Panel Talk: Women of the Drinks Industry
Eleni Nikoloulia is Member of the BCB Board of Education and will host the Panel Talk.
In the bar scene women are still often overlooked. BCB wants to shed more light on this issue with a panel discussion "Spotlight: Women of the Drinks Industry" hosted by Eleni Nikoloulia. We talked with her about what visitors can expect from this session.
With her expertise and love for the bar industry, Eleni Nikoloulia is a well-known member of the community. Last year was her premier as member of the BCB Board of Education, this year she will host a panel on the Main Stage with a very important topic.
BCB: Eleni, why did the BCB Board of Education decide to include a female panel talk in this year’s programme?
Eleni Nikoloulia: As a woman myself, and as I am lucky enough to travel around the bar world, I am very happy and proud to witness all these wonderful women thriving in all sectors of the bars and spirits world. The goal of this panel is to showcase some great examples of powerful and successful women, and to inspire others to further develop their skills and confidence, to build better communities and to generally thrive in their business.
BCB: Who will take part in the panel discussion?
Eleni: In the panel we are going to hear the powerful voices of: Kaitlin Wilkes Back, Spirits Consultant and member of Celebrate Her, Margarita Sader, Co-Owner of Paradiso/Barcelona and Gina Barbachano bar manager from Hanky Panky/Mexico. The modifier of the panel is me.
Margarita Sader, Co-Owner of Paradiso in Barcelona (left) and Gina Barbachano, Barmanageri of Hanky Panky in Mexiko (right) wil be part of the Panel Talk.
BCB: What topics will be in focus of the discussion?
Eleni: Growing a safer and more supportive space for women in bars, the importance of work-life balance, the cultural differences as well as the very important topic of financial planning, will all be discussed during this session. It is the time for our industry to identify the barriers that prevent women from progressing in their careers, and to find actual ways to promote diversity and inclusion.
BCB: What can BCB visitors learn from this session?
Eleni: The goal of this panel is to amplify the female voices and to inspire as many people as possible to help elevate and to equally financially support women in the hospitality industry to progress their careers. Promoting equality and showcasing the actual problems is also crucial but most of all I think it is very important to prove, through the voices of successful women that we can make it and that it is beautiful to support each other.
Kaitlin Wilkes Back, Spirits Consultant and Member of Celebrate Her, will as well participate in the Panel Discussion.
BCB: Why is this for you personally a very important topic?
Eleni: As a woman in this industry, I am always proud and keen on amplifying all the female voices out there through everything that I do. This panel is very important to me as well as for the rest of the bar industry and it is a great honour to be part of BCB which supports all the great voices out there.
