The First Annual Vancouver International Tequila Expo (VITE) will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre East. It is sponsored by Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant and the Consulate General of Mexico. Proceeds will benefit the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF), the hospitality industry’s own charity.
VITE schedule
Two Seminars – (Tickets $45 each)
- 11:00 am – 12:30 pm – “Tequila 101” – history, culture, and production of tequila
- 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – “Ancient Origins of Agave Spirits” – the prehistoric precursors to tequila
Trade & Media Tasting (nominal fee including donation at the door to BCHF)
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 PM – Trade and Media Tasting (nominal fee includes donation to BCHF)
Consumer Event – (Tickets $65)
- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Consumer Tasting – where guests to sample the full lines of well-known brands like Tequila Don Julio & Cabo Wabo Tequila, and newcomers to the market like T1 Tequila Uno & Tavi Tequila, and brands not yet imported to British Columbia such as Azuñia Tequila.
Tequila Expo Founder Eric Lorenz notes that “British Columbia consumer choice has languished due to minimal diversity of available 100% agave brands, and thus tequila has not yet gained the same reverence or market-share as other world renowned D.O. spirits. The Vancouver International Tequila Expo is going to elevate the perception of this bold, tradition-laden, world-class spirit in our province.”
Vancouver International Tequila Expo
Saturday, May 12 2012
Vancouver Convention Centre East
Tasting Seminars – $45 each
Trade Tasting 3:00 – 5:00PM – (nominal fee includes donation to BCHF)
Consumer Tasting 6:00 – 9:00 PM – $65
About the Vancouver International Tequila Expo: The Vancouver International Tequila Expo was conceived in 2011 and is Western Canada’s largest festival devoted to growing the tequila category and building a strong community of Canadian aficionados of Mexico’s most well-known spirit. The First Annual Vancouver International Tequila Expo (VITE) Founding Partners are Eric Lorenz, Manuel Otero, Mirko Morhac and Darryl Lamb. The Expo has chosen the BCHF to be the benefiting charity.
About the BCHF: Formed in 2006, the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial support to individuals within the hospitality community who are coping with extraordinary costs arising from a serious health crisis. Since its inception, the Foundation has expanded to also award scholarships and bursaries to students enrolled in hospitality programmes.
– The First Annual Vancouver International Tequila Expo (VITE) was announced today by Founding Partners Eric Lorenz, Manuel Otero, Mirko Morhac and Darryl Lamb. The event will take place on May 12, 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and is sponsored by Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, Mexico Tourism Board, ProMexico and the Consulate General of Mexico in Vancouver. Proceeds from the event will benefit the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF), the Hospitality Industry’s own charity.
“Tequila is a spirit with a protected Denomination of Origin (D.O.) status like those of Cognac, Armagnac, Single Malt Scotch and Champagne. It derives from a unique mix of Old World and New World tradition, with centuries if not millennia of rich history in every glass,” said Mr. Lorenz. “Here in British Columbia consumer choice has languished due to minimal diversity of available 100% agave brands, and thus tequila has not yet gained the same reverence or market-share as other world renowned D.O. spirits. The Vancouver International Tequila Expo is going to elevate the perception of this bold, tradition-laden, world-class spirit in our province.”
Join dozens of tequila producers and brands and hundreds of attendees in an exploration of Mexico’s most famous agave spirit. The General Public is invited to the Grand Tasting Hall on May 12, from 6 PM to 9 PM for an entry fee of $65.00. Attendees will be able to sample the full lines of well-known brands like Tequila Don Julio & Cabo Wabo Tequila, lesser-known newcomers to the market like T1 Tequila Uno & Tavi Tequila and brands not yet imported to British Columbia such as Azuñia Tequila.
A Trade and Media Tasting will be held on May 12 from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Expo site for a nominal fee. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the BCHF. Tasting Seminars will also be held early on the day of the Expo, for imbibers wishing to learn about the history, culture, and production processes of tequila in Tequila 101, or about the prehistoric precursors to tequila in “Ancient Origins of Agave Spirits”. Additional seminars will be announced in April. Finally, Tasting Menus will be featured at a number of eateries and cocktail bars around Greater Vancouver.
Further details can be found at www.vancouvertequilaexpo.com. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 16 at 10 A.M. atwww.ticketstonight.ca. Additional exhibitors, sponsors, seminars, and participating restaurants will be announced as they join the event.
