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Marty Neehin

Global Art lovers take notice as Jérôme Peschard Launches Art Exhibition at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City
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Global Art lovers take notice as Jérôme Peschard Launches Art Exhibition at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City

By Marty Neehin — 6 months ago

Jérôme Peschard Launches Art Exhibition at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City

For the past 60 years, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts has epitomised the essence of French art de vivre across the globe. As 2024 heralds its Diamond Jubilee, commemorated with a series of exclusive events at Sofitel properties worldwide, Sofitel Saigon Plaza, the paragon of French hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City, proudly inaugurated an extraordinary celebration of art.

From Left- Betty Qiffe Pallard, Consul General Daniël Stork of the Netherlands to Vietnam, Nykky Do and Milena Padula- Spouse of Consul General of Italy to Vietnam / photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

On the evening of June 21st, the Sofitel Saigon Plaza was the scene of a glittering event, marking the launch of a collaboration with the internationally renowned French Pop Artist, Jérôme Peschard.

French Pop Artist Jérôme Peschard Portrait / photo courtesy of Stephane Thierry

French Pop Artist Jérôme Peschard Portrait / photo courtesy of Stephane Thierry

The hotel’s lobby served as an elegant backdrop for an array of Peschard’s stunning oil paintings on recycled corrugated metal, showcasing his inspiration from French Indochina.

From Left- Tracie May, Milena Padula- Wife of Consul General of Italy to Vietnam, Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel Manager Alistair Minty, Lindsay Nutley, Consul General of Australia to Vietnam Sarah Hooper, Simon Pugh and Michael Hooper // photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

The event attracted an illustrious group of attendees, including Mrs. Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia to Vietnam; Mr. Daniël Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands to Vietnam; Mrs. Milena Padula, spouse of Italian Consul General Enrico Padula; and Mrs. Lê Hạnh, CEO of TVHub Vietnam. Distinguished guests also included Michelin Starred Chef/Owner Peter Cong Franklin of Ănăn Saigon, totalling one hundred and thirty of Ho Chi Minh’s leading tastemakers.

photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

Guests enjoyed a selection of exquisite canapés, fine wines, and champagne while admiring Peschard’s captivating works. Adding to the allure, music by DJ Edge Pamute filled the space, and trendsetters Tracie May and Nykky Domodelled custom-embroidered Áo Dài, the national costume of Vietnam, designed by Peschard and couturière Giao Basson. A pop-up retail store showcasing Peschard’s merchandise collection also opened to the public, featuring a curated selection of home decor, limited edition numbered and artist-signed lacquer replicas of paintings, and an array of gift items. Both the boutique and the art exhibit will grace the Sofitel Saigon Plaza throughout the summer, concluding in early September.

photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

This premier event highlighted the vibrant intersection of art, culture, and gastronomy, celebrating a unique fusion that will enchant visitors throughout the season, encapsulating Sofitel Hotel and Resort’s world of prestige and luxury.

photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

“I’m deeply grateful to Sofitel Saigon Plaza for granting me such a fantastic platform to showcase my art. Although I am French, my heart is Vietnamese, and I’m thrilled to share my homage to Vietnam with their guests and visitors during the 60th Anniversary celebration of Sofitel Hotels and Resorts.” – Jérôme Peschard

“Marking 60 years of exceptional hospitality, we take pride in being a part of a legacy that consistently sets the standard for excellence in Asia, providing a unique experience for all modern travellers to explore Ho Chi Minh City through a French-inspired perspective.” – Mario Mendis, GM, Sofitel Saigon Plaza

ABOUT SOFITEL SAIGON PLAZA:

Sofitel Saigon Plaza harmonises the sophistication of French art de vivre with the vibrancy of local Vietnamese culture, delivering a luxury hospitality experience enriched by genuine heartfelt service. Conveniently located in a tranquil enclave on Le Duan Boulevard, Sofitel Saigon Plaza places you in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s business, cultural, and shopping district. The hotel boasts 286 rooms and suites adorned with refined décor and deluxe amenities, a fitness centre featuring advanced exercise equipment, and an outdoor swimming pool with breathtaking city views. Sofitel Saigon Plaza also features five dining establishments serving local and French cuisine, seven polished meeting rooms, and an opulent ballroom equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the ideal destination for business, leisure, meetings, and gatherings.

