IBA exstends influence
As the International Bartenders Association (IBA) celebrates its 60th birthday this year, more countries than ever are queuing up to join its ranks.
Following the 2010 congress in Singapore, described as “very lively” with about 500 participants, attention is now turning to Poland, which hosts the next meeting at the Hilton Warsaw Hotel from 5-9 November this year.
The number of member countries on hand to celebrate the milestone will be 57, following the 2009 entry into the IBA in Berlin of Macedonia, under president Darko Angeleski; Romania (president Bogdan Gheorghiu); and Vietnam (president Vo Tan Si).
In addition, new admissions to the IBA this year include Ecuador (president John Alexander Barreno Escobar); and China, whose president is Frank Lee.
Furthermore, three countries have been participating in IBA activities as observers: Korea, represented by Max Kim; Mexico, under its young president Eduardo Adrian Juarez; and Monaco, represented by Giovanni Speziale. Mexico was previously a member of the IBA, organising the 1990 World Cocktail Championships in Mexico City, but all three countries will have to wait another two years before becoming full members.
The roster of new entrants to the IBA won’t stop there: Ron Busman, IBA vice-president for Europe, is in touch with a bartenders association in Moldavia, while Jose Ancona, vice-president for North America, is in contact with bartenders in Canada who would like to rebuild a professional association.
Finally, Nepomuceno Ramirez Gonzales, vice-president for South America, is in touch with bartender associations in Nicaragua, Colombia, Guatemala, Chile and the Dominican Republic.
