SAN DIEGO, March 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s Vibe Conference, the premier on-premise beverage conference for chain beverage executives, today announces the top adult beverage suppliers at the 2025 Supplier Awards. Vibe Conference takes place March 3-5 at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, CA.

For more than ten years, the Supplier Awards have invited beverage operators to rate their respective supplier companies on key attributes, including business-building support as well as service and support performance through live interviews. To ensure efficient, fair and unbiased balloting and analysis, results were analyzed by food and beverage industry research and consulting firm CM Profit Group. Winners were then identified in four categories including beer, wine, spirits and non-alcohol beverages, categorized by total annual case volume.

“Congratulations to the 2025 Supplier Award Winners,” said Shawn Fox, Partner, CM Profit Group. “The results are based on comprehensive research from CM Profit’s annual On-Premise Partnering Study. Through in-depth interviews with over 65 leading operators, we gathered assessments of supplier service performance across the industry. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participating operators who generously shared their valuable insights confidentially, and helped support this important industry benchmark.”

The winners of the 2025 Supplier Awards are:
Best Large Beer Supplier
Molson Coors Beverage Company

Best Medium Beer Supplier
Boston Beer Company

Best Small Beer Supplier
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Best Large Wine Supplier
Gallo

Best Medium Wine Supplier
Jackson Family Wines

Best Small Wine Supplier
Copper Cane Wines & Provisions

Best Large Spirits Supplier
Bacardi USA

Best Medium Spirits Supplier
Campari Group

Best Small Spirits Supplier
Rémy Cointreau USA

Best Overall Supplier
Best Large Non-Alcohol Supplier
Red Bull North America

Best Medium Non-Alcohol Supplier
American Beverage Marketers

Best Small Non-Alcohol Supplier
Fever-Tree

To learn more about Vibe Conference, visit: https://www.vibeconference.com. Stay connected with Vibe Conference and industry news at https://www.barandrestaurant.com/chains.

About Vibe Conference
Vibe Conference is the premier event for chain and hotel adult beverage executives and suppliers. This top on-premise conference is held annually and delivers high-level content, tastings and networking opportunities. The 2026 conference will be held at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, CA February 23-25, 2026.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Michelle Osbourne
Vibe Conference
[email protected]        

SAN DIEGO, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s Vibe Conference the premier on-premise beverage conference for executives, today announces the winners of the 2025 Vista Awards. The 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 Conference takes place March 3-5 at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, CA.

Tim McLucas, Market Leader, Hospitality Group at Questex, commented, “Congratulations to the 2025 Vibe Vista Awards winners! Competition was particularly strong this year, and we are proud of the venues that have risen to the top with innovative programs and contributions to the industry.”

The Vibe Vista Award winners include:

Best Overall: Cruise Line: Princess CruisesBest Overall: Hotel: Marriott InternationalBest Overall: Multi-Unit Chain Restaurant: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & BarBest Spirits Program: Delta Sky ClubBest Wine Program: Seasons 52Best Beer Program: BJ’s Restaurant & BrewhouseBest Adult Alcohol-Free Beverage Program: Hyatt LifestyleBest Beverage Limited Time Offer: Delaware NorthBest Beverage Menu: Marella Cruises & The Apollo GroupBest Overhaul of Beverage Program: Hyatt Hotels

The Vibe Vista Awards entries were evaluated on the basis of positive beverage sales initiatives, operational innovations, and training and service programs that uphold high-quality standards.
The distinguished panel of judges included:

Brian Warrener – Judging Chair, Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation, Johnson & Wales UniversityMichael Sabitoni – Associate Professor & Dept. Chair, Food & Beverage + Travel & Tourism Studies, Johnson & Wales UniversityDale J. Venturini – Former President & CEO, RI Hospitality AssociationBrian Van Gyzen – Associate Professor, Johnson & Wales University

To learn more about Vibe Conference, visit: https://www.vibeconference.com. Stay connected with Vibe Conference and industry news at https://www.barandrestaurant.com/chains.

About Vibe Conference
Vibe Conference is the premier event for chain and hotel adult beverage executives and suppliers. This top on-premise conference is held annually and delivers high-level content, tastings and networking opportunities. The 2026 conference will be held at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, CA February 23-25, 2026.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Michelle Osborne
Vibe Conference
[email protected]        

SAN DIEGO, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s Vibe Conference, the premiere on-premise beverage conference for beverage executives, today announces the winners of the 2025 Jim Flaherty Industry Legend Award and the Innovator Award. Larry McGinn, Partner/Owner of IMI Agency, has been honored with the Jim Flaherty Industry Legend Award, and Indre Jasaityte, Director of Beverage at BJ’s Restaurants, Inc., has won the Innovator Award. These prestigious awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate a passion for the beverage industry and have made significant contributions to its advancement.

