Spirits? Lifted.

The new International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event was the first forum focusing exclusively on restaurant and hospitality operator beverage alcohol sales.

by C&RB Staff (editor@clubandresortbusiness.com)
May 2008
 

The new International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event at the National Restaurant Association Hotel/Motel show was the first forum focusing exclusively on restaurant and hospitality operator beverage alcohol sales.

The event proved to be a highly qualified and controlled, business-to-business showcase for the products and information operators need to maximize growth and profitability, explains William C. Anton, foodservice management professional, convention chairman for the 2008 Show and chairman and founder of Anton Airfood Inc. "Beverage alcohol represents a major profit center for many restaurant and hospitality operators. Consequently, those operators asked the National Restaurant Association to create a controlled, professional, yet exciting forum where they could interact directly with beverage alcohol producers and importers." he says. In addition to the interactive demonstrations and relationship-building opportunities, IWSB also featured a number education sessions created to help operators sharpen their bar program's competitive edge.

The event included a higher registration fee than the traditional NRA Show, and was open only to beverage buyers and key beverage decision makers.

In addition to an impressive line-up of both established and emerging wine, spirits and beer brands from around the world, IWSB showcased highly focused education sessions featuring leading industry experts sharing insights and strategies on how to grow profits based on the latest food-alcohol pairings ideas, beverage alcohol trends, merchandising, distributor relationships and responsible alcohol service.

The event came on the heels of  a NRA research study that shows alcoholic beverages are a hot trend in 2008. A "What's Hot & What's Not" survey of more than 1,200 chefs rank craft beer, energy drink cocktails, martinis, mojitos, artisan liquors, organic wine and specialty beer in the top 20 trends. Signature cocktails, deglazing/reductions/sauces, food-beer pairings, beer sommeliers, food-wine pairings and wine sommeliers are also among the hottest culinary trends, further indicating opportunities for operators.