TALES OF THE COCKTAIL 2008 ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC IMPACT ON NEW ORLEANS

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA-The results of a recent Visitor Profile and Economic Impact Study for Tales of the Cocktail 2008 conducted by the University of New Orleans Division of Business and Economic Research show the total economic impact produced by the 7th annual event was $7.6 million. State and local governments realized over $560,000 in tax revenue as a result of the five-day festival. Tales of the Cocktail is a global event with the majority of attendees (73.9%) not living in the Greater New Orleans area. International visitors came from Canada (53.8%), the United Kingdom (15.4%), the Netherlands (7.7%), Austria (7.7%) and France (7.7%).

Visitors spent an average of $1,341 during their trip to the New Orleans area. Tales of the Cocktail attracts an affluent visitor (22.5% with incomes above $100,000) who spent an average of $312.70 with the largest proportion on restaurants/meals, lodging, bars/nightclubs and shopping. On average $103.06 per person was spent on daily meals.

While most of Tales of the Cocktail visitors were repeat attendees (41.4%) the event is continuing to attract new visitors each year (58.9%). Tales of the Cocktail features cocktail events such as dinner-pairings, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book-signings and much more. Of the respondents who attended seminars, the majority (63.3%) attended 5 or more sessions and the average number of seminars attended was 6.5.

The vast majority (97.3%) of visitors stayed overnight in the New Orleans area and an overwhelming majority of visitors (94.4%) stayed in hotels. Three-fourths of visitors (75%) stayed 4 or more days in the New Orleans area. The average number of nights stayed was 4.5.

Summary of Additional Findings:

• 94% of visitors were in New Orleans primarily for Tales of the Cocktail


• 59.2% of attendees were between the ages of 36-64


• 93.8% of attendees plan on attending Tales of the Cocktail next year

Tales of the Cocktail has increased attendance 25% from 2007 to 2008. This study shows the huge impact that the event has had on New Orleans. Tales of the Cocktail will only continue to grow and continually be recognized as the premier cocktail event to attend.

About Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail, a culinary and cocktail festival features award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers in the New Orleans French Quarter at five days of cocktail events such as dinner-pairings, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book-signings and much more.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to benefit hospitality industry members, produces Tales of the Cocktail annually. Its mission it so preserve the rich history of the restaurants and bars of New Orleans and the unique culture of dining and drinking famous to the city, while educating locals, visitors, and the hospitality industry about this culinary heritage. The 2008 project will be the Behind the Bar photo exhibit described below.

Tales of the Cocktail announces Behind the Bar Photo Exhibit
New Orleans Bars to be Preserved in Photo Exhibit
Tales of the Cocktail, the annual dining and drinking extravaganza, which is produced by the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, will unveil its newest medium to further their “cocktail cause”. “Behind the Bar” is an exhibit of photographs taken in New Orleans bars and restaurants that convey the “spirit” behind cocktail culture in New Orleans. The month long exhibit will open on Wednesday, October 1st and display photographs selected by a panel of judges including award winning photographer and author, Kerri McCaffety and designer and author, Phillip Collier.

“Behind the Bar” will be on display at Art for Arts Sake this fall, 2008 at the W New Orleans.

W Hotel New Orleans
333 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA

Dewar’s Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Repeal December 5, 2008

Just as ships carrying Dewar's Scotch Whiskey waited offshore for the stroke of midnight on a cold winter night in 1933, today Dewar's eagerly anticipates the Dec. 5 "Repeal Day" celebrating the 21st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that ended Prohibition.

On Dec. 5, 1933, Dewar's Scotch Whiskey became one of the first liquors to be served legally in the country. On Dec. 5, 2007, the brand will commemorate this significant time in U.S. history by kicking off the 75th anniversary year of Dewar's Repeal Day.

We want to remind everyone that a mere 75 years ago, a very significant change was made to our Constitution, The 18th amendment is the only Constitutional amendment ever repealed. It had a huge affect on the U.S. What better time to celebrate?!"

Celebrations of Dewar's Repeal Day are planned in various cities across the nation, including New Orleans, the birthplace of one of the original cocktails.

Why not celebrate this significant day in American history with some vintage cocktails - The Dewar’s Old Fashioned; Dewar’s Highball; Ward Eight; and the Rob Roy.

