Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is has announced the dates for their 19th annual conference (TOTC) to be held between 20-23 September 2021.
The world’s largest cocktail conference will return in a digital format for the second year, a decision born out of necessity due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The 4-day conference will be available free of charge to cocktail professionals and enthusiasts across the globe, with supplemental physical activations in key cities around the globe, wherever safe and feasible.
Submit your seminar ideas for the 2021 conference
Changed from June to September
The organization connected thousands of attendees across 100 countries to experience over 125 events. The Foundation has switched its usual June timeframe event to September with the knowledge that early 2021 will continue to be a crucial time for establishments to focus on recovery efforts. It is also hoping to return to primarily in-person format in New Orleans in 2022.
Theme for 2021
The 2021 theme for Tales of the Cocktail Foundation will be “Community.” Selected by the Foundation to underscore the global drinks industry coming together to share knowledge and compassion after an unprecedented year, “Community” also serves as a rallying cry for communing thought leadership to drive future advancement.
“As New Orleanians, we know resilience when we see it. There’s no doubt that the spirits industry had the tenacity and the grit to make it through 2020,” shared Caroline Rosen, President of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “Now, as we look ahead to 2021, it’s time to focus on the goal of true advancement of not only our craft but our industry’s culture and how we rise together.”
The programs
Tales of the Cocktail 2021 will be hosted on a digital platform accessible across all time zones and will offer the educational, cultural and lifestyle programming through a library of on-demand, pre-recorded videos in addition to live, interactive programming, networking opportunities and partner booths.
Seminars, both pre-recorded and live, will follow Tales’ existing educational tracks - Beyond the Bar, Business, and Culture - and will provide attendees with the high calibre of education opportunities they expect from the annual conference. English closed captioning will be available for key seminar programming that is recorded in other languages. Those interested in applying to host a seminar can do so now via https://talesofthecocktail.org/initiatives/seminars/.
Additional marquee programming will return in 2021 and, for the first time, the conference’s popular “Meet the Distillers” event will be converted to a digital stage. Beyond the Bar program, dedicated to championing a sustainable lifestyle for the bartending and spirits community, will resume with a focus on virtual mental health and wellness initiatives. Spirited Awards will host its 15th annual ceremony to recognize industry excellence from individuals, media and establishments during Tales of the Cocktail 2021.
Brands and partners’ participations
Brands will still get to design and curate their virtual booths that offers opportunities for personal interaction between brand and attendee, share information, contents, and videos about their products. TOTCF partners will also have opportunities to host virtual experiences, live chats, panel discussions, happy hours and product reveals within the TOTC schedule.
For more information, please visit www.talesofthecocktail.org.
- T -