This year, the International Live Events Association (ILEA) hosted its annual awards gala with a little Southern flair. Themed “A Night at the Grand Ole Opry,” the event celebrated industry excellence across Texas, recognizing the creativity and commitment of vendors who raise the bar. When it came time to crown “Best Beverage Provider,” Peak Beverage proudly took the stage.
Teamwork and Elevation
“For us, this award is a huge honor,” Ariel, our General Manager in Texas, shared. “Honestly, it’s validation for all the hard work our team has put in, from crafting custom cocktails to seamless day-of execution. We’re elevating every aspect of the beverage experience.”
Peak Beverage has long focused on more than just pouring drinks. With an in-house training program, curated menus, and an obsession with great ingredients and guest experience, we have built a reputation for delivering high-quality, fully customizable bar service at scale.
Behind the Win: The Day of Education Event
One of the standout events that contributed to this year’s award win was the ILEA Day of Education, an all-day gathering designed to inspire and educate event professionals through panels, speakers, and thoughtful programming.
“The theme was ‘Inspire,’ and we took that to heart,” Ariel said. “I challenged our bartenders to step into the creative process and craft cocktails from scratch, something totally new.”
The team debuted two original cocktails:
- The Moon-Tini – a playful lychee martini, reimagined by Peak’s bartenders with collaboration with a local rental company Moontower Rentals. Hence the name!
- Pretty in Peach – a show-stopping mix of peach-infused gin, lavender syrup, lemon juice, and a frothy egg white finish.
“I wanted our team to feel like part of the creative engine of the event. From the speakers to the food to those final cocktails, it was a full-circle experience. And to have that event recognized as Best Overall Event was the cherry on top.”
Growing the Texas Market
Peak Beverage may have its roots in Colorado, but the Texas team is carving its own path, and this award signals just how far we have come.
“When we launched in Texas almost three years ago, we were the ‘second baby’ of Peak,” Ariel explained. “Now, we’re growing fast and setting high standards across the board. This award shows we’re not just playing catch-up, we’re leading the way.”
Ariel attributes much of that growth to strategic investments in training, community building, and showing up for the industry.
“You can have the best product in the world, but if you’re not building real relationships, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “That’s what we’ve focused on, showing people that they can trust us, call us, and rely on us.”
What’s Next?
As Peak Beverage continues to expand across Texas, the focus remains on creating memorable and meaningful experiences for clients and event guests alike.
“Our goal is simple,” Ariel said. “When someone shows up to an event and sees Peak Beverage running the bar, they should feel a sense of ease, like, ‘Cool. I don’t need to worry about anything.’ That’s the feeling we’re chasing, every single time.”