Women Leading Rum heads to Madrid

The Rum Lab will host the inaugural Women Leading Rum conference in Madrid next month in parallel with its first Europe event.

The first edition of the ‘Women Leading Rum, Europe Conference’ will be held alongside The Rum Lab’s inaugural Spain Rum & Gin Expo in Madrid on 26 April. The event will take place at the Meeu exhibition hall.

A welcome cocktail event for the conference will be held on Thursday 25 April with rum-based cocktails and networking opportunities.

The event will be introduced by Larissa Arjona, president of the Women Leading Rum organisation, and will feature master blenders, brand ambassadors, bartenders and other personalities from the rum sector.

Awards to visionary women and industry leaders will be presented during the day of the conference as part of The Ultimate Awards.

“It is an opportunity to meet each other, share experiences and knowledge in person, and consolidate this group of women leaders in the industry,” said Arjona. “This event will also be crucial to recognise the trajectory of women who have left a mark and who continue to make a difference in the industry, thanks to their innovations and strategic visions.”

The conference features three forums: ‘From Alambique to Vision: Transformation Distillation’, ‘Strategies to succeed in European markets’, and ‘Transcending Aromas: A Sensory Journey by Spirituosos’.

‘From Alambique to Vision: Transforming Distillation’ will look at how distillation is evolving and how women are leading this transformation. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from master distillers about how they are redefining what it means to create high-quality rum and how their work is influencing the future direction of the industry.

‘Strategies to succeed in European markets’ will see market strategy experts share insights and tools to build brands, find market niches and adapt products to the tastes of European consumers.

Meanwhile, the sensory journey workshop will guide drinkers through the sensory profiles of rum.

On Saturday 27 April, there will also be a ‘Bliss Experience’, which will include surprises for the participants.