Members of all tiers of the beverage alcohol industry came to Florida ’ s Caribe Royale Orlando resort June 13-15 for three educational trade conferences : the Activate National Accounts Meeting , Cheers Beverage Summit and Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference . Over three days , attendees participated in group discussions , heard from more than 30 speakers and celebrated prestigious industry awards .
Highlights of the Cheers Beverage Summit included a keynote Q & A with Nichole ( Cole ) Robillard , chief marketing officer of Smokey Bones , sessions about industry data and regulatory updates and the presentation of the BevX Awards for outstanding beverage programs .
Special thanks to our event sponsors BuzzBallz , Drizly , Ole Smoky and City Hive , Pronghorn , Blue Oco , Bushwacker , Delegat , Koloa Rum , Koverly , Chopin Imports , Aquilini , Beattie ’ s Distillers , Don Q Rum , Tequila Comisario and Comcash . We ’ re planning a revamped and unique Cheers Beverage Summit for early 2023 in Miami ; more details to come soon !
From left : Cheers editor Melissa Dowling and Cole Robillard of Smokey Bones ; attorney Hannah Becker ; Dowling and EPG ’ s research director Marina Velez .
From left : Mark Conway , franchise owner , The Melting Pot ; “ corporate energizer ” Dustin James ; Ed Eiswirth of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ; emcee David Gee .
Celebrating the 2022 Growth Brands Awards winners , with representatives from recipients BuzzBallz , Southern Champion , Ole Smoky Moonshine and Diageo .
18 • BevX Issue 2022 www . cheersonline . com