FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2021
UNITED STATES BARTENDERS’ GUILD ANNOUNCES WINNER OF CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
HENDERSON, NV (OCTOBER 26, 2021) - The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) shares today the list of Chapter Award winners for 2021. Membership Committee Chair Summer Jane Bell announced during the organization’s Regional Conference held in Columbus, OH that the Oregon chapter, led by president Jason Marshall, has won the USBG’s third annual award for “Chapter of the Year.”
Said Marshall, “We’re so thankful to our members for their dedication to the growth of the chapter and to Guild leadership for recognizing all that hard work.”
To qualify for the awards, which ranged from “Rising Star Chapter” and “Best Health and Wellness” program to Chapter of the Year, individual USBG chapters were required to share information on their activities for the year.
Chapters were evaluated by the five-person Membership Committee.
Among the most notable achievements by the Oregon chapter included the chapter’s Holiday Showcase with Bull-In-China Barware Co. The chapter staged a Home Shopping Network-style presentation complete with scripted “call-in” testimonials for products that “bartenders truly want for Christmas.” The event was so well received that both QVC and the Home Shopping Network caught wind of the activation and invited Bull-In-China to be featured on their respective channels for the remainder of the year.
From mini golf to hikes foraging for botanicals and harvesting local pears, throughout a year in which the entire industry struggled with the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon also held events focused on health and wellness.
Oregon also picked up the award for “Best Education Week.” Industry luminary Jim Meehan kicked off the week by sharing his thoughts on the future of bars and bartending and predicting trends to come. The chapter unveiled its “Members’ Library,” a resource sharing program through which members can trade their favorite books and testing materials with other members.
Said USBG Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith, “Between producing an hour-long Ted Talk-style presentation on how to evolve the industry, different career paths, and how to get there, and keeping their community connect during shutdowns, the Oregon chapter uncovered ways to maximize the talents of all its members and we hope that effort will inspire chapters across the country.”
Other award winners included:
- “Rising Star Chapter” - Orange County (CA)
- “Best Community Outreach” (Formerly known as Diversity & Inclusion Award) - Chicago
- “Best Commitment to Health & Wellness” - Phoenix
- “Best Chapter SWAG” - Chicago
Tune into the USBG Weekly on IG Live @usbg on Wednesday, October 27 at noon Pacific/3 p.m. Eastern as Smith welcomes long-time USBG member Eric “ET” Tecosky as he shares his journey from behind one of LA’s most famous bars to brand ownership and a dream brand ambassador gig.
Follow the USBG through multiple social media channels: IG/FB/TWITTER: @usbg/@TheUSBG/@TheUSBG.
About the United States Bartenders’ Guild
Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders’ Guild®️ is a non-profit professional society of bartenders and other hospitality professionals uniting the hospitality community to advance professional bartending. The USBG believes that every U.S. bartender achieves greater personal and professional success by connecting to diverse local and national hospitality communities. Through our network of over 40 communities nationwide, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, community service projects, and skills-based competition. Learn more at www.usbg.org.