Regla Jimenez. Chairwoman of the International Rum Festival Organizing Committee

Q- What´s the festival all about?

A- The Rum Festival will be a perfect timeframe for exchanges among distillers, distributors, retailers, barmen and friends from around the world linked in any way to the realm of rum and its culture. This is an event that comes into being thanks to a traditional good taste for rum all over the globe.

Q- When will it be?

A- It´ll take place from June 6 through 9 this year to mark the 485th birthday of the city of Havana, formerly known as the village of San Cristobal.

Q- How will it be like?

A- There´ll be a tradeshow in which new products will be presented. That will pave the way for doing business and cutting deals, too. There´ll also be a number of master lectures, tours to sugarcane plantations and a sugar mill, plus the International Cocktail Contest in the classical and freestyle categories. The agenda includes a welcome cocktail and a closing dinner, together with the award-presenting ceremony of winners of the International Cocktail Contest and top prizes for the fair´s best designs and best quality products.

Q- Will there be any new rum brands unveiled in the festival?

A- We´ll be presenting eight Cuban rum brands to the international market after posting good sale numbers in the domestic market. They are Cubay, Santiago, Mulata, Santero, Varadero, Caney , Legendario and Arechabala.

Q- What about Havana Club´s participation?

A- You bet the participation of Havana Club will be very important because it´s Cuba´s number-one export spirit and the best known of all its rums. The trademark will be present at the fair and in the theoretical session in which top personalities in the industry, such as Jose Navarro and Sergio Valdes, will deliver master lectures on a variety of topics. By the way, Mr. Valdes is the marketing director for Havana Club International.

Q- Will there be any foreign attendance?

A- We´ve invited a number of personalities from several nations, not only producers, but also marketers and salespeople linked to the rum-making industry, such as packers, bottling companies and case makers.

Q- How many countries will come for the festival?

A- The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico, France, Italy, Spain and others for a total of thirteen nations. Perhaps we´ll see more countries coming in.

Q- Will the Caribbean countries be present?

A- We´re expecting the attendance of the Caribbean Rum Distillers Association. We´re also planning to organize a round table under the title "Cultural Meeting of Rum and the Caribbean," with representatives from different rum-making producers in the area.

Q- Is it going to be a massive turnout festival?

A- Rum is by nature a popular product, and with that view in mind we´ve tried to piece together a festival with a huge turnout, with parties every night.