Paramount Liquor took over The Timber Yard in Melbourne this week to host its Future Proof industry event.

More than 500 guests enjoyed highlights including the Monkey Shoulder Mixer Truck, which rolled into town for the event with it’s 12-metre cocktail shaker spinning; Sheepdog Peanut Butter Whisky sampled from ‘Peanut’ the fluffy sheepdog truck; the Red Bull DJ Jeep; and the opportunity to test basketball skills at the Hennessy hoops.

Future Proof is an event focused on enriching conversations and informative insights about the liquor industry.

“Excitement levels were high last night as guests enjoyed an immersive and memorable evening of drinks, discussion and discovery,” said Paramount Liquor CEO Nathan Rowe.

“My hope is our customers across Victoria left the event with a positive outlook for the future of the industry.”

Following on from the successful Future Proof panels hosted in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, three panels were held last night by industry leader Jane Ryan.

In the first panel, Future Proof Your Brand, guests sipped on an OK! Sparkling Margarita Seltzer or a Starward (New) Old Fashioned while listening to Mucho Group General Manager Daisy Tulley and Starward Whiskey Founder David Vitale share practical advice on how to develop branding and marketing to create innovative hospitality experiences.

For the second panel, Future Proof Our Industry, Ryan welcomed multi-award-winning bartender Millie Tang from The Gresham, Maybe Sammy Venue Manager Sarah Proietti, House of Pocket CEO & VP at YCK Laneways Karl Schlothauer. The
group explored how to build a successful hospitality career, covering leadership strategies, wellbeing initiatives, and career progression insights.

The final panel, Future Proof Melbourne, saw Atlantic Group Founder & Managing Director Hatem Saleh, owner of Caretaker’s Cottage Matthew Stirling and respected food communicator Dani Valent deep dive into the emerging trends, challenges and innovations shaping Melbourne’s hospitality industry and, importantly, strategies to thrive into the future.