First Annual Vancouver International Tequila Expo

March 19, 2012 (Vancouver, BC) – 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)

1.       11:00 am – 12:30 pm – “Tequila 101” –  history, culture, and production of tequila

2.       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

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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. www.vancouvertequilaexpo.com 

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. www.bchospitalityfoundation.com