Tales of the Cocktail is initiating the formation of a Diversity Council to evaluate our organization with the goal of developing diversity and inclusion initiatives. The council, comprised of both employees and industry leaders, will be tasked with jumpstarting these initiatives, as well as managing their progress over time. This process will be transparent and each initiative promoting diversity and inclusion will be documented and made available to the public.
“To create an industry that’s truly inclusive, there are a lot of difficult discussions that need to be had,” said Tales of the Cocktail Founder, Ann Tuennerman. “We’re hoping that by bringing a group together to have these discussions we’ll be able to move towards actionable solutions.”
The mission of the Diversity Council is to ensure that every aspect of Tales of the Cocktail’s programs and internal structure is designed to promote diversity and inclusiveness in regard to race, ethnicity, and gender. The council will examine the current recruitment process and demographics of each of Tales of the Cocktail’s programs, including the Cocktail Apprentice Program, the Spirited Awards committee and judges, the Education Fellowship Program, the internship program, the Seminar Selection Committee, the Media Application Review Committee, the editorial solicitation process, and the Preferred Vendors Program.
We have reached out to several individuals who we are are asking to lead the Diversity Council. They will have the authority to autonomously recruit other members of the council to assist them in this effort. Once we have confirmed their participation, we will announce their names and release to them all of the data on our current demographics within all programs. We look forward to their insight and guidance, and we are pleased to be taking these steps to ensure that Tales of the Cocktail will become an even more inclusive and diverse event and organization going forward.
About Tales of the Cocktail®
Founded in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail® has grown from a small gathering of cocktail lovers into the world’s premier cocktail festival. Each year the international spirits industry is welcomed to New Orleans for a week of seminars, tastings, networking events and much more. With 200+ annual events developed specifically for bartenders, distillers and other spirits professionals, Tales of the Cocktail® is the industry’s annual meeting place for the exchanging of new ideas, products and techniques. Tales of the Cocktail® also produces a number of other events and programs such as Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour, Tales 365, Tales of the Toddy and Daiquiri Season, all to further the mission of supporting and growing the international cocktail community.
About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
Tales of the Cocktail® is produced by the New Orleans Culinary & Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS), a non-profit organization committed to supporting, promoting and growing the cocktail industry in New Orleans and around the world. In addition to offering opportunities to learn and acquire new skills through Tales of the Cocktail events and Tales 365, the NOCCPS invests the proceeds back into the spirits industry. Since 2008, the NOCCPS has invested more than $886,000 into programs like the Cocktail Apprentice Program, a tuition reimbursement program, the Apprentice medical aid fund, educational scholarships and a new health and wellness program for members of the hospitality industry.