ABOUT JÉRÔME PESCHARD:

Dubbed the “Gauguin of Vietnam,” Jérôme Peschard is a self-taught artist whose work reflects a life richly lived and creatively charged. His art bridges the past with the present, blending East and West, while drawing profound inspiration from his adopted home of Vietnam. Characterised by the use of oil on rusted corrugated iron sheets salvaged from local construction sites, his pieces reflect the very essence of Saigon – its history, development, people, culture, and vibrant spirit. Peschard’s unique fusion of Western pop art with Asian influences, inspired by comic book legend Jack Kirby and modern art icons like Basquiat and Warhol, continues to evolve as he explores new themes in his storytelling. In the dynamic energy of Vietnam, Peschard not only found his place in the world, but also his distinctive artistic identity.

Las Vegas hosts International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas: Pizza expert Colby Strilaeff Reveals 2024's Top Pizza Trends
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Las Vegas hosts International Pizza Expo: Pizza expert Colby Strilaeff Reveals 2024’s Top Pizza Trends

By Marty Neehin — 9 months ago

Las Vegas hosts International Pizza Expo: Pizza expert Colby Strilaeff Reveals 2024’s Top Pizza Trends

Fresh off yet another showstopping display at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Hormel Foods, the maker of the best-selling retail pepperoni in the United States and a market leader in foodservice pizza toppings, is again driving the conversation on what’s trending in the pizza-topping industry.

Pizza expert Colby Strilaeff reveals 2024 Pizza trends

Pizza expert Colby Strilaeff, brand manager of Foodservice at Hormel Foods, helps the company keep its proverbial finger on the pulse of the pizza-topping needs of foodservice operators, and after experiencing the annual Las Vegas trade show, Strilaeff identified the top-five pizza trends to watch out for in 2024:

  1. Ribbon pepperoni: This topping needs no introduction in Canada, where shredded pepperoni is a staple, but Strilaeff expects the same trend to take off in the United States. Inspired by the pizza stylings of Windsor, Ontario, the introduction of HORMEL® Ribbon Pepperoni is already a game-changer for American foodservice operators, allowing for quicker pizza preparation with pepperoni that spreads as easily as shredded mozzarella. Ribbon pepperoni is also a foodservice-friendly option for non-pizza applications like pastas, subs and calzones.
  2. Giardiniera: A condiment with deep Chicago roots, giardiniera is a celebrated tradition in many Italian American households. Giardiniera, which means “from the garden” in English, is a pickled assortment of vegetables like peppers, olives and cauliflower, submerged in a tangy mixture of vinegar and oil. The result? A flavorful medley that perfectly complements a variety of dishes, especially pizza. Italian sausage and giardiniera is a particularly delicious and increasingly popular flavor pairing on pizza.
  3. Global flavors: Culture continues to reveal itself in pizza. “New international flavors are always being introduced in pizzerias across the country,” Strilaeff said. “It’s one of the fastest growing trends in the industry.” Flavor profiles from far and wide are featured on menus across the United States, with familiar profiles like Mexican, Cuban and Indian flavors emerging as commonly sought-after favorites. Global ingredients like chimichurri, gochujang and miso are also adding a flavor twist to popular slices.
  4. Post-bake creativity: Cooking a pizza isn’t the final step of the pizza-making process, especially these days. “We’re seeing a lot more people get creative with what goes on pizza after it is taken out of the oven,” Strilaeff said. Ingredients like chili-infused oils and hot honeys have emerged as popular post-bake pizza toppings. Shaved Parmesan is another commonly applied accompaniment, as are basil and other leafy greens; rocket, arugula, etc.
  5. Sesame seed crust: While not a traditional ingredient in pizza-making, sesame seeds are an increasingly popular addition for those craving an extra crunch in their pizza crust. “It adds a delicious, nutty undertone, which people really enjoy,” Strilaeff said. Whether garnished over a glistening, buttery crust or folded into the entire dough ball, look for the trend of sesame-seed crust to take off.

Hormel Foods has a long-standing reputation for creating innovative and delicious products for foodservice operators, including ROSA GRANDE® Cup & Char Pepperoni and FONTANINI® Cup & Char Sausage, both of which were successfully debuted during last year’s International Pizza Expo.

For more information on HORMEL® Ribbon Pepperoni and all other Hormel Foodservice products, visit hormelfoodservice.com.

