Leading whiskey businesses to meet in New York

The world’s leading whiskey distillers, importers, associations and retailers gather in New York, Thursday 4 April 2013

The programme for the eighth World Whiskies Conference has been finalised, focusing on the theme 'Creativity: transforming inspiration into profit'. The one day global whisky business summit will take place for the first time in New York City, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, Pier 61, on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Established as a unique event in the international business of whiskey, the Conference provides the opportunity for senior industry executives to network, discuss and debate the issues, challenges and exciting opportunities that face this global industry. An industry panel that includes Whisky Magazine’s Rob Allanson, Dave Sweet, Mark Gillespie, Liza Weisstuch and Davin de Kergommeaux, has been brought together the content and the programme for the day will revolve around creativity.

“Creativity is a theme we are seeing more and more in the whisky industry as we face ever-changing trends in the market. This conference aims to discuss how to use creativity efficiently and make it financially viable in every-day business and the programme promises to be our most dynamic yet,” says Damian Riley-Smith, conference director.

Topics to be addressed at the conference include: lessons from luxury goods; craft whiskies and creative production; how to re-launch a brand; the future of blended whisky; creative opportunities around the globe; the rise of Irish, American and Canadian whiskies; and whiskey tourism – does it really exist? The Conference will also see, over lunch, the presentation of the Whisky Magazine North American Hall of Fame inductees.

Speakers include: Bill Newlands, president, Beam North America; Dr Peter Cressy, president and CEO, Distilled Spirits Council; Gavin Hewitt, chief executive, Scotch Whisky Association; Dr Nicholas Morgan, Diageo’s head of Whisky Outreach; Brendan Buckley, innovation and category development director, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard; Gigi DaDan, director global bourbon and tequila, Beam Inc.; Gregory Furman, founder and chairman, Luxury Marketing Council, John Hall, president, Forty Creek Distillery; Stephen Marshall, global marketing manager - single malts, John Dewar & Sons; Jim Rutledge, master distiller, Four Roses Distillery; Peter Johnson partner, Swerve; Larry Kass, director of corporate communications, Heaven Hill Distilleries; Brett Pontoni, specialty spirits buyer, Binny's Beverage Depot; Malcolm Gosling, CEO, Gosling-Castle Partners; Ben Ellefsen, sales director, That Boutiquey Whisky/Master of Malt; Chris Watt, marketing director premium brands, Whyte & Mackay Americas; Dr Robert Birnecker, master distiller, Koval; Raj Sabharwal, managing director, Purple Valley Imports; David Ozgo, chief economist, Distilled Spirits Council; and Ryan Maloney, president, Julio's Liquors .

Further details are available from www.worldwhiskiesconference.com and delegate rates are $499.

For more information contact Dave Sweet: Tel: +1 847 840 3914; Email: dave@worldwhiskiesconference.com

13 March 2013 - Felicity Murray