Thursday, February 1, 2018

Bacardi Unveils Spirit Forward Series to Promote Equality

     Bacardi will launch the Spirit Forward series next month – a collection of seminars designed to empower women in leadership roles.  The Spirit Forward Bacardi Women in Leadership Empowerment Series hopes to champion the individuals that make up the spirits trade and hospitality community through a host of inspiring speakers and professional seminars.  It will cover topics including sexual harassment, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
     Marlene Gordon, vice president, general counsel for Bacardi North America, said: “Now more than ever, we can all appreciate the power of community and how interdependent we truly are.  “This series is borne out of Bacardi’s desire to bring women and men from all parts of the spirits and hospitality industries together to not only educate, inspire, celebrate and motivate each other, but also to activate and accelerate the development and advancement of all women in our industry.”
The initiative will host Q&A sessions, workshops and networking opportunities in five locations as it tours across the US.   It will also host story sessions on breaking stigmas and workshops on financial planning and self-defense.  Each of these sessions will be led by speakers, industry professionals and members of the hospitality industry.
     Dana Cowin, the former editor-in-chief of Food & Wine Magazine and current chief creative officer of Chef’s Club International, has been chosen as the summit’s keynote speaker.   Cowin said: “The commitment to supporting and empowering women is more important than ever. It is imperative that we all, men and women alike, work together to help inspire positive change and work toward equality on all levels.”

       A five-city tour around the U.S. starting in Houston on February 12 and culminating in New York City on April 3, the Spirit Forward Bacardi Women In Leadership Empowerment Series will bring the tools, solutions, relationships and know how needed to help inspire and unleash the potential and further advancement of women in the spirits and hospitality industries, directly to each city. The first summit in Houston will be held at the Hotel Zaza Museum, and along with trailblazing national female participants who are on the road for the series, local Texas industry speakers and presenters featured include Jessica SandersAlba Huerta and Bobby Heugel.