As we enter mid-summer, things are heating up in the hospitality industry. Here's a roundup of news from around the industry, including competitions, product releases, and more.
Tales of the Cocktail Announces Two Competitions
Continuing to evolve and shape a best-in-class global tequila platform for the on-trade community, PATRÓN Tequila has partnered with Tales of the Cocktail Foundation to organize the 2024 Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Perfectionists USA program and competition. Encouraging bartenders to strive for their own personal level of perfection, the bartending program will run its entry period between July 1st and September 30th, 2023, with a focus on the PATRÓN Silver Margarita cocktail in the USA. At Tales of the Cocktail 2023, a kick-off event will call the bar community to discover more about the program while enjoying cocktails served by previous global PATRÓN Perfectionists finalists at Selina Catahoula, New Orleans, on Monday July 24, 11am to 5pm. Entries can be submitted via the entry portal.
Bombay Sapphire and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation have teamed up to once again launch Most Imaginative Bartender, a competition that aims to inspire the bartending community to embrace their creative outlets and showcase what drives their inspiration behind the bar. Bartenders in the U.S. and Canada are invited to register for the competition between now and August 21st by visiting www.mostimaginativebartender.com. Applicants are asked to create a cocktail featuring either Bombay Sapphire or Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru as well as provide a photo, video, or written depiction of their creative outlet.
Gay Water Officially Launches
For many years, the term ‘gay water’ has been known within the queer community as a colloquialism for a vodka soda. As of today, the brand Gay Water officially launches to bring that phrase to the mainstream as one of the first alcoholic beverages founded and grounded in the LGBTQ+ community.
The company is the brainchild of Spencer Hoddeson, queer influencer and previous Head of Corporate Social for Yahoo. “There has been a distinct lack of LGBTQ+ representation in the alcohol industry, but Gay Water aims to change this,” says Spencer Hoddeson, Founder and CEO of Gay Water. “As a company, we are focused on creating positive change in the industry through our work with vendors and employees that share our values. We want to create a brand that sparks joy every time you see and taste it.”
With three simple ingredients, only 80 calories and 4% ABV, gluten-free and no sugar, Gay Water also aims to appeal to folks trying to make healthier lifestyle choices, but still want to enjoy alcohol. Gay Water will launch with four refreshing flavors: watermelon, lime, peach, and grapefruit with plans to expand to more product lines in the coming months.
USBG Executive Director Earns Prestigious Credential
United States Bartenders’ Guild today announces that Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith has earned the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives.
The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry and is held by a small percentage of executives of nearly 100,000 registered associations in the United States.
To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have experience with nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management. The CAE Program is accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
New Book on Nightlife
Everything Shane Neman needed to know about business he learned in the gritty, chaotic New York City nightclub scene.
In Nightlife Lessons: How I Conquered the Business of Partying with Tech and a Glimpse into Its Future, Neman takes you behind the velvet ropes so you can too. With sharp insight, humor, and gratitude, the three-time startup founder and venture capitalist shows in this unlikely business book how with tenacity and ambition, you can transform any industry.
Releasing on August 8, Nightlife Lessons is packed with perceptive lessons from his comeback, advice on how industry insiders still need to evolve, and predictions on how partiers will experience nightlife in the future.
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Plan to Attend or Participate in the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 18-20, 2024
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello (for companies A to G) e: [email protected] p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz (for companies H to Q) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh (for companies R to Z) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.