Publisher’s Toast: Nathanson in Captivity

I am now 21 days into that double partial knee replacement surgery I mentioned in my last column (thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and Tylenol donations). Both knees at once was not for the faint of heart. The wonders of modern medicine were on full display, and it has been a success. The recovery has been going quite well, but there are still months of physical therapy ahead. According to my surgeon the operation was textbook and I’m already walking way ahead of schedule. Thank goodness, as being restricted to my apartment has been hard on my soul. Confinement isn’t the ideal for this old dude.

As most of you who know me know, I’m an in-person person. I thrive on face to face contact, which allows my hair to exert its magical charms. There is nothing I like more than mingling with the industry, seeing old friends, meeting new ones. Before the surgery, I hit Big Geyser’s annual demo day. It exemplified everything I love about the industry. There were so many brands displaying their wares and sampling their newest entries. The energy was palpable, the conversations most illuminating. That is the beverage industry at its finest. I wish there were more of these events like it, if nothing else than to give me more chances to visit Long Island City.

I find it admirable that we at BevNET have an array of events large and small that bring the industry together. We cover the country coast to coast with boutique gatherings, Taste Radio meetups, and the like, to enable people from all areas of the country to participate live and experience the beauty of beverage marketing.

Now we turn our attention to our crowning glory, BevNET Live. There is nothing that captures our particular strengths better than this. We’ll have 800 or so energized attendees in my home, New York City, whose vibrancy infuses the entire event. We’ll learn, laugh and catch up with old friends, and make new ones along the way. It is the epitome of all that is good is our industry. It’s the reason I’ve loved my 35-year-career in beverages. I hope I get out of my apartment!