Five Facts for Repeal Day:

• December 5th will mark the anniversary of Repeal Day; it was on this date in 1933 that the 21st Amendment was ratified and Prohibition was terminated. And, Dewar’s Scotch - the first legal whisky to arrive in the U.S. - hit New York’s South Street Seaport docks the moment the law was put into action. Joseph Kennedy, Sr. (JFK’s father) happened to be the US agent for the brand.


• Now, a lot of people have suggested that Joseph Kennedy was a bootlegger, which he may or may not have been. But what he really was, was the owner of a company named Somerset Importers. Somerset owned the exclusive rights to import Dewar’s Scotch and Gordon’s Gin, and right before Repeal, Somerset stocked up. Big time. Once Prohibition was over, they sold the premium liquors for a hefty profit, and Joe was a rich man.


• The umbrella becomes a clever symbol of the post-prohibition era. Ironically with rain inside the umbrella for many wet days to come.


• To honor the repeal of the 21st amendment many celebration begin at 9:00pm or the 21st hour.


• Many Repeal Day hosts insist the first drink of the evening be non-alcoholic beverage to remind everyone of the dry days of prohibition.

Many Repeal Day celebrations include period inspired dress which for women can include hose and garters (flapper inspired) and for men Fedora’s, Derby or Newsboy caps.

Save the Date! Dewar’s will celebrate in style at legendary New Orleans Bar and Restaurants.

NEW ORLEANS GRANTED OFFICIAL COCKTAIL— THE SAZERAC

JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION BY TOASTING THE ONLY CITY WITH ITS OWN OFFICIAL COCKTAIL ON WEDNESDAY JULY 16th

NEW ORLEANS – July 8, 2008-- Tales of the Cocktail, the most spirited event of the summer begins its five-day celebration of dining and drinking and the history of the cocktail in New Orleans with a toasting event at the Hotel Monteleone on Wednesday, July 16th at 2:00pm. Join Founder Ann Tuennerman, Senator Edwin Murray and House Representative Cedric Richmond as we honor the only city with its own official cocktail. The Sazerac Cocktail has been designated the Official Cocktail of the New Orleans.

WHO:
Senator Edwin Murray, House Representative Cedric Richmond, Founder of Tales of the Cocktail Ann Tuennerman and Tales of the Cocktails first brand ambassador Kevin Brauch, host of “The Thirsty Traveler”.

WHAT:
Toasting New Orleans Official Cocktail, The Sazerac along with Tales of the Cocktail’s first cocktail ambassador Kevin Brauch, host of “The Thirsty Traveler”

Enjoy complimentary Sazeracs, the 2008 Cocktail Competition winner, the Punch and Judy created by Charlotte Voisey and Sazerac cupcakes created by Steve Himelfarb of Cake Café.

WHERE:
Hotel Monteleone, Riverview Room
214 Rue Royale
New Orleans, Louisiana

WHEN:
Wednesday July 16, 2008
2:00 P.M.

WHAT ELSE:

History of the Sazerac
19th century pharmacist Antoine Amedee Peychaud, who operated his apothecary on Royal Street in the French Quarter, invented the Sazerac in New Orleans. Peychaud, a refugee of the slave rebellions of St.-Domingue (which became the nation of Haiti), concocted his own special blend of aromatic bitters, added them to French Brandy, made by Sazerac des Forge et Fils of Limoges, France, along with a little Louisiana cane sugar. This classic libation, over the course of the 19th century has evolved into the drink we know today, the Sazerac, which is composed of rye whiskey, sugar, absinthe (or a substitute), and Peychaud's Bitters. Regardless of whether it was the world's "first" cocktail, the Sazerac is among the first, and likely the Sazerac is the first cocktail born in the Crescent City.

Upholding ongoing traditions that distinguish this part of the country hold Louisiana and New Orleans together. The Sazerac has always been a greeting to first-time visitors to the state as well as a familiar companion to lifetime residents. The Sazerac is History in a glass.

Tickets are on sale now for the most spirited event of the summer. Tales of the Cocktail takes place in the New Orleans French Quarter, July 16-20, 2008, and features five days of delicious events such as cocktail mixing demonstrations and tastings, food and drink seminars, dinner pairings, author meet and greets and more – all presented by the country’s hottest mixologists, bartenders, chefs and authors. Purchase individual tickets, day passes or packages for the largest gathering of cocktail experts in the country. Stay at the legendary Hotel Monteleone, event headquarters for a full-bodied Tales of the Cocktail experience. Book tickets and hotel rooms at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com.