NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questex’s Vibe Conference, the only event of its kind dedicated to the on-premise beverage industry, unveils the winners of the Jim Flaherty Industry Legend Award, Innovation Award, Vista Awards, and Supplier Awards. Vibe Conference was held at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego, California, February 23-25.
Jim Flaherty Industry Legend Award and Innovation Award
The Jim Flaherty Industry Legend Award and the Innovation Award honor individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the hospitality industry.
- Jim Flaherty Industry Legend Award: Patrick Henry, Patrick Henry Creative Promotions
- Innovation Award: Nathan Grover, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar
The award winners were chosen by the Vibe Conference Advisory Council, a group of industry leaders dedicated to recognizing excellence within the beverage sector.
Brandy Rand, Vice President/Market Leader of Hospitality Group, Questex, said, “Congratulations to Patrick Henry and Nathan Grover on these well-deserved awards! Patrick has built iconic relationships and partnerships that will endure for years to come. And Nate has an unmatched talent for identifying consumer needs and turning them into successful products and promotions. We are thrilled to celebrate their remarkable achievements.”
Vibe Vista Awards
The Vista Awards are where the best in on-premise beverage takes the spotlight. The awards recognize outstanding performers in the beverage industry across leading chains and hospitality groups. They celebrate excellence in the creation, training, execution, management, and ongoing success of beverage programs.
Award winners include:
- Best Beverage Menu: Hilton
- Best Adult Alcohol-Free Beverage Program: Virgin Voyages
- Best Beer Program: Lazy Dog Restaurants
- Best Spirits Program: Marriott International
- Best Wine Program: Silversea Cruises
- Best Beverage Limited Time Offer: Virgin Voyages
- Best Overhaul of Beverage Program: Vail Resorts
- Best Overall: Airlines: United Airlines
- Best Overall: Cruise: Norwegian
- Best Overall: Hotel: Hyatt
- Best Overall: Multi-Unit Chain Restaurant: Red Lobster
The Vibe Vista Awards entries were evaluated on the basis of positive beverage sales initiatives, operational innovations, and training and service programs that uphold high-quality standards. This year’s judging panel included:
- Brian Warrener, Judging Chair, Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation, Johnson & Wales University
- Dale DeGroff, Partner, DeGroff Spirits
- Maria Bastasch, Partner, Drink Company
- Christie Dufault, Professor, Wine and Beverage Studies, Culinary Institute of America
- Kim Haasarud, Beverage Consultant, Liquid Architecture
Rand said, “The Vista Awards celebrate the exceptional companies redefining the beverage experience in on-premise venues nationwide. These winning programs drove incredible revenue increases, modernized beverage programs, and increased visits, all while maintaining consistency and efficiency at scale. Congratulations to this year’s winners for pushing the boundaries of our industry.”
Supplier Awards
For more than ten years, the Supplier Awards have invited beverage operators to rate their respective supplier companies on key attributes. The results are based on comprehensive research from food and beverage industry research and consulting firm CM Profit's annual On-Premise Partnering Study. Through in-depth live interviews with 56 leading operators, CM Profit gathered assessments of supplier service performance across the industry. Winners were then identified in four categories including beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcohol beverages, categorized by total annual case volume.
This year also included the new Momentum Award, which celebrates a partner whose impact in the on-premise channel has surged in a major way. It honors a supplier that’s not just performing well, but accelerating and showing up with fresh energy and true partnership.
Award winners include:
- Best Overall Supplier: Red Bull North America
- Momentum Award: Sazerac Company
- Best Large Beer Supplier: Constellation Brands
- Best Medium Beer Supplier: New Belgium Brewing Company
- Best Small Beer Supplier: Athletic Brewing Company
- Best Large Wine Supplier: Trinchero Family Estates
- Best Medium Wine Supplier: Jackson Family Wines
- Best Small Wine Supplier: Copper Cane Wines & Provisions
- Best Large Spirits Supplier: Bacardi USA
- Best Medium Spirits Supplier: Campari Group
- Best Small Spirits Supplier: Rémy Cointreau USA
- Best Large Non-Alcohol Supplier: Red Bull North America
- Best Medium Non-Alcohol Supplier: American Beverage Marketers
- Best Small Non-Alcohol Supplier: Fever-Tree
Shawn Fox, Partner, CM Profit Group, said, “Congratulations to the 2026 Supplier Award Winners. This year’s winners were recognized for their rapid responsiveness, fresh ideas and insights, top-notch training and education, and a deep understanding of operators’ businesses. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participating operators who generously shared their valuable insights confidentially. To further thank them for their support, CM Profit has made a $1,680 donation to CORE, with $30 donated on behalf of each company interviewed.”
To learn more about the Vibe Conference, visit: https://www.vibeconference.com.
About Vibe Conference
Bringing together national and regional chain, hotel, cruise, airline, and concessionaire beverage executives with the suppliers shaping the market, Vibe delivers the industry’s most innovative conference program. Each year, the application-only event features ROI-driven content, curated tastings, and exclusive experiences designed to spark profitable partnerships and inspire the future of on-premise beverage programs.
About Questex
Questex fuels exceptional business connections—where every buyer and seller interaction matters. Through live events enriched with data insights and active year-round digital communities, we deliver measurable results. It happens here.
Media Contact
Michelle Osborne
Questex
mosborne@questex.com
617.219.8305
