Back Bar USA founder and CEO Tim Haughinberry: Always in good spirits
Editor’s Note: Robin Leach is working from the cooler climes of La Jolla near San Diego for the remainder of this hot and thunderstorm-ing month in advance of our newly designed website launching shortly. We’ll continue with our guest columnists until his return for Labor Day Weekend.
Today, one of our guest columns is by Donny Borsack about Thursday’s launch of his family’s latest Alex and Ani boutique at Fashion Show mall. Our other guest column is by another longtime Las Vegas resident, Tim Haughinberry, founder and CEO of Back Bar USA, who is always in good spirits. Here’s Tim!
By Tim Haughinberry
I moved to Las Vegas to attend UNLV nearly 30 years ago and have been immersed in the city’s spirits industry ever since. Joining Southern Wine & Spirits after leaving UNLV, I learned the inner workings of the industry from one of if not the top distributors in the nation.
After joining Consolidated Cigar Corp. as vice president of distribution, I saw a niche in creating a rum from one of the most recognized brands in cigars and launched Montecristo Rum, an ultra-premium spirit at a time the market share was increasing.
Through launching a brand nationwide over several years, I came to recognize what makes Las Vegas so special. I also came to identify new needs in the marketplace, as well as yearned to expand my spirits experience into new ventures. I took ownership of Goldmine Tavern in Henderson, expanding my entrepreneurship and skills.
Continuing to see the opportunity for brands and the hospitality industry to work together to maximize the effectiveness of marketing budgets, I put together a plan to connect brands, properties and spirits to create a more unified spirits market.
In doing so, it has been my aim since starting Back Bar USA in 2009 to work toward letting the rest of the world know what I’ve learned: There is no greater city for spirits than Las Vegas. Back Bar USA offers marketing and promotional campaigns, consultation and more for the nation’s leading suppliers, wholesalers and retailers.
Locally, we work with top hotels and casinos such as MGM Resorts International, Landry’s Inc. and Golden Nugget, along with hospitality destinations and nightlife operators, to fit the needs of their businesses. We also connect with consumers through events, from large-scale cocktail and beer events to promotions, including Tales of the Cocktail and AFAN’s Black & White Party.
Our signature event is For the Love of Cocktails, bringing the city together through great food and drinks. Heading into its fourth year in 2017, FTLOC is a three-day event that brings the top mixologists, chefs and brands together for forums, bar crawls and dinners, culminating with the grand gala. There’s a little something for everyone.
FTLOC celebrates Las Vegas as the top spirits destination in the world. I love this city and the opportunities that it offers, with something new and exciting happening every day. This is my home. It means a lot to showcase Las Vegas on a national level and to support the local community.
We started the Back Bar USA Scholarship at UNLV to help the next generation of F&B leaders in the city. Our events have a charitable partner. Thanks to amazing generosity, we raised $20,000 for the Helen David Relief Fund at the last FTLOC. We also partner annually with Aid for AIDS of Nevada’s Black & White Party, which raised more than $130,000 last year.
As we continue to grow and expand, we were excited to take the show on the road this summer to promote Las Vegas and the spirits industry at Tales of the Cocktail, the largest annual spirits conference in New Orleans. Look out for more new-to-market news soon as we stay on the front lines of Las Vegas’ bar and nightlife scene!
Be sure to check out our other guest column today from Donny Borsack as his family launches the newest Alex and Ani boutique at Fashion Show mall Thursday. Robin also has an eye-popping look at superstar singer Mariah Carey’s new photos for her return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.