At this year’s New York Bar Show, held June 14-15, at the Jacob K. Javits Center, industry professionals from all along the east coast flocked to check out what new products and services are available to on-premise establishments. Over the course of the show exhibitors and attendees both were entertained and educated by industry insiders through a series of world class seminars and contests, including the Me Oko Vodka and ís Vodka (pronounced ‘ice’) Cocktail Competitions, the first annual New York Spirits Awards,
and appearances by celebrities such as “The Liquid Chef” Junior Merino, master mixologists Brian van Flandern and Charlotte Voisey, as well as Gary Regan, president of Ardent Spirits. Liquid Games hosted a beer pong tournament at their booth where winner Mike Russel, co-founder of Clientique Marketing Group, took home the grand prize – a light up Sink ‘n’ Drink pong table.
and appearances by celebrities such as “The Liquid Chef” Junior Merino, master mixologists Brian van Flandern and Charlotte Voisey, as well as Gary Regan, president of Ardent Spirits. Liquid Games hosted a beer pong tournament at their booth where winner Mike Russel, co-founder of Clientique Marketing Group, took home the grand prize – a light up Sink ‘n’ Drink pong table.Two full days of packed isles ensured that exhibitors were able to connect with potential clients, filling them in on some of the great new products out on the market. Smokeless tobacco products aiming to help bar and club owners adjust to changing smoking laws were a popular destination on the floor, and liquor portion control products meant to help keep track of pours to maximize profits were another big hit.
The Sunday Seminars, which were sponsored by Bar Business Magazine, covered a variety of issues relevant to the on-premise industry. Scott Wexler, Executive Director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association, held “The ABC’s of Liquor Control” which covered important aspects of running a responsible establishment – from amending a license to maintaining records, and preventing service to underage or intoxicated customers. Gary Regan, President of Ardent Spirits, discussed with attendees the importance of customer service behind the bar, while Brian Warrener, a professor at Johnson & Wales Hospitality College (and contributing editor to Bar Business Magazine), conducted an accredited TiPS certification program.
The first annual New York Spirits Awards garnered over 250 brand entrants, an impressive total for a first-time awards event. The judging panel was made up of industry members including bartenders, consultants, restaurateurs and retailers, as well as spirits buyers, and co-organizer Adam Levy stated that he could not have been more pleased with the turn-out. Panel leader Jack Robertiello, a writer, consultant and founder of Drinks Ink, was also impressed with the number and quality of spirits, which spanned the board in categories. In fact, Robertiello took the time to sit with Bar Business Magazine Assistant Editor, Alexis Jarossy, to cover the finer points of the blind tasting process which includes judging appearance, aromatics, flavor, “mouth feel”, and finish, to be judged on a 100 point scale.
On Monday, the United States Bartender’s Guild (USBG) held a panel which discussed some of the most influential cocktail trends, as well as the benefits of belonging to the USBG – the most notable being that the USBG is currently working on providing health benefits for its members that do not normally receive them from employers in the nightlife industry. The association also held a one-hour USBG Master’s Accreditation Test (for more information, click here). Later in the day, USBG treasurer, and founder of Creative Cocktail Consultants, Brian van Flandern educated bartenders and aspiring mixologists on the fundamentals of creating a unique cocktail.(Check out van Flandern in the upcoming July/Aug issue of Bar Business Magazine.)
Also on Monday, local law firm Avelino Nitkewicz, LCC held a seminar led by Larry Stoddard III, Esq., on the steps bar and nightclub owners can take to prepare for liability claims and lawsuits by setting up proper asset protection. Afterwards, Rob Greenawalt, CEO, MobiConcepts, LLC/TextBoom.com, held a course that focused on the importance of text messaging as a mass marketing tool that will help your bar or club cost-effectively promote events or turn slow-nights into money makers. (For more on the benefits of text messaging, check out the Sept/Oct 2008 and Mar/Apr 2009 issues of Bar Business Magazine).
The New York Bar Show was all-in-all a huge success for manufactures and suppliers of products and services, as well as industry professionals, bar and nightlife owners, operators and managers. For more on the event, make sure to check out the July/August issue of Bar Business Magazine, which will include editorial coverage as well as a special supplement, “The New York Bar Show Product Review”.
And a speical thanks to supporters of Bar Business Magazine — BeerTubes.com and CruzinCooler.com — who donated samples of their respective products for display in the Bar Business booth during the NY Bar Show. The beer tubes and the motorized cooler drew plenty of attention from show attendees who constantly stopped by the booth to ask, “Where can I get one of those!?”
Bar Business Magazine would like to extend a special thank you to the following companies for helping to make our booth one of the most popular at the New York Bar Show:
Ultimate Bars
Cruzin’ Cooler
BeerTubes.com
Ultimate Bars
Cruzin’ Cooler
BeerTubes.com
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