Celebrating Excellence in Wine & Spirits

Honoring the visionaries, innovators, and leaders shaping the future

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Nominations close July 2, 2025

SommCon Imprint Awards

The first annual SommCon Imprint Awards shine a spotlight on the individuals, organizations, and ideas shaping the future of the industry. Through these awards, we celebrate leadership, innovation, and the power of community:

  • Recognizing rising talent and seasoned pioneers
  • Amplifying voices driving the industry forward
  • Inspiring the next generation of beverage professionals

The celebration will take place on September 9 at Rancho Bernardo Inn, during one of the industry’s largest professional gatherings, SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo.

This is your chance to be recognized among the change makers, innovators, and leaders whose whose passion, dedication, and vision are shaping the future of wine and spirits.

2025 Award Categories

Imprint Award

Honoring a lifetime of impact through mentorship, leadership, and service to the industry.

Emerging Leader Award

Recognizing a rising star who is shaping the future of the beverage industry through leadership, passion, and innovation.

Innovation Award

Celebrating groundbreaking initiatives, technologies, or approaches that are redefining the industry.

Sommelier of the Year

Celebrating an exceptional sommelier whose deep expertise, passion for education, and unwavering commitment to service not only elevate the guest experience, but inspire a new standard of excellence.

Bridge Award

Honoring an academic institution whose hospitality program exemplifies excellence in education, industry integration, and preparing the next generation of service leaders.

Voice of the Industry

Honoring those who not only speak up, but speak truth - driving cultural shifts and elevating the broader conversation in the wine, spirits, beer, and hospitality sectors.

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Important Dates

JULY 2

Nominations
Close

JULY 2025

Semifinalists
Announced

AUGUST 2025

Public
Voting

SEPTEMBER 9

Winners Celebrated
at SommCon

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Anyone in the beverage or hospitality industry is welcome to submit a nomination. Whether you’re a colleague, friend, customer, or simply an admirer of someone’s work, we encourage you to highlight their impact.

The submission deadline is July 2, 2025

Yes! Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged. Don’t hesitate to share your own story of impact and innovation.

No, there is no fee to submit a nomination for the SommCon Imprint Awards.

Absolutely! There is no limit to the number of nominations you can submit. We encourage you to nominate as many deserving individuals or organizations as you like.

Each nomination will ask for details about the nominee’s work, impact, and contributions to the beverage industry. You’ll also have the opportunity to share supporting materials (like links, articles, or images) that showcase their achievements.

The SommCon Board of Advisors reviews all nominations and selects a group of semifinalists for each award category. The public is then invited to vote on these semifinalists to determine the finalists. After public voting concludes, winners for each category are selected based on a weighted final score (40% public voting / 60% advisory board evaluations).

Winners will be celebrated at the SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo on September 9, 2025, at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California.

Yes! The awards celebration is part of the SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo, and all registered attendees with a full conference pass are welcome to join. We encourage everyone in the industry to come together and celebrate the achievements of their peers.

We welcome sponsorship inquiries! Please contact us directly at partner@sommconusa.com for more information.

Nominate an Industry Leader

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