Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/148134
induSTRy SpOTlIghT Operation Homefront A t the Cradle of Aviation in Long Island, NY, Josh Cellars presented a $10,000 check to Operation Homefront's Tri-State Field Office on April 25. The organization is a not-for-profit that provides emergency assistant to military personnel and their families. On hand to accept the check on behalf of New York–based military service families was Kevin Planz, Staff Sargeant General, his wife and youngest son. —Breanne DeMore Alison La Ferlitam Executive Director of Operation Homefront's Tri-State Field Office; Jim Schleifer, Division Vice President, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits; Staff Sargeant General Kevin Planz and his wife Kim and son; Carolyn Esposito, Josh Cellars. Come to the New York Holiday Buying Show! C onnecticut's RDP Group has announced the dates for its 2013 Holiday Buying Show, the East Coast's largest bar, restaurant and retail professional gathering. The 2013 show takes over the Javits Convention Center in New York City September 9–10, 2013. "Timing and location are everything," says RDP's Steve Wesler. "We're dedicated to providing a comprehensive experience at the leading edge of the holiday buying season: from exhibition to education, from tiny handcraft to mass market, from competitions to charitable efforts." The 2013 show features more than 400 exhibits with the newest products, services, technologies and ideas for exhibitors and delegates alike to take their businesses to the next level. Show guests can network and learn from thousands of like-minded experts, brands and mixologists from every corner of the hospitality industry to energize their businesses. The show boasts an outstanding seminar series with topics ranging from "Boutique Distilleries" to "Learning How to Make More Profits While Working Less." This season the show is proud to welcome The U.S. Drinks Conference with its outstanding lineup of speakers and topics; see www. usdrinksconference.com for details. This year marks the second year of the show's epic New York Cocktail Competition and the debut of a number of brands, notably a new Mongolian vodka: Soyombo. Competitors will create, demonstrate and sample their creations before a panel of distinguished judges in the hopes of winning not only the coveted title, but also cash prizes amounting to $3,000. The SIP Japan Pavilion will feature more than 60 brands from Japan with tastings and demonstrations along with education to introduce sakés and shochus to the show attendees. And this year craft is king, with sampling from the Emerging Brands Pavilion, the Craft Spirits Pavilion and the Craft Beer Pavilion. Finally, the show is showcasing Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry, a national fundraising event that helps ensure no child in America grows up hungry. During the show month, participating restaurants raise funds in a variety of ways to support the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America. Founding partner the National Restaurant Association sponsors the program, along with American Express, Ecolab, ONEHOPE Wine, SCA, Food Network and Clear Channel. The show urges exhibitors and attendees alike to visit DineOutForNoKidHungry.org and participate. "We're providing fun along with the serious side of the business," Wesler concludes. "We've got a great kickoff party on the eve of the show sponsored by Shadow Beverages. We're looking forward to welcoming the world to New York." 12 / the tasting panel / august 2013 TP0813_001-33.indd 12 7/24/13 9:46 PM