Kunle Adelabu
From Electro Night to an amazing world class flair performance, the International Drinks Festival proved to be unrivalled.
Powered by Balmoral, the three day festival held between Friday, December 1 and Sunday, December 3, 2017, featuring performances from the music industry’s finest artists and Dj’s like Wande Cool, Show Dem Camp, Ushbebe, Dj Jimmy Jatt, Dj Sose and Dj Lambo.
The event, which was also graced by celebrities such as Orezi, Ketchup, Uriel and Idia Aisien,was held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Also, the event featured intensive discussions among operators, government functionaries and experts during the summit on various issues affecting the drinks industry.
There were also unlimited drinks and fun for participants at the recently concluded festival.
Also live at the festival were world class flair bartenders, Tomek Malek and Marek Posluszny, both of whom literally kept the crowd on their toes with a top notch performance.
To add to the scenery was a Beer Village where beer flowed from dusk till dawn as various types of beer from different brands were served throughout the festival.
Maria Okan of Beat Fm was also on ground to interview exhibitors and guests at the Drinks Africa stand.
The Master Classes were nothing short of amazing as people participated in the learning process of beer, cocktail and wine.
The VIP lounge was the place to be as free drinks and food did not stop till the festival came to an end.
Vendors and exhibitors from local and international drinks industry were present to showcase all types and flavors of drinks known in the world. From Remy martins, Ciroc, Jack Daniels, Maison Routin France to Drinks pro, Lomeedarfresh, Foodpro, Smoothly, Delight, Aquadana, Luxebar and Cocktails, to mention but a few.
The festival kicked off with an educative summit which centered on issues regarding drinks business.
Moderated by Andre Blaize, the first session of the summit had panelists, Dr Patrick Ijewere, Dr Osas Olumesi and Mr Caleb Olumese sharing views on ‘The General Human Well Being and Beverage Industry Personnel In Nigeria’.
Discussants for the second session were representatives from NAFDAC, Mr Dodoyi Westa, LIRS, Mr Orienru Ojetiri and FIRS Mr Ekechi CY. They discussed issues concerning, ‘’The Tax System in the Beverage Industry”.
The panelists expressed concerns over heavy taxes in the food and beverage manufacturing sector and double taxes incurring on raw materials and finished products.
Other issues discussed by the experts were ‘Issues of extortion and taxes’, ‘The Regulation In The Beverage Industry’, ‘Government’s Regulation On The Importance Of Wine And Drinks’, ‘Entertainment and Beverages in the Industry’ and ‘Drinks means Business’.
