The annual VIBE Conference has long been the top education program for on-premise beverage executives and their supplier partners. Each year, industry leaders gather to discuss key trends and developments for the months ahead.
This year, we’re excited to announce that Charlotte Voisey, Global Head of Brand Ambassador Advocacy for William Grant & Sons will be joining VIBE Conference as Emcee. We spoke with Voisey ahead of the event – happening this September 27 – 29, 2021 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, CA –to find out what she’s most excited about and how the last 15 months have shaped the beverage industry.
You’ve attended VIBE for a few years now, but this will be your first time as our Emcee – how’re you feeling about it?
I have attended VIBE for a few years, always with William Grant & Sons and always making drinks at the various evening events – it’s always a great way to network and keep in touch with people I won’t see otherwise. I have Emceed other events before and it always seems to be a balance of keeping the show rolling, giving people the information they need whilst keeping things fun and entertaining. It takes quite a bit of energy but is a very rewarding role which I love doing.
RELATED: Register for VIBE 2021 Now, and Attend the #1 Education Program for the Beverage Industry
In your opinion, what separates VIBE from other beverage conferences?
I think it is the reach across different parts of the industry, I definitely get to see people at VIBE that I would otherwise struggle to catch up with throughout the year.
What are some of the benefits of coming to VIBE as an attendee?
I think it is important for VIBE to keep up with, or even ahead of, the most important issues facing our industry and ultimately providing solutions to them, or space for us to come together and discuss them as an industry.
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Have you noticed consumer habits change much throughout COVID-19?
Business showed a clear shift to e-commerce and off-premise when the bars and restaurants were closed, unsurprisingly. While the on-premise has already bounced back strongly in most places, I think some changed habits are here to stay. Consumers seem much more interested in learning how to make cocktails at home which I think is a great thing. The more that cocktails and spirits are incorporated into home life, the better for our spirit brands.
What are your predictions for the year ahead, as the world starts to open more?
I am optimistic for the future! I hope we all bring a little more compassion back into our work and into the industry following all that we have been through collectively. I believe that outside spaces will continue to thrive all over the country including those that were the products of creativity in order to survive. I live in New York City and seeing the way that our bars here pivoted to serving hot drinks outside under blankets and heat lamps to happy consumers in single digit temperatures was truly something! I think that local ingredients and local suppliers will continue to be embraced, and I believe that cocktails to-go, bottled cocktails and high quality RTD products will continue to do well over the next few years. Lastly, I think that virtual events will continue alongside in person events as they allow us to connect to even more people in even more places.
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What are you looking forward to most at the conference this year?
Reconnecting with people I have not seen for more than a year. Hearing about, and learning from, the many varied experiences from all over the country since COVID-19 hit.
Which cocktail has been your go-to throughout the pandemic?
I have been drinking more mindfully throughout the pandemic, but a special occasion still calls for a French 75 which I have been enjoying recently with the new Hendrick’s Lunar Gin.
Find Charlotte at the 2021 VIBE Conference, taking place September 27 – 29, 2021 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, CA.
Keep checking barandrestaurant.com and vibeconference.com for show updates and all the latest news. Don't miss a moment of VIBE Conference, sign up for the exlusive newsletter today. We look forward to welcoming you to VIBE Conference 2021 this September 27 – 29th at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. Early Bird Registration is open now through August 2, 2021, register here.
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