(Recipient Lynnette Marrero, the 2025 Industry Influence Award, blended cocktails. Marrero is respected for his influential work as a mentor, educator and hotel innovator.
Respect innovators to shape the future of hotels
At the heart of this year’s Bar and Restaurant Expo, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center exhibition on March 25, is a simple but powerful reminder: Hotels are about people first.
Industry Awards in 2025 (including Industry Excellence Awards, Industry Influence Awards and Vendor Awards), promote business with purpose, creativity and commitment to culture.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners! From redefining guest experience to creating groundbreaking products, these leaders and innovators are setting new standards for success,” said Tim McLucas, vice president of Bar & Restaben Group. “We are proud to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the industry.”
Few people embody this spirit more clearly than Lynnette Marrero, who has won the Industry Influence Award for his work as a mentor, educator and innovator. Marrero, chief bartender Delolaco-founder Speed frameand educators Master Classhas long been the leader in reimagining the lasting hospitality.
“For me, the impact is about the legacy – your construction lasts for you,” Marrero told Exhibition City News After receiving the reward. “The best impact can happen when other people shine because of reasons you help in place.”
For Marrero’s work covers cocktail education, beverage brand development and cultural development, and the recognition of this award is more than just resumes, reflecting a long-term commitment to inclusion and sustainability across the industry.
“When I started bartending, not many women (especially Latino women) were represented in leadership,” she said. “Sometimes, I had to push to take it seriously…but I also learned that the battle to see is not just personal success, but to make sure that others don’t have to fight after you.”
This recognition was obtained within a week, which also led to the best of independent bars, restaurant design, community leadership and supplier innovation.
Among the winners of the 2025 Excellence Awards, Tell your friends in Scottsdale, Arizona, was named Bar of the Year, while Ava Vitale of Crave, Rockford, Illinois received Bartender of the Year honors. The Manor Bar in Montecito, California received the best cocktail program, known for its creative drinks and high service.
Las Vegas has its own winner in Livio Lauro Europe and Master your cup Win him the Best Hotel Training Program Award. Lauro’s training platform is known for its commitment to functional bartender design and bartender education, which reflects both operational insight and cultural fluency.
Other winners include:
- Chef of the Year: Guy VakninNew York City, New York City
- Community Leadership Award: Family MealNew Orleans, Louisiana
- Design of the year: BasqueNew York, New York
- Restaurant of the year: AnixiNew York, New York
The Supplier Award, voted by Expo participants, focuses on outstanding products shaping bar and restaurant businesses:
- Best Alcohol Drinks: Sun Cruiser Classic Ice Tea
- Best Entertainment Products: DJ Trivia and DJ Bingo
- Best equipment or bar supply: Barfly hybrid equipment
- Best Food/Producer: Tater bucket
- Best non-alcoholic products or mixers: Heineken 0.0
- Best Technical Products: Toast, Inc.
As the bar and restaurant fair continues to grow in scope and influence, its rewards program promptly involves the direction of the hotel and who is helping it get there. Whether through design, training, community engagement or guidance at the bar, this year’s winners prove that leadership in the hospitality industry has nothing to do with visibility, which is related to lasting impact.
Marrero told ECN. “Trends come and go, but real innovation is about understanding flavors, culture and what makes people change.”
(Tagstotranslate) Bar and Restaurant Expo (T) Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)
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