Avi Kopelman

Born in Staten Island, New York and raised in Marlboro, New Jersey, Avi Kopelman is a serial entrepreneur whose career spans craft brewing, nightlife, gaming, health and wellness, and beverage innovation across three major American cities.

After attending Quinnipiac College, Avi earned a B.A. in Business Management from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois and a Certificate of Brewing Science from the prestigious Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago — one of the world's foremost brewing education institutions.

He launched his career in the craft brewing industry across Boulder, Denver, and Breckenridge, Colorado before pivoting to hospitality — building and operating some of Chicago's most recognized venues over eight years. He then relocated to Las Vegas, where he spent 16 years catapulting his career through elite hospitality groups and simultaneously owning and operating his own venues.

Alongside his hospitality empire, Avi opened and consulted on multiple CPG brands specializing in functional ingredients for health and wellness, partnering with prestigious doctors in the field. His passion for beverage formulation, production, and go-to-market brand strategy continues to drive innovation across the industry.

In April 2023, Avi relocated to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he consulted on the pre-opening and launch of 7eight7 Nightclub in Santurce. Following that success, his consulting company KO Management and Consulting LLC was retained to open the rooftop bar at the historic La Mallorquina restaurant in Viejo San Juan for the 2023 SanSe Festival, and to assist Sushi by Bou in launching their first Puerto Rico property at The Fairmont El San Juan Hotel and Casino in Isla Verde.

Throughout his tenure in Puerto Rico, Avi became certified as an instructor and proctor for ServSafe through the National Restaurant Association. He continues to formulate and develop health and wellness beverage brands — including protein and electrolyte formulations and dairy-free and dairy RTD (ready-to-drink) products — while collaborating with multiple hospitality and beverage companies to further his vision for creative events, venues, and beverage experiences.