Tim McLucas, Market Leader, Hospitality Group at Questex, said, “Congratulations to Larry McGinn and Indre Jasaityte on these well-deserved honors. Larry’s exceptional leadership and creativity have left a lasting impact on the industry, and Indre’s innovative approach continues to push boundaries and elevate beverage programs. Both winners exemplify the spirit of these awards, and we celebrate their remarkable achievements.”

The Jim Flaherty Industry Legend Award recognizes individuals whose careers have left an enduring mark on the on-premise beverage industry. Larry McGinn has been a transformative force in on-premise and national accounts for decades. His creativity, leadership, and relationship-building skills have shaped the industry in profound ways, and his philanthropic work with CORE has further solidified his legacy. Despite personal and health challenges, Larry’s focus and leadership have inspired countless peers and colleagues, making him a true Industry Legend.

The Innovator Award honors individuals driving creative and impactful change in the industry. Indre Jasaityte, Director of Beverage at BJ’s Restaurants, Inc., has earned this distinction for her visionary leadership and innovative strategies that have elevated BJ’s beverage program to new heights. Her commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences through beverage innovation exemplifies the forward-thinking spirit of this award.

The award winners were chosen by the Vibe Conference Advisory Council, a group of industry leaders dedicated to recognizing excellence within the beverage sector.

To learn more about Vibe Conference, visit: www.vibeconference.com. Stay connected with Vibe Conference and industry news at www.barandrestaurant.com/chains.

About Vibe Conference
Vibe Conference is the premier event for chain and hotel adult beverage executives and suppliers. This top on-premise conference is held annually and delivers high-level content, tastings and networking opportunities. The 2026 conference will be held at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, CA February 23-25, 2026.

About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
Michelle Osborne
Vibe Conference
[email protected]        

NEW YORK, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questex’s Hotel Management announces the eighth annual “Influential Women in Hospitality” list, honoring innovative, leading women in the hotel industry. 

The 2025 honorees were selected by the Hotel Management staff for their strong leadership and dedication to excellence in hospitality. This influential group’s list of accomplishments is as long as it is impressive, and Hotel Management is proud to feature these talented, inspiring women.

Hotel Management’s 2025 Influential Women in Hospitality are:

Anne Becker Olins, Global chief design and technical services officer, Ultra Luxury and Luxury, AccorSara Becnel, President, Sandestin InvestmentsOdette Brown, Senior director, brand operations, Choice Hotels InternationalVickie Callahan, President, hospitality management, Peachtree GroupAnn Christenson, Chief human resources officer, AimbridgeVanessa Claspill, Chief commercial officer, Crescent Hotels & ResortsArmelle De la Porte des Vaux, Vice president marketing, Club Med North AmericaLisa Drake, Vice President, Development & Owner Relations, GF Hotels & ResortsLan Elliott, Co-Founder & Principal, Acacia HospitalityEmily Feeney, Senior director of capital markets and investments, Noble Investment GroupWendy Ferrill, Vice president, Worldwide sales, BWH Hotel GroupCatherine Hance, Chief legal officer, Peregrine HospitalityBrittany Jones, Chief development officer, Brittain Resorts & HotelsJosie Kilgore, President, Cobblestone HotelsShannon Knapp, President and CEO, Leading Hotels of the WorldSandi Lesueur, Founder and CEO, VIRTU Resort & ResidencesHelinda Lizarraga, President, Aligned Hospitality ManagementLisa Lombardo, President, Ark Holding GroupKerry Mack, Chief revenue officer, HighgateLuana Maitland, Area director of cultural experiences, Outrigger Resorts & HotelsAyesha Molino, President and COO, ARIA and Vdara; Chief public affairs officer, MGM Resorts InternationalKendra Plummer, Founder and CEO, Elise CapitalAyesha Rajput, Regional vice president, franchise development, SonestaSamantha Sugarman, Senior vice president, strategic operations, Trinity Investments

“It is Hotel Management’s honor to recognize and celebrate hospitality professionals who make up this year’s 2025 Influential Women in Hospitality list,” said Esther Hertzfeld, Senior Editor at Hotel Management. “These exceptional women are innovators, collaborators, entrepreneurs, developers, and leaders reshaping and redefining the global hospitality industry. Their contributions inspire us, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations on their remarkable achievements.”

The 2025 Influential Women in Hospitality honorees are featured online in the March Issue of Hotel Management. Visit here to learn more.

About Hotel Management, a Division of Questex Hospitality Group

Hotel Management is a leading B2B centralized source for the latest news, trends and analysis across the hospitality industry. Stay up-to-date on breaking news in global and local investment, development, technology, operations, food & beverage and design.

About Questex

Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact

Esther Hertzfeld
Senior Editor
212-400-6230
[email protected]