Two new judges have been named to the judging panel of the 2025 Vibe Vista Awards, the premier awards program recognizing excellence in the beverage industry.
Samara B. Davis, Spirits Consultant/CEO of Society Marketing Group, and Dale J. Venturini, Former President & CEO, RI Hospitality Association, will be joining this year's judging panel alongside the already named judges from Johnson & Wales University:
- Brian Warrener, Judging Chair, Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation, Johnson & Wales University
- Michael Sabitoni, Associate Professor & Dept. Chair, Food & Beverage + Travel & Tourism Studies, Johnson & Wales University
Brian Van Gyzen, Associate Professor, Johnson & Wales University
Samara B. Davis
In 2016, Samara created Black Bourbon Society (BBS) after her concern over the glaring lack of diversity and representation in the spirits industry. BBS is a membership organization that brings together African American bourbon enthusiasts from across the country. BBS builds community and advocates for more diversity and inclusion in the spirits industry through its online virtual community, ambassador-led events, and private/corporate whiskey tastings. The Society currently boasts over 30,000 members nationwide. Since founding BBS, she has partnered with many brands including Maker’s Mark, Jack Daniel's and Jim Beam and has produced everything from award-winning barrel picks to uniquely conceptualized brand partnerships.
After many years of studying consumer behavior and honing her skills in marketing, diversity and inclusion, and event production, Samara she fused her expertise to develop Society Marketing Group (SMG). SMG is a full-scale marketing agency that works with spirits and lifestyle brands through all phases of product development from ideation to execution including creative strategy, brand messaging, research/insights, experience design/production, influencer strategy and activation.
Samara is a Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Spirits with Distinction and an Executive Bourbon Steward. She has appeared on the Spirits Network and History Channel, and she serves as a judge for multiple spirits competitions. Learn more about Samara at her website.
Dale J. Venturini
Dale led the RI Hospitality Association as President & CEO for more than 35 years, following her recent retirement in February 2024. She served as the official voice of Rhode Island’s lodging, restaurant, and tourism industry.
Dale was recruited in 1988 by Ned Grace, founder of the Capital Grille, as well as two owners of prominent restaurants in Rhode Island, Twin Oaks and Gregg's Restaurants & Taverns. She was tasked with expanding the advocacy group's reach and services, increasing membership, and eventually becoming the official voice of the industry in the state house and in the community.
Dale also established the RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF) and its Hospitality Training Academy, the Association’s lobbying efforts on behalf of the industry, and its membership-based advocacy efforts.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Dale was at the forefront of developments affecting the hospitality industry to ensure businesses remained operational. Under her direction, RIHA provided financial relief for displaced employees, adapted new training methods, assisted small businesses with SBA loans, launched a nationally recognized “Be Kind” campaign, worked with the Department of Labor and Training on workforce issues, and much more.
Venturini is a Rhode Island Commodore, a past president of the International Society of Restaurant Executives, and a commissioner of the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority. She also serves on the boards of the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Newport Preservation Society. She has sat on numerous boards, including the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), the Council of State Restaurant Associations, the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and more.
Brian Warrener
Professor Warrener began teaching adjunct at Johnson & Wales University in 1995. In 2002, he became a full-time faculty member in the College of Hospitality Management. His teaching focused on food and beverage operations and beverage operations and management. During this time, he has had the good fortune to teach classes across the University in the Center for Food and Beverage Management; the Center for Sports, Entertainment and Event Management; The International Hotel School; the Center for Travel and Tourism; the College of Online and the Alan Shawn Feinstein Graduate School. In 2018, Professor Warrener began teaching primarily in the College of Business and in 2022, transferred to the Department of Management there on a full-time basis. Professor Warrener has twice taught at Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Tourismo in Estoril, Portugal.
Michael Sabitoni
Michael Sabitoni's insight and vigorous attentiveness to industry innovation make him a popular resource within the trade circuit, both locally and nationally. A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, as well as a consultant for major hospitality industry organizations, currently, Sabitoni is the department chairperson for both the International Travel/Tourism Studies and the Food & Beverage Management departments at Johnson & Wales University’s Providence campus. Prior to entering the field of education, Sabitoni worked in both of these fields, primarily in managerial capacities, for nearly 30 years. At last count, he had visited every country except Antarctica. He has taught at Johnson & Wales University since 1992. Michael resides in Cranston, RI with his wife, Dr. Karen Silva-Sabitoni and their rescue puppy, Casside.
Brian Van Gyzen
Brian Van Gyzen joined the Hospitality College faculty of Johnson & Wales University in 2011. With 40+ years in the restaurant industry, including 19 years of management experience, his focus is on Food & Beverage Operations Management courses at the Center for Food & Beverage Management.
The Vibe Vista Awards honor the top performers in the beverage industry for their innovation, execution, management, and ongoing success of beverage programs. Winning a Vibe Vista Award is not just an accolade—it's a testament to a company’s commitment to excellence and its impact on the industry.
Submissions for the 2025 awards program are open now through November 8. Operators are invited to submit their outstanding beverage programs for consideration, with the opportunity to be celebrated as leaders in the industry.
Vibe Conference 2025 will take place March 3-5, 2025 at Town & Country Resort in San Diego, California.
Contact us now to secure your program for the 2025 Vibe Conference:
Donna Bruns, Sales & Sponsorships, (for companies A-L), Email: donna@vibeconference.com Phone: 936-522-6932
Fadi Alsayegh, Sales & Sponsorships, (for companies M-Z), Email: falsayegh@questex.com Phone: 440-454-0239
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