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The Evolution of Modern Hospitality by Nick Nistico; Introduction by Don Billings
by in the Mix
Introduction by Don Billings, Publisher
With the post-pandemic world, as everyone is restaffing for a successful reopening, comes renewed insights and challenges. New trends are emerging for bars, restaurants and hotel operators, bringing new leadership responsibilities as the industry continues to evolve. Technology continues to play a more important role than ever. This past month I had the great opportunity to attend Jen Robinson’s Hospitality Executive Exchange. During the course of the seminars, Nick Nistico from Overproof gave a wonderful history of hospitality through the ages. They have graciously allowed us to share this history lesson with our readers. “As we move into the future of the restaurant industry, we have to look into the past and how technology has advanced. What got us to where we are today, won’t keep us here. It is our steadfast belief that technology platforms can’t ever replace hospitality but help enhance it. Technology is the vehicle, but hospitality will always be the driver. We created Sixdots to help take hospitality from the pandemic into the future, without removing its warm embrace that has held so many diners for so long.” — Nick Nistico, VP of Sales, Overproof
Here is the link to Nick’s presentation on the past, present and future of Hospitality.
Don Billings
Publisher, in the Mix Media
““Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs
Thank You!
Now that the pandemic seemingly is moving to our rearview mirror, we would like to say “thank you” to all of our own team members who worked through this difficult time over the past 15 months. We thank them for their efforts, contributions and dedication working from home in most cases, and for keeping the communications open between our customers and brand suppliers alike. We also thank them for having faith in our company, our business and the great comeback of the hospitality industry as a whole. We are dedicated to our company motto, “Building Better Beverage Business.” And to that end, we kept our on-premise customers informed and supported throughout the pandemic, helping them achieve their goals as well as establishing new strategies and coordinating planning sessions for the reopening of the on-premise for their guests. We dedicate this issue of in the Mix magazine to our team.
IMI Agency Atlanta Office
Amanda Miles Ashley Akley Ashley Collins Celeste Dinos Connie Allen Don Billings Isabel O’Cathey Jasmine Presley Jean Breunle Jeanette Rolla Joshua Birman Rachel Morgan Sherry King Taylor Niedzwiecki Tina Nalazek Tonya Rains
Chicago Office
Evan Traub Larry McGinn Paris Hill-Castillo Patrick McGinn
Field Team
Andy Nelson Brandon Wise David Miller Elyce Lora Gabirel Fore Gary Gruver Grant Hewitt Heather Elmes Jennifer Lougee Jessica Altieri Kayla Wiede Lindsey Eisenlohr Meghan Schulze Michael Logan Sarah Alegria Sarah Jane Curran Wes Gray
in the Mix
Celeste Dinos Christine Neal Don Billings Helen Benefield Billings Kester Chau Mike Raven
PayBev
Adam Billings Alexa Hickey Brad Logan Cody Henson Jason Macon Paul Westby
COREgives
Gretchen James Kristen Davis Rachelle Tully Sheila Bennett
Senior Management team extends a big thank you to every one of you!
Don Billings, Larry McGinn, Sherry King, Celeste Dinos, Adam Billings, Patrick McGinn
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Welcome to the Summer 2021 Issue of in the Mix
If you missed the article on the first page about the Evolution of Modern Hospitality, go back and click the link (or click here) to see a fascinating overview of the industry from pre-20th century to the present by Nick Nistico. This issue’s interview is with an old friend of IMI, Bradley Moore, Vice President Aimbridge Hospitality. Bradley talks about the merger with Interstate Hotels and Resorts and how it made them the largest thirdparty hotel management in the world. Aimbridge Hospitality now operates over 1,500 branded and independent full service and select service luxury hotels, destination resorts, convention centers and lifestyle hotels. This portfolio takes Aimbridge to 49 U.S. states and 20 countries across the globe. We also take a visit to the beautiful new Chandelier Bar in the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, New Orleans — a stunning lounge with an extensive cocktail program by Hadi Ktiri. Sage Restaurant Concepts is moving full steam ahead with an aggressive roster of reopenings, new openings and property transitions, including 14 restaurant and bar outlets in one month alone. We visit two of the newest concepts within The Rally Hotel in Denver, Colorado, which were spearheaded by VP of Beverage Brandon Wise, bringing
Mike Raven
exciting, creative beverage programs to the hotel. I would also like to point out that my old friend and one of the best national account representatives ever, Jamie Conahan, has come out of his very short retirement to represent the John Anthony Family of Wines and their stellar portfolio. We all wish Jamie the best of luck in his new venture, and I’m sure a lot of you will be hearing from him soon. He can be reached at jconahan@javwine.com. I hope you all have a prosperous and fun summer!
