São Paulo, June 2023 – The 3rd edition of BCB São Paulo reflected the cocktail market's interest in promoting business, development, updating and knowledge. The event, which brings together some of the main national and foreign spirits brands, attracted 6,133 industry visitors on June 5th and 6th at the Ibirapuera Biennial Pavilion in São Paulo. The number represents an increase of approximately 27% over last year.

“BCB, once again, offered contact with new products and professionals who are references in the international market, in addition to uniting the class even more with two important championships. The growth was such that we had to look for a bigger place for the event, and all this infrastructure and quality helped to attract brands like AMBEV, which participated for the first time,” explains Daniel Pereira, manager of BCB São Paulo.

The variety of products and launches was one of the main attractions of the 2023 edition. Among the spirits that stood out were whiskeys, liqueurs, gins, vodkas, tequilas, fernet and even cocktails like bottled Fitzgerald and Negroni. Visitors could also learn more about recipes, content and technologies and get to know brand acceleration startups and management systems in demonstrations at the stands. 

Exhibitors

Murilo Marques, Brand Experience Manager at Campari, explained that the brand brought a lot of innovative content to the event with the public in mind, made up of bar and restaurant professionals. “We presented information, equipment, techniques and innovation to continue in this constant evolution, all led by the Campari Academy. We brought innovative drinks, such as those served directly from a pressurized barrel, and the launch of Haller Red, our bubble infused with natural banana.”

Brown Forman had a stand for one of their main brands, Jack Daniels, with a space dedicated to the company's history with seven secrets. “We presented a larger menu, with some tests and innovations with more smoked drinks, including options with vegan bacon. We are testing, in addition to the classic Jack and Coke, MaracuJack, Jack Kane Lemonade, and some other things. The feedback we received was very positive,” says Marketing Director Giuliano Odone. 

The exhibitor also promoted the launch of Fords Gin, a classic London Dry Gin, with the presence of the creator, Simon Ford, one of the biggest names in the world of cocktails.

Bacardi, the internationally recognized brand, focused on products such as Bombay Sapphire gin and Gray Goose vodka. “It's important to be at BCB because it strengthens relations with partners. I see the event as a trade fair and our priority is to strengthen relationships and present our brands and drinks. Visitors looked for a variety of products at our stand,” says Gonzalo Olazabal, marketing manager at Bacardi.

Brazil’s traditional spirit, cachaça, was highlighted at this edition and had an exclusive space, organized in partnership with the Brazilian Cachaça Institute (IBRAC), to present five brands: Weber Haus (RS), Cachaça Meu Garoto (PA), Cachaça Magnifica de Faria (RJ), Cachaçaria Ituana (SP) and Cachaça 1922 (SP). “The presence of IBRAC at this edition of BCB São Paulo enabled the participation of five producers from four different states, who were able to promote their products to a qualified public, in addition to prospecting customers and business for the Cachaça sector. The event also featured significant networking to strengthen and share contacts between producers and buyers," says Júlia Ohana, the entity's Coordinator of Promotion and Institutional Actions.

The first edition of the Rabo de Galo Championship was also held at BCB São Paulo. The competition, which awards the best interpretations of this famous drink, a success in pubs that has gained popularity in the haute cocktail world, brought together 31 bartenders. The winner was Fernando Spolaor, with a version that uses Weber Haus cachaça, infused with amburana, a filtering technique with milk in red vermouth, white port wine and Litha syrup, made with honey and curry. In the team category, the trophy was awarded to Cachaça Flor das Gerais.

Diageo had three stands to showcase their beverage portfolio, which includes Johnnie Walker, Bailey's, Tanqueray, Smirnoff, Don Julio, Ciroc, Buchanan's, J&B and Ketel One, among others, and also brought to the event the finals of the national stage of the biggest international cocktail championship, the World Class Competition.

The competition awarded best bartender of the year to Vitória Kurihara, of Duq Gastronomy, from Curitiba (PR). She will represent Brazil in the world finals, which will be held in the country again after ten years, from September 23 to 27. “It would be wonderful to have a Brazilian winner in the world final that will take place in São Paulo. And I will have the support of the place where I work and much more time to train and experience the World Class atmosphere,” said the champion. 

Visitors

The influencer Mustache was present at the event and added: “I think it is very important for the industry, especially the cocktail industry, which has been growing constantly in Brazil and has room to advance even further. I worked for a while in the area. That's where I started recording my first videos and I have enormous affection for this whole area. I was very happy to get to know a little more about the brands, especially those that are starting to make a name for themselves.”

With two years of experience in the cocktail industry, Rand Vinicius Marinho de Souza, known as Rand, a bartender and content creator, highlighted the importance of BCB as an opportunity for bringing together the professionals who move the cocktail industry and companies with quality products, as well as the content agenda. “They were important for showing that the market must have a floor of responsibility and all bartenders must have knowledge of this area of work. The presentations were very interesting and included topics like entrepreneurship, work and, mainly, hospitality.”

Content

The schedule of content for professional updating, knowledge and optimization of techniques to use at bar counters featured a variety of current topics. Curated by Marco De La Roche, the event's director of education, the 26 presentations given by 42 Brazilian and international professionals were organized in two areas - Bar Mentoring and the Content Arena - aimed at providing a comprehensive panorama of the sector with topics in business and marketing, creativity in recipes and use of products that are becoming market trends.

Visitors could attend presentations on different topics such as “From the imagination to the glass: the role of the creative process,” “Latin American spirits and culinary culture from a Brazilian perspective,” “How to sell drinks assertively in your bar,” “Web 3.0 and NFTs – How to benefit from this network in the bartender world' and “Chat GPTender – Artificial Intelligence in the bar.” Other issues such as “Physical and mental health in bar environments,” “Harmonizations” and “How responsible alcohol consumption can be an ally in your business” were also successful in this year’s agenda.

The edition was sponsored by Diageo, Bacardi, Campari, Amázzoni Gin, Beam Suntori, Brown-Formam, Águas Prata, easyICE and a partnership with the Brazilian Cachaça Institute (IBRAC) with support from the National Restaurant Association (ANR).

The next BCB São Pauloalready has a date. It will take place on July 1 and 2, 2024, at the same location, the Pavilhão da Bienal do Ibirapuera. The event is organized by RX.

Get more information and register for the event at: www.barconventsaopaulo.com.br.

About BCB São Paulo

BCB São Paulo is the main spirits fair for bar, restaurant, hotel and event professionals in Brazil and South America who work with drinks. The first edition, held in 2019, was very well received by the sector due to its mix of business, networking and qualified content, bringing together major national and international companies and professionals. BCB São Paulo brings to Brazil the successful event concept from Germany, where it has been held since 2007, and in the United States since 2018. Learn more at www.barconventsaopaulo.com.br

About RX

RX builds business for individuals, communities and organizations. We use the power of in-person events, using data and digital products to connect people by offering experiences and business opportunities in more than 400 events held in 22 countries and for 42 different sectors of the economy. RX is passionate about having positive impacts on society and is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of data-based analytics and decision tools for professionals and corporate customers. Learn more at www.rxglobal.com

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