Jack Daniel’s, Uncle Nearest to Host 2nd ‘Spirits on the Rise’ Summit to Promote Diversity in the Liquor Industry
(Image: Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative)
On Tuesday, the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative — the “incubator” created by two Tennessee whiskey brands, Jack Daniel’s and Uncle Nearest — announced the “Spirits on the Rise” summit will return for the second year.
The event is planned for April 15-16 in Tennessee. According to the brands, it will build on last year’s summit with more speakers, networking and opportunities for BIPOC businessmen and businesswomen in spirits to learn from panelists and speakers.
The April 15 programming will be held at the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, and the events of the 16th will take place at the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville.
“Our inaugural event in 2023 was the first-of-its-kind, and everyone who attended came to Tennessee with so much positive energy and an openness to learn,” Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Chief Business Officer Katharine Jerkens said in a news release. “The number of connections made between entrepreneurs, given the platform to share their stories, was a true highlight – not to mention the connections with investors and industry veterans. Every single person walked away with a toolkit for building their brand, and this year will be even more dynamic than last.”
The summit will include workshops and panels on topics such as revenue growth management, distributor management, public relations, funding, route to market and shopper marketing. Like last year’s summit, it will conclude with the emerging brands fair, during which founders will be able to show off their offerings to all at the summit. Last year, Mission Craft Cocktails and Blackleaf Organic Vodka were discovered at the summit and selected to participate in the NJAI Business Incubation Program.
“After a successful debut in 2023, we are thrilled to announce the return of the Spirits on the Rise Summit for 2024,” Jack Daniel’s Global Brand Director Jamie Butler said. “This event will continue to advance the goal of the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative to foster a more diverse spirits industry while also supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs who are looking for guidance and mentorship as they build their business.”
Spirits brands that are majority BIPOC-owned or operated may submit their interest to attend the summit here. Submissions will close March 1 or until the even t is at capacity.
2023’s inaugural Spirits on the Rise summit was attended by representatives from more than 50 up-and-coming brands; executives from Brown-Forman, Uncle Nearest, Hyatt Hotels, ReserveBar and Breakthru Beverage Group; and “key personnel” from JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Collective Equity Partners and more.
The Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative was founded with the goal of diversifying the current and future leaders of the spirits industry.
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