Hey Las Vegas! Wisconsin Already knows the Big Winner on Superbowl Sunday
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Hey Las Vegas! Wisconsin Already knows the Big Winner on Superbowl Sunday

By Marty Neehin — 11 months ago

Wisconsin Already knows the Big Winner on Superbowl Sunday

When the Big Game rolls around each February, Wisconsin Cheese knows that eyes are on both the TV and what’s on the table.

If you do the cheese math, Wisconsin crafts 600 types, styles, and varieties of cheese, which means there are 600 options for cheese A, 599 options for cheese B, and 598 options for cheese C. The total combinations equal 214 million cheeseboard options, and with 126 million households in the U.S., no two game day spreads need to be the same.

“With friends gathered around the TV and taste buds craving something extraordinary,

Wisconsin Cheese is here to elevate the game day experience

with artisan cheeses for a vast array of cheeseboard combinations,”

Suzanne Fanning

CMO of Wisconsin Cheese

“Wisconsin crafts 50% of the nation’s specialty cheese, which means The State of Cheese has the award-winning cheeses to make every spread score points with fans of any team.”

Play your starting lineup: an award-winning cheeseboard that will win over every guest’s taste buds. Whether you want to keep it classic or try a creative new play with thrilling flavors, these cheese boards will enliven your snacking array:

Whichever team you’re cheering for this season, Wisconsin Cheese is always a winner during the big game. Find inspiration for future game day parties with another one of our cheese board recipes, like this Fiesta Cheese Board, this Wisconsin Cheese and Charcuterie Board, or another spread that suits your style from our selection of over 300 handcrafted recipes featuring Wisconsin Cheese.

Be sure to share your creations with us on Instagram and Facebook. For more information about award-winning Wisconsin Cheese and winning recipes, visit www.wisconsincheese.com.

Wisconsin Cheese

The tradition of cheesemaking excellence began more than 180 years ago before Wisconsin was recognized as a state. With 90% of the State’s cow’s milk being turned into cheese, Wisconsin’s 1,200 cheesemakers, many of whom are third- and fourth-generation, continue to pass on old-world traditions while adopting modern innovations in cheesemaking craftsmanship. Wisconsin has won more awards for its cheese than any other state or country.

For more information, visit WisconsinCheese.com.

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

Funded by Wisconsin dairy farmers, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization that focuses on marketing and promoting Wisconsin’s world-class dairy products.

Atomic Golf Las Vegas Corporate Executive Chef Robert Lomeli
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Atomic Golf Las Vegas Welcomes Chef Robert Lomeli to its flagship location for Golf Entertainment Destination

By Marty Neehin — 12 months ago

Atomic Golf Las Vegas Appoints Robert Lomeli as Corporate Executive Chef

As Atomic Golf tees up for the highly-anticipated opening in Q1 of 2024, the new golf entertainment destination proudly welcomes Chef Robert Lomeli as the corporate executive chef for its flagship location in Las Vegas.

A seasoned resident of Las Vegas for over 25 years, Chef Robert has carved out a distinguished reputation within the local culinary community. His extensive career in the city has allowed him to work across various major hotels and casinos, receiving mentorship from renowned chefs with expertise in diverse cuisines. Beyond his culinary abilities, Chef Robert keenly understands the financial elements of running a successful restaurant.

Throughout his career, Chef Robert has played a pivotal role in the launch of notable establishments in the city, including Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak at the Mirage and Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace. He has also held executive chef positions at prestigious venues such as the Villas at the Mirage, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill at MGM Grand and most recently Top of the World at The STRAT. In his free time, Chef Robert participates in local cooking competitions that benefit the community. His culinary expertise even led him to claim victory on an episode of the Food Network’s popular TV show, Guy’s Grocery Games.

Chef Robert will leverage his extensive culinary background to curate an extraordinary dining experience at Atomic Golf by sourcing the finest seasonal ingredients while working closely with local purveyors.

Follow Atomic Golf on Facebook, X, and Instagram at @atomicgolfvegas for the latest updates.

 

About Atomic Golf


Atomic Golf is Las Vegas’ premier golf entertainment destination, combining next-generation golf technology, an engaging atmosphere, and immersive gameplay to create a fun, interactive, and energizing golf entertainment experience.

