IMI Testimonials
“I have thoroughly enjoyed our partnership with IMI. Together we have built an industry-leading beverage program that continues to elevate our brands and drive outsized performance for our company. On behalf of Marriott, we thank IMI for the strong partnership and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Matthew Von Ertfelda, Senior Vice President, Food and Beverage, Global Operations, Marriott International
“Our best-in-class beverage program at Marriott International continues to thrive with IMI’s expertise in building and nurturing a strong beverage business. Their ability to create dynamic and authentic relationships with our partners is unparalleled and we look forward to our continued partnership with IMI.”
Angela Kuzma, Vice President Restaurant + Bars, Global Operations, Marriott International
“IMI has been an invaluable partner to my business career over the last 25 years. As we all move in 40 different directions, IMI keeps the line straight and helps attain programming and resources for a huge variety of tasks and solutions. I have asked them for help with something as simple as directions to their office in Atlanta (and they didn’t bill me!) to pulling together successful events that have never been executed before in the world. The answer is always “Yes” and they are able to take burdensome roadblocks out of your way so you can complete whatever mission it is you have. Like any business that has lasted for 30 years, it all starts with the incredible people born from hospitality. Don, Helen, Larry, Patrick, Celeste, Amanda, Adam, Mike and many more, all sincerely care about their clients and will fight for them, but more importantly will celebrate like family with them on all of our successes. They are the pinnacle in their business channel. I raise a toast and am looking forward to the next 30 years.”
Tylor Field III, Divisional Vice President of Wine and Spirits, Landry’s, Inc.
“It has been my pleasure to work with IMI over the past three+ years. Their approach to supporting large national accounts like Landry’s is second to none. IMI’s ability to thrive in many areas including driving sales and guest traffic into our restaurants, collateral creation, ideology, training and responsiveness, has been extremely helpful and refreshing when working with an agency.”
Brian Webb, Corporate Beverage Divisional Vice President, Landry’s Inc.
“I have had the pleasure of working with the team at IMI for over 25 years. Their professionalism and the support they show to both their client base as well as the vendors is second to none. The IMI team is always there to help, provide direction and they strive to ‘Build Better Beverage Business’ for their clients. Thank you, IMI and congratulations for 30 great years! Wishing you continued success well into the future!”
Joe Smith, Senior Vice President Sales, Monin Gourmet Flavorings
“In my time in the industry, IMI is and has become so much more than a marketing agency to me. They’re supportive friends, innovative partners and dependable family. Larry, Don, and the whole team are in constant service and play a vital role in the development of the on-premise industry. I’m proud to call them friends and partners, and look forward to the next chapter together. Congratulations on 30 years of service and friendship.”
Troy Conklin, Vice President, National Accounts On Premise, Winebow Imports
“My relationship with IMI goes back to the early ‘90s when I was at Robert Mondavi in Tampa. I subsequently moved to Atlanta, settling into a Vinings condo complex near a young lady with blond hair and an amazing personality. Her name was Helen Benefield. Helen kept asking me if I knew any good men so I introduced her to Don Billings — can you imagine? It was love at first sight for the two of them, and the rest is history. I had first become associated with IMI through the Marriott Gold Standard program, which was the benchmark of all hotel beverage programs, thanks to Rob Gillette (who is still with Marriott and now the GM of the Renaissance in Austin, Texas). It has been a decades-long friendship with IMI, including highlights like the wedding of Adam and his wife Brittany. I would also like to give a special thanks to Celeste Dinos for her help along the way. I find that IMI is a trustworthy, admirable company that represents the industry with integrity and class. Thank you, IMI, for all you have done for me over the 30 years.”
Jamie M. Conahan, National Accounts Manager U.S. and Partner, Folio Fine Wine Partners
“IMI has been a great partner with Cooper’s Hawk for several years. IMI and their resources have been instrumental in Cooper’s Hawk’s growth with our beverage program. We look forward to many more years with IMI as a key partner. Congratulations on 30 years!”
Bob Fitzgerald, Director of Purchasing, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
“IMI is innovative and collaborative with their business partners to deliver results. Heineken USA values the dynamic partnership we have established with IMI and their clients. We thank you for all your support and the results you continually deliver. Cheers to another 30 years!”
Julia Vaninger, National Sales Director, Resorts, Casinos & Emerging Business, Heineken USA
“I have worked with the IMI Agency since it was in the basement of Don Billings’ home and they only had three employees. I have seen remarkable growth in the agency and in their team over the years. They have become a full service beverage agency with so many great resources, allowing them to stay ahead of the curve in this ever-changing industry. They have also been able to hire some amazingly talented people as well. They do a great job of understanding the customer’s business and offering support wherever needed. Happy 30th Anniversary!”
Donna Frederick, Senior National Account Manager On Premise, Beam Suntory
“IMI has always been the standard of professionalism in our channel. IMI’s leadership and entire team are always 100 percent dedicated to driving mutual success and driving ‘Better Beverage Business’. Heartfelt congratulations to IMI on achieving such an important milestone, and cheers to the next 30 years!”
