinePair. Through his writing, consulting, and advocacy, Brown continues to influence the beverage industry and the conversation around mindful drinking.
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Derek Brown Videos
How do I book Derek Brown to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Derek Brown for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Derek Brown, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Derek Brown or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Derek Brown for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Derek Brown, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Derek Brown are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Derek Brown, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Derek Brown speak about?
Derek Brown is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Hospitality, Author, Entertainment, Marketing, Social Media, Thought Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Business Leadership, Non-Fiction Authors and Celebrity Chef.
Where does Derek Brown travel from?
Derek Brown generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Derek Brown?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Derek Brown for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Derek Brown for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Derek Brown or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Derek Brown is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Hospitality, Author and Entertainment. The estimated speaking fee range to book Derek Brown for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Derek Brown generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are DLynn Proctor, Jim Meehan and Roy Choi. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Derek Brown for an upcoming event.
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Derek Brown Videos
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Derek Brown News
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So what's a cocktail, really? | Salon.com
Merriam Webster defines a cocktail as "a usually iced drink of wine or distilled liquor ... "The first and most important thing to know," says Derek Brown, ...
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How One of the Top Bar Stars Became a Champion For Not Drinking
In 2016, Brown started therapy, and in 2018, he was admitted to an outpatient program at Inova Behavioral Health Services in Fairfax. While treatment helped him ...
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A Conversation With Derek Brown, Bartender and 'Booze Nerd'
Derek Brown likes to call himself a "booze nerd"--an apt description, since it captures both his extreme detail-orientedness about the craft and history of cocktails and the irreverent sense of humor that enables him to refer to mixology as just booze. He is the James Beard Award-nominated drinks guru behind the Columbia Room, a Washington, D.C., cocktail lounge that is frequently listed as one of the best cocktail bars in America.
FAQS
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How do I book Derek Brown to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Derek Brown for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Derek Brown, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Derek Brown or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Derek Brown for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Derek Brown, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Derek Brown are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Derek Brown, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Derek Brown speak about?
Derek Brown is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Hospitality, Author, Entertainment, Marketing, Social Media, Thought Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Business Leadership, Non-Fiction Authors and Celebrity Chef. -
Where does Derek Brown travel from?
Derek Brown generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Derek Brown?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Derek Brown for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Derek Brown for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Derek Brown or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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