Sitting on 100,000 square feet, steps from the famed Las Vegas Strip, Atomic Golf boasts four distinct floors comprised of 103 digitally enhanced golfing bays with state-of-the-art golf technology and a collection of original games, designed specifically for Atomic Golf, that infuse golf play with an interactive videogame; six full-service bars, each with their unique menus and atmospheres; flexible meeting and special event space; luxury golfing suites featuring a VIP entrance and a private bar; the one-of-a-kind Putting District with eight digital putting bays utilizing high-tech projection mapping to create a modernized putting game experience; chef-curated menus with elevated food and beverage offerings; The Tap Room with Bottoms Up technology and a curated collection of locally-brewed beers; the state-of-the-art Cosmic Lounge; the Astrocade with wall-to-ceiling, high-definition LCDs perfect for sports and entertainment viewing; and much more.

Atomic Golf is located at 1850 S. Main St., Las Vegas, NV 89104 next to The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower, steps from the famed Las Vegas Strip and blossoming Las Vegas Arts District.

For more information, please visit atomicgolf.com. Keep up with Atomic Golf on Facebook, X, and Instagram at @atomicgolfvegas.

 

Henderson’s favorite Italian restaurant Gaetano’s Announces Sunday Brunch Starting January 14
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Henderson’s favorite Italian restaurant Gaetano’s Announces Sunday Brunch Starting January 14

By Marty Neehin — 12 months ago

Gaetano’s Announces Sunday Brunch Starting January 14

Co-Owners Nick and Sarah Palmeri are proud to announce for the first time ever, Henderson’s favorite Italian restaurant Gaetano’s will be adding Sunday Brunch service.

Starting January 14, 2024, Gaetano’s will be open for brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with a menu of Italian inspirations and American classics, bottomless options and creative twists.

“Brunch is very popular in Las Vegas and Henderson,

so we thought a long time about what we could offer that was a little different…”

says Nick Palmeri

“Brunch is very popular in Las Vegas and Henderson, so we thought a long time about what we could offer that was a little different,” says Nick Palmeri. “Our brunch will be comfortable and chill, lots of fun but definitely not a day club.”

Highlights from the Sunday Brunch menu include:

  • Tricolore Bruschetta: fresh tomato garlic & basil, avocado, cannellini white bean & rosemary $12 
  • Marsala French Toast: panettone fruit bread, Marsala wine, powdered sugar, and bananas $20
  • Eggs in Purgatory: two organic China Ranch eggs, shredded short ribs, grilled crostini $28
  • Panini Mortadella: mortadella, stracciatella cheese, roasted red bell peppers, mixed greens, pesto aioli potato chips $18
  • Roasted Red Pepper Carpaccio: stracciatella cheese, toasted walnuts, microgreens, grilled crostini $22
  • Rigatoni Vodka with chicken or sausage $30 
  • 10 oz. Prime New York Steak with two organic China Ranch eggs, potatoes, grilled crostini $42

Several vegan options will also be offered. ‘Bottomless’ options, carafes of Aperol Spritz, Sangrias, cocktails, mocktails and wine will all be available. 

Reservations are not required, but always recommended, and can be made at gaetanoslasvegas.com. 

About Gaetano’s
Founded in Calabasas, CA, and located in Henderson, NV since 2002, Gaetano’s is a second-generation family-owned restaurant serving classic Italian recipes. Owners Nick and Sarah Palmeri offer a seasonal selection of house-made pastas and entrees in an elegant dining room with five-star service.

The restaurant also features regular wine and whiskey dinners, a popular happy hour, and have recently added Sunday Brunch. 

Gaetano’s
10271 S. Eastern Ave. #111 Henderson, NV 89052 | 702-361-1661
Facebook: @gaetanosristorante.lv | Instagram: @gaetanosristorante

 

Source: https://vegaspublicity.com/

 

Boulder City, Laughlin and Mesquite Deck The Halls this Holiday Season with Family Entertainment and Festive Light Shows
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Boulder City, Laughlin and Mesquite Deck The Halls this Holiday Season with Family Entertainment and Festive Light Shows

By Marty Neehin — 1 year ago

Boulder City, Laughlin and Mesquite Deck The Halls this Holiday Season with Family Entertainment and Festive Light Shows

It’s the most wonderful time of year as Boulder City, Laughlin and Mesquite celebrate the start of the season with festive parades, spectacular holiday lights and family fun with Santa Claus.

