- Top barmen are like celebrity chefs, the word “startender” is being used in America - commented Ron Busman the President of the International Bartenders Association (IBA). The organisation held, this weekend, for the first time their European President's Meeting in Dubrovnik, in the Neptun Hotel.
Fourteen international members of the association met in Dubrovnik to discuss the workings of the organisation and to network. Frano Stjepovic, the President of the Croatian Association of Bartenders, was the host of the Dubrovnik event and commented that “To hold such an event in Dubrovnik is important for the city, we will have the chance to meet colleagues and discuss new developments in the industry.”
Busman added that bartending is currently a very trendy profession and top bartenders are always looking for new ways to improve. “The importance of a bartender cannot be underestimated, a good bartender will not only bring extra business to an establishment but will also act as a good attraction for a bar. A bartender is an asset to an establishment and he/she must be treated as such,” said Busman. Adding that investing in staff is the key to the future prosperity of a bar, hotel or club.
Pepe Dioni, the Vice President of IBA, also attended the Dubrovnik event and commented “When a tourist comes to a destination one of the only people they speak to are bartenders. You will probably only ask a few questions of a receptionist at a hotel but with the bartender you will have a conversation. That is why a good bartender must also be a good communication, the real PR with tourists are bartenders.”