Mike Raven Managing Editor, in the Mix Media
44
Contents
40 62
Cover Story
44. An interview with Bradley Moore, Vice President, Aimbridge Hospitality
Features
3. The Evolution of Modern Hospitality by Nick Nistico; Introduction by Don Billings 16. IMI’s Creative Services Department and Technology Services 20. 2021 – The Year of Raising Prices by Joel Feigeheimer, Ph.D. 24. Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans Introduces the Chandelier Bar 30. SAGE Restaurant Concepts is Owning the Upswing 36. Kathy Casey Launches SHOT BAR 54. What Will the New-Normal Look Like for On-Premise Imbibing? by Samantha Des Jardins, Datassential
Events
60. TAG Global Spirit Awards 62. HEE East’s “Simply Keep Movin’” Theme a Success
Interview
14. Spotlight on Jeanette Rolla, Senior Account Manager, IMI Agency
Recipe Articles
e standard for American ne wine
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Contributing Contributing Writers Writers
Known as “The Modern Mixologist,” Tony is an accomplished bar chef, Known as “The Modern Mixologist,” speaker and consultant who has Tony is an accomplished bar chef, created several original cocktail recipes, speaker and consultant who has including the Cable Car, Sunsplash and created several original cocktail recipes, Starlight. He has recently authored his second book, Vodka Distilled (Agate Andrew Pollard, Beverage including the Cable Car, Sunsplash and Starlight. He has recently authored his Surrey, publisher).Innovation Director at Monin, second book, Vodka Distilled (Agate acclaimed winner at Tales of Surrey, publisher). the Cocktail, recipient of the Tony Abou- Ganim Paragon Tony Abou-Ganim Award, and renowned Las Vegas cocktail connoisseur. Tony Abou-Ganim
Andrew Pollard
Mike Kostyo is the resident Trendologist at Datassential, Mike Kostyo is the resident the food industry’s leading Trendologist at Datassential, market research firm. For the food industry’s leading more information about market research firm. For Datassential’s 2021 trends or more information about the Future of Drink report, Datassential’s 2021 trends or contact Kostyo at mike@ the Future of Drink report, datassential.com. contact Kostyo at mike@ datassential.com.
Samantha Des Jardins
Samantha Des Jardins is a copywriter and author for Datassential which is the leading market research agency helping food & beverage companies of all sizes Helen Benefield Billings and segments innovate, sell, and plan for the Helen Benefield Billings Hospitality and Travel future, backed by the writer, and creator of “Making the Rounds,” best data in the industry. Hospitality and Travel writer, and creator of Helen Benefield Billings “Making the Rounds,” has been with in the Helen Benefield Billings Mix since its inception has been with in the in 2004. Helen lives in Mix since its inception her native childhood in 2004. Helen lives in home of Sea Island, her native childhood Ga. when not travelling home of Sea Island, or attending industry Ga. when not travelling functions with her or attending industry 12 in the Mix Magazine husband, Don. functions with her husband, Don.
Mike KostyoMike Kostyo
Dr. Joel Feigenheimer
Dr. Joel Feigenheimer is a former operator and an Assistant Professor at The Chaplin School of Hospitality, Florida International University.
Dr. Joel Feigenheimer Dr. Joel Feigenheimer
Dr. Joel Feigenheimer is a Dr. Joel former operator Feigenheimer is a and an Assistant former operator Professor at The and an Assistant Chaplin School of Professor at The Hospitality, Florida Chaplin School of International Hospitality, Florida University. International University.
BUILDING BETTER BEVERAGE BUSINESS BUILDING BETTER BEVERAGE BUSINESS
Larry McGinn, Partner Celeste Dinos, Partner Don Billings, Founding Partner Larry McGinn, Partner Celeste Dinos, Partner Don Billings, Founding Partner
PUBLISHER PUBLISHER
Don Billings Don Billings
EDITORIAL AND DESIGN EDITORIAL AND DESIGN
Managing Editor – Michael Raven Designed by – Kester Chau of DFE Media Managing Editor – Michael Raven Copy Editor & Proofreader – Christine Neal Designed by – Kester Chau of DFE Media Associate Editor – Celeste Dinos Copy Editor & Proofreader – Christine Neal Associate Editor – Helen Benefield Billings Associate Editor – Celeste Dinos Associate Editor – Helen Benefield Billings
EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICE EDITORIAL AND BUSINESS OFFICE
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