Photography by Tom Yao @tomyaudrinks
The newly formed Campari Hive Mind is a collective of 13 passionate bartenders and bar owners who regularly inspire their local hospitality community with their creativity. Carefully selected by the Campari Academy Australia team, all members were chosen for their consistent courage to challenge convention, particularly in their outspoken and steadfast commitment to the improvement of the hospitality industry.
The Hive Mind initiative was born from a genuine desire to gain honest, first-hand feedback direct from the industry. “Brands can easily exist in an echo chamber,” says Krystal Hart, Bartender Advocacy & Trade Engagement Manager for Campari Australia. “We have a number of wonderful working relationships with bartenders and venues that share our beliefs, but it is a very real need to expand beyond that and engage with a range of people, to ensure we honestly reflect on how our advocacy plans can evolve.”
This initiative allows Campari Academy Australia to genuinely ‘sense check’ their strategic thinking with industry professionals known for collaborating across multiple brands and mediums. “In helping guide our thinking, we ensure our programs benefit the broader community, and we’ve made sure all states and territories have a voice,” states Krystal Hart.
In mid-March the selected Campari Hive Mind members and the Campari Academy Australia team met in Sydney (except for a few avid travellers), to enjoy a delicious lunch at Continental Deli and to review the advocacy plan for 2023. As a national group, the big ideas were pressure tested and all were invited to share their perspective.
“I’m excited to be launching the Campari Hive Mind in 2023 alongside an almost entirely new Brand Ambassador team for Campari Academy Australia. We’ve got a lot in store for the Australian bartending industry, and we can’t wait for you to see it. Salut!” – Krystal Hart, Bartender Advocacy & Trade Engagement Manager for Campari Australia
The results included an exciting Mexican Spirits Cocktail Competition set to launch in June, a holistic approach to education that will deliver more skills-based training in regional areas, and an immersive workshop for Sydney Bar Week … the rest is under wraps for now.
“The Campari Hive Mind members will not only act as a voice of truth, but will also be variously working with Campari Academy Australia across their programs and content in 2023” Hart said.
“I’m excited to be launching the Campari Hive Mind in 2023 alongside an almost entirely new Brand Ambassador team for Campari Academy Australia. We’ve got a lot in store for the Australian bartending industry, and we can’t wait for you to see it. Salut!”
For more information on upcoming Campari Academy Australia training sessions, events or education don’t forget to register on the website via the QR code or follow
@campariacademy_au on Instagram