Upcoming holiday events include:

BOULDER CITY

  • A Polar Express Dance Extravaganza (Dec. 9)
    Experience the joy of the season with holiday dance performances at 2pm and 4:30pm by Dance Etc. inside the Historic Boulder Theatre.
  • “Comfort & Joy” Red Mountain Choir Concert (Dec. 15-16) 
    Ring in the season and sing along to the holiday classics with this festive annual concert event at the Elaine K. Smith Center in Boulder City.
  • Santa Trains (Dec. 9-10, 16-17, 23)
    A family tradition since 2002, Santa returns for some holiday fun on the daytime Santa Trains. Tickets are available first come, first served where guests can enjoy the festive attraction.
  • Boulder City North Pole Express (Dec. 8-10, 15-17, 19-20)
    Escape to a winter wonderland with friends and family during an evening magical train ride with Santa on the North Pole Express. The 40-minute experience features storytelling, hot chocolate and cookies, and a visit from St. Nick.

LAUGHLIN

  • Christmas on the Colorado Boat Parade (Dec. 16)
    Let your holiday spirit set sail with the Parade of Lights on the Colorado River hosted by the Laughlin and Bullhead Area Chambers of Commerce. The festive parade line will launch from Bullhead Community Park and travel north to the Laughlin Bridge, turning around for a pass by Laughlin’s resort corridor.
  • 12th Annual Christmas Tree Silent Auction (Now through Dec. 20)
    Aquarius Casino Resort and Edgewater Casino Resort are spreading holiday cheer with their 12th Annual Christmas Tree Auction benefitting the Feed A Family initiative. Guests and visitors can enjoy the silent auction that will feature nine decorated and displayed Christmas trees adorned with festive ornaments, shimmering lights and individual unique themes. This year’s tree themes include Winter Wonderland, All About Christmas, Sweet Treats, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, A Vintage Christmas, Bear Jamboree, Route 66, Under the Sea and Patriotic.
  • The Nutcracker Ballet (Dec. 14-17)
    The holiday season comes to life at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino for the Anaheim Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, the classic heartwarming tale of Clara and her Nutcracker doll who changes her woeful winter into a feast in Candyland.

MESQUITE

  • Christmas Boutique (Now through Dec. 29)
    Find one-of-a-kind gifts at the VVAA Annual Christmas Boutique at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center, which will feature unique gifts, pottery, stationery, art and other handmade treasures created by local artists.

 

About Mesquite
Close to home and yet a world away! Mesquite is located 90 miles north of Las Vegas and offers visitors an excitingly laid-back experience. Choose from several fabulous championship golf courses; explore astonishing, nearby national and state parks; or lounge by a sparkling pool. If you’d rather play indoors, then unwind and be pampered at a luxurious day-spa, practice your skill at bowling, dance the night away, or try your luck at the tables and slot machines. For more information on the destination, visit www.visitmesquite.com.

About Laughlin
Located 90 miles south of Las Vegas, Laughlin is a unique resort destination with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that welcomes nearly 2 million visitors annually. This oasis along the Colorado River boasts many options for water sports and boating activities, including eight resorts with stunning accommodations that offer fine dining, spa experiences, golfing, and a close proximity to the recreational paradise known as Heritage Trails. Laughlin has also become a leading special event destination in the Southwest. For more information, visit  www.visitlaughlin.com.

About Boulder City
Boulder City is known as a green oasis in the desert. Located approximately 20 miles from the glitter and excitement of Las Vegas and just a few miles from the grandeur of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, the destination offers a quiet, relaxed living environment. Boulder City takes pride in its quality recreational facilities such as Bootleg Canyon mountain bike trails, Boulder City Golf Course, and Boulder Creek Golf Club. For more information, visit www.visitbouldercity.com.

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Frontier Airlines begin Burbank airport service in July, with $19 flights to Las Vegas

By Marty Neehin — 5 years ago

Frontier Airlines announces it will begin flying out of Hollywood Burbank Airport this summer to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver

To celebrate, it’s offering discount fares for several locations — including Las Vegas.

Related:

Las Vegas wants to make you a star.  Find out how

The low-fare air carrier will offer nonstop flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver from Burbank starting in July.

“We welcome Frontier Airlines and the services they’re launching at BUR just as leisure travel starts to ramp up again,”

Frank R. Miller

the airport’s executive director

said in a news release. “Our customers now have more choices, adding to the convenience of Hollywood Burbank Airport.”

Through May 17, travelers will be able to purchase introductory fares from Burbank as low as $19 for Las Vegas and Phoenix, and starting at $29 to Denver, the airline said. The deal is good on valid travel dates — for Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights — between July 15 and Oct 6, 2021, excluding Sep. 1 through Sept. 7.

Related:

Wanna get tropical?  Royal Caribbean wants to help

The schedule is available at flyfrontier.com.