Mark Gmur, CWE, CEO & Senior Vice President of Sales, The Mark Wine Group
“Working with IMI makes our beverage program and partnerships possible and very approachable. The support we receive through IMI is tremendous — personalized focus and always quick to turn around request market analytics and more.”
Mark Weiss, Senior Vice President Food and Beverage, Loews Hotels
“I have worked closely with IMI for 20 years. From the beginning I have trusted and enjoyed the partnership offered and created by their leadership team, as well as their ever-expanding group of professionals with whom I work practically every day. I want to thank them for changing their name to all caps seven years ago — having to constantly override my autocorrect feature from ‘IMI’ to ‘iMi’ was a mighty, seemingly daily chore.”
Robert Bickford, Director of National Accounts On Premise, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions
“IMI has been a valued partner and a vital part of our business for numerous years. Larry, Patrick and Brandon continue to raise the bar for professionalism, and are the epitome of what a good relationship looks like.”
Brent Berkowitz, Chief Operating Officer, Sage Restaurant Group
“For the past six years, I have been honored to work with the IMI team on multiple projects and events. From RFP collaboration and cocktail development, to helping manage our Macallan events at Aspen Food & Wine the past two years, we at Edrington couldn’t be more impressed with the outstanding customer service, attention to detail, rapid response and professionalism from the entire IMI team. Their B4 Summit is one of the best conferences in the industry and shows their leadership and commitment to their customer, supplier and distributor partners. Their long-standing and enthusiastic support of CORE puts them at the top of giving back to our industry and those in need. We are privileged to work with IMI and wish them another successful 30 years!”
Catherine Stanton Schiff, Director, National Accounts On Premise, Edrington
“Our experience working with IMI has been unfalteringly positive. Their level of professionalism, knowledge and understanding is industry leading and it’s very obvious that they genuinely care about their clients.”
Kieron Elliott, National Accounts Manager, Edrington
“I have been lucky to work with IMI since day one. Other than becoming lifelong friends, they have continued to grow to become one of the most creative and innovative agencies around.”
Jeff Bartfield, Vice President National Accounts, Proximo Spirits
“Congratulations to the IMI team on a wonderful 30 years. Thank you for our partnership together and we look forward to many years to come.”
Grazie Mille, Santa Margherita USA
“Congrats to an amazing 30 years, IMI! It has been a wonderful ride and a genuine pleasure working with the IMI team building beverage programs that drive sales, awareness and most importantly, loyal consumers! Looking forward to what IMI comes up with next!”
Eric Lake, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
“We raise our glass to toast IMI as they approach a milestone 30-year corporate anniversary and reflect on their steady course to pursue ‘Building a Better Beverage Business’ as the cornerstone for their organization. Over the years, they have brought companies and people together in lasting, rewarding relationships. We thank them for their partnership, professionalism, creativity and their role in moving our business forward. IMI, take pride in the accomplishments behind you and continue to elevate our future. Cheers!”
Sonia Winters, Jackson Family Wines
“IMI has been instrumental in assisting Q Mixers with the explosive growth and brand awareness in the national on-premise sector. It has been our pleasure and privilege to work with such an innovative group of individuals who are meticulous, always looking forward, extremely strategic, but more importantly loyal and fair to both suppliers and operators.”
The Q Mixer team
“IMI has defined professionalism and set the bar for defining business strategy, planning and expectations within the beverage industry. I can always rely on their team for a smooth and accountable process in managing their supplier and operator relations. Everyone on their team is engaging and leaves no communication open to interpretation. Clearly the best!”
Mark Tiberia, National Account Manager, Infinium Spirits
“There is nothing more extraordinary than when two family-owned businesses come together to build better programs that benefit our customers and consumers. Thank you Team IMI for always being innovative, impactful and insightful with your partnership approach. Cheers to 30 more years of continued partnership and friendship along the way.”
Love, Team Tito’s
“As a distributor working in the national account hotel business channel, I have the pleasure of working with many agencies. IMI is by far the most proactive, inclusive and communicative agency partner I have. This is key to ‘Building Better Beverage Business’ for all the stakeholders!”
Chris Pedersen, CSW CSS, Director of National Accounts, Young’s Market Company
“Over the last 30 years, IMI Agency and its employees have been valued colleagues throughout my career in the hospitality industry. Relationships are our most valued asset and when HEE was created and launched, in the Mix magazine was there to support us as our media partner from the very beginning, sharing our messaging within their pages for the past 11 years. Truly, it is an honor to have both IMI and in the Mix as part of the HEE family. Congratulations on your many accomplishments and successes, and thank you for always inspiring, leading the way and looking toward the future with insights that are truly ahead of the curve. From the entire HEE family, we raise a glass to toast your contribution to the hospitality industry. Cheers!”
Jen Robinson, CEO/Duchess, Hospitality Executive Exchange (HEE)
“Since CORE’s inception in 2004, IMI has been such an integral part of our growth and success as we’ve granted support to over 700 food and beverage service industry families. Without IMI’s support, CORE would not be where it is today. We join the hospitality community in celebration of IMI’s 30th Anniversary! Cheers to 30 more!”
Lauren LaViola, Executive Director, CORE
