Connecticut Distributors, Inc. held its annual “CDI Experience” at the High Rollers Luxury Lanes and Lounge at Foxwoods Resort Casino on October 3. More than 950 trade guests celebrated the industry at the annual event, with more than 55 supplier representatives from wine, spirits and cordial brands alongside trade vendor education tables. An “All-in Cocktail Competition” highlighted spirit offerings with Mike Knudsen winning the People’s Choice award with his cocktail, Pineapple Express. Rachel Markoja was the Craft Cocktail Winner, selected by a secret industry judge, for her cocktail, Kentucky’s Finest. Signature cocktails were featured at Scorpion Bar, Red Lantern and Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar. Overnight guests were invited to sample Absolut Lime Bloody Marys the next day at Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen. Guests received a signature Riedel glass to commemorate the event.
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- Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) welcomed hundreds of trade guests for its annual portfolio showcase on October 3, 2017.
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- Kevin Dunn, Regional President, East Region, Breakthru Beverage Group; Amanda Barroso, Vine Ventures Brand Ambassador; and John Parke, President, CDI.
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- CDI’s Steve Drew, Business Manager; Bill Steindl, Director of Business Logistics; Kelly Scofield, Business Manager; and Paul Puhalla, Director of Business Development.
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- CDI Registration Team: Katie Trubinski, Business Analyst Coordinator; Robert Bergmann, Accountant; Tyler Herman, Purchasing Coordinator; and Brady Gildea, Finance Coordinator.
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- CDI’s Robert Bergmann, Accountant, Macy Engengro, HR Administrator and Tyler Herman, Purchasing Coordinator, working registration.
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- Mike DePasqua, Beam Suntory and Celi Lupinacci, ADS Spirits.
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- Cindy Richardson, Vice President, New England, Empson USA.
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- Robbie LeBlanc, Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Bogle Winery.
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- Rodney Strong Vineyards’ Brian Horton.
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- Bill Okesson, Wine Account Development Specialist, showcasing Smoke Tree Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
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- Paul Fede, Gooseneck Vineyards; Mariana Burke, Brand Ambassador, Gooseneck Vineyards and Certified Sommelier; Steve Drew, Business Manager, CDI.
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- CDI’s Paul Puhalla, Director of Business Development and Callie Bak, Trade Marketing Manager.
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- Frank Zeleznicky, President, St. Joseph’s Society the Polish Home, Colchester; Steve Slota, Considine Division Manager, CDI and Amanda Pekar, Patron Account Development Specialist, CDI.
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- Jackie Blau, On and Off-Premise Market Manager, CT, Pernod Ricard.
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- Pernod Ricard representatives Delbert Ferguson, Retail Account Specialist and Patricia Clary, Division Marketing Coordinator, featuring Jameson Irish Whiskey.
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- Gary Costa, Diamond Division Sales Representative, CDI and Val Muello, Wine Account Development Specialist, CDI.
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- Bacardi cocktails as part of the “All-in Cocktail Competition.”
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- Mike Knudsen of Hartford Restaurant Group won the popular vote of CDI’s “All-in Cocktail Competition” with his cocktail, Pineapple Express.
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- James Nicholson, Guilford Mooring, preparing his cocktail, Dutch East India Company.
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- Gary Dritschler, State Manager, Campari America and Trayce Santoro, Vine Ventures Brand Ambassador.
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- Barrie Jacobs, Paul Masson Brandy and Vine Ventures brand ambassadors, pouring Paul Masson Mango, Pineapple and Brandy.
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- Rebecca Reicherter, Marketing, Jackson Family Estates; Luis Suarez, District Manager, Jackson Family Estates; and Brian Sweeney, Senior Vice President, Spire.
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- Kerrin Egalaka showcasing Compass Box.
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- Maggie Zetarski, Beacon Brand Solutions Manager and a Beacon Brand Solutions sales model.
Photos by Joe Palisi.
