The 10th Anniversary Tales of the Cocktail® achieved record-breaking numbers for attendees,
hotel nights and economic impact on New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS – October 3, 2012 – Tales of the Cocktail®, the word’s premier cocktail festival, experienced another record-breaking year at this summer’s 10th Anniversary festival held in New Orleans July 25-29. The international festival continues to see year-over-year growth and 2012 was no different. More than 23,000 cocktail professionals and enthusiasts attended events throughout the five-day festival, a 7.8% increase from 2011. Even more impressive than that number is the economic impact the event has on the New Orleans area. During the festival, $14.3 million was spent by Tales of the Cocktail® attendees and vendors (an increase of $1.6 million from 2011) with the city and state collecting $1 million in tax revenue (an increase of $115,000 from 2011).
“There are no bounds to the love that Ann and I hold for our city, New Orleans, and the tremendous appreciation that we have for our peers in the hospitality industry. The economic impact that Tales of the Cocktail has on both is extremely gratifying,” said Paul G. Tuennerman, Chief Business Officer for Tales of the Cocktail®.
The 23,470 attendees booked a total of 17,703 hotel nights among our 13 hotel partner properties, a 12.4% increase from 2011. Over the past 10 years Tales of the Cocktail® has grown into a truly international event drawing cocktail lovers from across the country and around the world. California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois were the most represented states (not including Louisiana). While Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden and Argentina (not including the United States) had the most international attendees.
The five days of Tales of the Cocktail® were packed with 230 spirited events including 30 Spirited Dinners®, 60 educational seminars, 86 tasting rooms, 6 hands-on seminars, 6 excursions and 3 spirited luncheons. None of these events would have been possible without the hard work of the Tales of the Cocktail® team made up of 170 volunteers, 60 cocktail apprentices, 8 juicers, 46 seasonal staffers, 14 interns, and 5 full-time staffers and 1 senior squeezer.
As always, the proceeds from Tales of the Cocktail® benefit the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS), a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. The increased attendance will allow the NOCCPS to continue and expand programs like its Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Fund and the new Apprentice Aid Medical Fund.
About Tales of the Cocktail®
Tales of the Cocktail® is the world’s premier cocktail festival, bringing together the most respected minds on mixology for five days of cocktails, cuisine and culture. Held annually in New Orleans, this international event has something for cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike with a spirited schedule of seminars, dinners, competitions and tasting rooms where brands showcase their latest products. Join the celebration in New Orleans, July 17-23, 2013.
About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of cocktails and cuisine in New Orleans and beyond. Since it’s founding in 2006 the NOCCPS has supported members of the hospitality industry through programs like the new Apprentice Medical Aid Fund, providing financial assistance to former apprentices in times of medical need, the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program and the Flo Woodward Memorial Scholarship as well as the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail®.
For more information on Tales of the Cocktail®, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com
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