IMI’s Evan Traub Travels to Italy’s Valdobbiadene Region
By Evan Traub | October 06, 2023
I was incredibly fortunate to join Hyatt Hotels on a recent trip to Italy alongside winners from Hyatt’s annual Sparkling Celebrations, a promotion in partnership with Folio Fine Wine Partners and Hyatt Senior Leadership. Our group spent the week learning about the Valdobbiadene region, Villa Sandi Winery, the culture and history of Venice, and truly so much more.
Our group outside the Villa Sandi winery
Our trip began with a bus ride to Villa Sandi where we had a beautiful lunch at their on-site restaurant with members of their winery team. Following lunch, we were able to actually see the crush taking place as they were harvesting. The in-depth Villa Sandi tour showcased the property’s incredible history across four generations of family winemaking.
Sampling grapes that were just harvested
Villa Sandi produces Hyatt’s Canvas Pinot Grigio and Canvas Blanc de Blanc. The group learned more intricately about the story and development of these two house wines. We experienced several of their vineyards including a very remote location in Nervesa Della Battaglia where we had a classic lunch outside adjacent to the grapes we were enjoying in our glasses.
Sampling Hyatt’s Canvas Blanc de Blanc and Pinot Grigio
The trip also included a walking tour around Venice, a quick trip to Milan where we attended a fútbol game at San Siro Stadium, AC Milan v. Newcastle United FC. My favorite part of the trip was probably the bike ride through Valdobbiadene where we passed amazing homes, beautiful countryside, and vineyards and then got to sip on Cartizze, the very special coveted wine produced in the exclusive region.
Our group overlooking Cartizze
Watching AC Milan v. Newcastle United FC at the San Siro Stadium
Sampling Villa Sandis Cartizze with a beaitful salami
The wine, food, and experiences shared everywhere we visited were incredible. A tremendous thank you to Hyatt and Folio Fine Wine Partners for allowing me to be part of the trip.
Evan Traub, Senior Account Manager, IMI Agency
Born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio, as a young child Evan loved entertaining, hospitality, and cooking. He brought these passions to life through a candy store in his basement he used to sell treats to his neighbors and sisters’ friends. The candy store later evolved into a cafe with a menu assembled off of what was in the house.
Evan’s early jobs included prep work at Cleveland’s famed Ristorante Giovanni’s, working as a server assistant at Hyde Park Steakhouse and a bread maker at Great Harvest Bread Company.
In his teens Evan started a DJ entertainment company hiring his friends as the first employees. The company specialized in school dances, bar/bat mitzvahs and other teen events. The company grew, hired several employees over ten years while Evan went to college in Chicago and the DJ company added offices there too.
Evan studied public relations and marketing at DePaul University. While in school, Evan worked for Chartwells, a division of Compass Group, the Park Hyatt and Chicago’s preeminent nightlife and event group Rockit Ranch Productions.
After college, Evan became the Maitre’D for Nick’s Fishmarket, a 30-year old Chicago institution where he developed a passion for fine dining and elevated service. Evan moved on to the group’s sister restaurant in the western suburbs where he managed large teams for the popular destination.
In 2006 Evan was the opening GM for The Southern, a chef driven bar concept supporting local farmers and a great seasonal cocktail program. Evan and the team started an award winning food truck featuring mac & cheese and then opened a quick service mac & cheese shop in the loop. Evan began overseeing the Southern, food truck, quick service restaurant as well as the Hunt Club, a longtime Gold Coast late-night mainstay.
In 2010 Evan started his career with Live Nation first working two different roles at House of Blues in Houston and then later moving to Los Angeles and serving as the National Director of Food and Beverage for the company working on training initiatives, food and beverage programs, special events, openings and enhancing guest experiences.
After four years with Live Nation, Evan and his wife moved back to Chicago in anticipation of their first son’s birth. Evan started with IMI Agency as an account manager after previously being their client. Evan has celebrated 5 years at IMI with a team of three and helps drive better beverage business for clients like Hyatt Hotels, Levy, Eataly, PPX Hospitality Brands, United Airlines Clubs, Mina Group and others.
Evan now lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two young boys.
