Join us at Tales of the Cocktail® 2023

Celebrating the spirit of inclusion

Join us for a two-day event celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and all things hospitality at Tales of the Cocktail on July 24 and 25, 2023.

"Mais yeah" (pronounced ‘may yeah’) is a phrase that embodies the spirit of Cajun hospitality and the welcoming nature of the community. is It literally translates to "but yes" or "of course", and it reflects the openness and generosity of the people who live in New Orleans. At our event, "Mais yeah" represents a celebration of diversity and inclusivity, where everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the unique experiences that we have to offer. At Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, we believe that hospitality should be for everyone, regardless of their background or identity. "Mais yeah" is a way for us to extend that warm welcome to all bartenders and beverage professionals who attend. Come join us and enjoy the spirit of MAIS YEAH!

Why come to MAIS YEAH!

Looking to connect with diverse- and women-owned and led brands? Perhaps you want to make your local beverage community more inclusive. What about hearing from leaders in the industry making a difference? Or even gain insights into reaching multicultural consumers. Maybe, you’re interested in taking your career to the next level. If any of this sounds good to you, then we welcome you to MAIS YEAH!

Scroll down to review our program schedule and plan your agenda. 

A Tales of the Cocktail® tasting room wristband is required for access. Get your Tales of the Cocktail® tickets here.

Join us at MAIS YEAH! for two days of celebration, education, and inclusivity. Of course, we can't wait to see you there.

• Monday, July 24 from 12:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 25 from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

Fountainbleau Room 

Sip on cocktails and wines from our brand partners at our signature MAIS YEAH! portfolio bar, staffed by bartenders from Turning Tables.

Meet and greet our diverse wine makers, distillers, brand ambassadors and founders, and taste their unique creations while learning about their personal and brand stories. We're proud to feature diverse bartenders from the local New Orleans community, employed through our non-profit partner Turning Tables, who will be showcasing their skills and sharing their expertise with guests. 

Meet Touré Folkes, the Founder and Program Director of Turning Tables and his team to learn about their New Orleans-based non-profit.  Turning Tables is changing the current face of hospitality by providing mentorship, cultivating leadership, and creating pathways by advocating for equity in the hospitality industry.  Their training program provides both inexperienced and rising Black and Brown hospitality professionals with culturally responsive education, training and resources necessary to access real opportunity within the industry. Learn more about Turning Tables here.

It's not just about the food and drinks, it's also about serving up critical conversations. Stop by and watch our live Served Up Podcast as we dive into topics that are crucial to creating a more inclusive hospitality industry. Learn more about Served Up here.

Banning a book is a form of censorship that restricts the freedom of ideas and attempts to silence the communities reflected in their stories.  As a platform for diverse voices, MAIS YEAH! will feature a Banned Book Bar, where attendees can donate a banned book to be distributed to Friends of New Orleans Public Library. For each banned book received, Southern Glazer’s will also donate $10 to Turning Tables to support their important mission. Check out our Served Up banned book library here.

To purchase a book to be delivered to our Banned Book Bar, visit our Amazon Wish List and order by July 1.

For those looking to learn how to work with a wine and spirits distributor, launch or grow a new beverage brand, or gain insights into the multicultural consumer, enjoy one-on-one mentoring with Southern Glazer's Multicultural Center of Excellence, where experts will provide knowledge and tips to help beverage professionals break into the distribution tier. Or thinking about making a career move? Meet Southern Glazer’s recruiting team to find out how your skills translate into an exciting career in the wholesales tier. Learn more about Incubator Academy here. Check out our career opportunities here.

Get your Tales of the Cocktail ® tickets here.

Southern Glazer’s has long been committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and continually looks for new and innovative initiatives to make the Company and industry more inclusive. For more information on Southern Glazer’s commitment to diversity visit https://www.southernglazers.com/careers/diversity-equity-inclusion.