Frontier already offers flights out of other Southern California airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, Ontario International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana.

“We’re excited to add Hollywood Burbank Airport to our route map ”

said Josh Flyr, the airline’s vice president of network and operational design.

“The addition of Burbank will provide an even more convenient and easy to use option for many in the region.”

Frontier reminded travelers offered a slew of healthy and safety enhancements last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including requiring all passengers and crew members wear face masks throughout the flight.

Additionally, customers have to wash or sanitize their hands prior to boarding, undergo a pre-boarding temperature screening and confirm that neither they nor anyone in their household has exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 in the two weeks before flying,

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In a Year of Challenges, Las Vegas Global Wine & Spirit Awards Honors their Industry

By Marty Neehin — 5 years ago

2020 has been an incredibly tough year for so many business owners. Covid shutdowns, government run-around, travel logistic nightmares.

Las Vegas Global Wine & Spirit Awards Founder and Executive Director Eddie Rivkin was driven to persevere, find a way to honor his industry and ended up with his competition’s best year yet.

The Las Vegas Global Wine & Spirit Awards is truly a global competition where hundreds of wineries and distilleries from around the world enter to be scored and honored.

Founder and Executive Director Eddie Rivkin

One of the factors that makes the competition truly world-class is its judges. This is a court of experts who study all varieties of wine and spirits around the world, from the lesser-known, to the most popular and every beverage in between. They have dedicated their careers to being the absolute best at their craft.

Rivkin spends all year assembling the court, preparing the competition and of course marketing to wine and spirit brands from around the world. Even with this being his fourth year in business, he still couldn’t anticipate the incredible amount of challenges for 2020.

Competition Executive Director Eddie Rivkin explains:

“Running a competition is never easy. But as we all now know, 2020 has been, by far, the most challenging year.

“…All throughout the year we were faced with obstacle after obstacle in trying to hold the competitions in person as they should be. There was no way to prepare and no reference for how to overcome these problems. With the help of my great staff we are able to come up with viable solutions to everything thrown our way. We never wavered from having the competitions in person…”

…The goal was, is and always will be to respect our industry and honor our great brands. That’s what kept us going.”

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So many other competitions cancelled their 2020 or closed altogether. Whereas Rivkin kept moving forward, promoting the event and his judges.

“I am so proud of my judges. So honored that they trusted me with their comfort and safety and traveled to Las Vegas to judge the competitions. They are the absolute best in the world and they are the reason why the Las Vegas Global Wine & Spirit Awards is respected around the world. We work very hard to find the best, most experienced, globally recognized, and most diverse judges and I’m excited to work with them year after year.”

The competition’s date was forced to move several times, reacting to covid and government orders and was finally held on November 16-18.

Rivkin continues: “Every day I turned on the news just to see how forces out of my control were going to directly affect my life, my business and my team. It felt like a couple of times a week there was a gut punch that forced our team to react and make changes in order to ensure the success of the competitions.”

Rivkin never wavered in his persistence to host the event and honor the industry, of course, making dramatic adjustments to keep the team, the operations, the judges all as safe as possible.

Hand sanitizer was sponsored and provided by several distilleries. Gloves, face masks and face shields were offered and worn by all participants.

All 2500+ bottles in the competition were thoroughly cleaned by the team of volunteers prior to the start of the competitions. Judges from around the world flew in practicing the safest health precautions.

On the evening of night 2, Rivkin hosted his annual judges dinner:

“While the dinner started out reserved, there was a moment when all our troubles ceased, at least for a couple hours…”

“…Maybe it was the copious amounts of wine flowing? Whatever it was, at that moment our lives returned to pre COVID-19 normal.

“…Collectively the group took a huge deep breath and relaxed…”

The rest of our incredible dinner was spent laughing and enjoying each other’s company as we have done for so many years in the past. It was if the weight of the world lifted for all of us at the exact same time.”

Eddie Rivkin succeeded where so many other competitions and events failed in 2020. Not only did he manage to successfully execute his event in person, but it became his best year to date. The Las Vegas Global Wine & Spirit Awards is one of the very few competitions to honor 2020 wines and spirits, a distinction that Rivkin is proud to share.

The Las Vegas Global Wine & Spirit Awards announced their 2020 winners earlier this week on December 14.

Stay tuned for news about Las Vegas Global Wine & Spirit Awards 2021.

Learn more at: https://www.vegaswineawards.com/

 

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