Questex’s Annual Vibe Conference Presents 2022 Vibe Awards

Carlsbad, CA, May 02, 2022 – Last week, Questex’s Vibe Conference, the premiere annual on-premise beverage conference for chain beverage executives and their supplier partners, attracted more than 700 attendees including chain restaurants, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, distributors, consultants, and agencies. The conference was held at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, CA.

Tim McLucas, Vice President of Bar & Restaurant Group, said, “We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Vibe Conference, and to attract an expanded number of delegates eager to meet new customers, and learn how they can support one another at this important time of opportunity. Labor shortages, supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, and changes in consumer behavior from the pandemic have significantly impacted the beverage industry, demonstrating the importance of gathering top beverage executives to discuss new ideas and solutions to address these challenges, for future growth and success.”

Throughout the three days, attendees learned about the latest beverage trends through education workshops, beverage tastings, research sessions and networking opportunities.

The conference’s community collaboration activities were held in conjunction with the announcement of the 2022 Vibe Vista Awards recipients. Vibe Vista Awards recognize the top performers in the beverage industry through the creation, training, execution, management, and on-going positive results of beverage programs.

Vibe Vista Awards entries were reviewed by a panel of Johnson & Wales University beverage faculty, staff and alumni and were judged on positive beverage sales initiatives, efficient operational innovations and training and service programs producing high quality standards.

IMI Agency was honored to have several of their chain hospitality Clients win these prestigious awards…in fact, IMI Clients picked up 44% of the Vibe Vista Awards. Winners included:

  • Best Adult Alcohol-Free Beverage Program: Marriott International, sponsored by Monin
  • Best Pickup & Delivery, Brinker International (Chili’s), sponsored by Patron Spirits
  • Best Beverage Limited Time Offer, Intercontinental IHG, sponsored by Remy Cointreau USA
  • Best Overall: Hotels, Casinos & Cruise Lines: (tie) HEI Hotels & Resorts, sponsored by Beam Suntory

Best Adult Alcohol-Free Beverage Program: Marriott International, sponsored by Monin

Best Pickup & Delivery, Brinker International (Chili’s), sponsored by Patron Spirits

Best Beverage Limited Time Offer, Intercontinental IHG, sponsored by Remy Cointreau USA

Best Overall: Hotels, Casinos & Cruise Lines: (tie) HEI Hotels & Resorts, sponsored by Beam Suntory

Laddie Weiss, Producer, Vibe Conference, said, “Congratulations to the Vibe Vista Awards winners. Winners were judged based on positive beverage sales initiatives, efficient operational innovations and training and service programs producing high quality standards. We applaud them on their success.”

In addition, the 2022 Jim Flaherty “Legends” and “Industry Innovator” award winners were also named. Larry Sturcken, Managing Director – Customer Development National On-Premise Accounts, E&J Gallo was awarded the Jim Flaherty Legends Award, while Matthew Von Ertfelda, Senior Vice President | Global, US and Canada Food + Beverage, Marriott was awarded this year’s Industry Innovator Award.

Vibe Conference also announced the top adult beverage suppliers at the 2022 Supplier Awards Ceremony. Award recipients were identified in four categories including beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcohol beverages, each categorized by total annual case volume.

Vibe also announced their 2022 Supplier Awards winners:

BEER – Constellation Brands, Boston Beer Company, and New Belgium Brewing

WINE – E&J Gallo, Trinchero Family Estates, and a tie between J. Lohr Vineyards and Rodney Strong

SPIRITS – Bacardi USA, Campari Group, and William Grant & Sons

NON-ALCOHOL – Red Bull, Monin Gourmet Flavorings and a tie between Fever-Tree and Q Mixers

“Congratulations to the 2022 awards winners,” said Tom Fox, Partner, CM Profit Group. “The Supplier Awards program is based on research from the annual CM Profit On-Premise Partnering Study. More than 40 operators participated in the live interviews where they rated their respective supplier companies.”

Vibe, and its parent organization, Questex, have long been proponents of the on-premise industry’s preeminent charity supporting families and children of restaurant employees (CORE). During the conference, there was a CORE Golf Outing on Monday morning, attracting 66 golfers playing 9-holes and enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather. Along with the golf outing, CORE operated a silent auction during the conference, and all-in, the Vibe Conference and its generous attendees, raised over $105,000 in support of CORE.

The Vibe Conference is the premier event for chain and hotel adult beverage executives and suppliers. The top on-premise conference is held annually and involves high-level content, tastings and networking opportunities. The 2023 conference will be held February 27-March 1 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina.