Media coverage was extensive. Ads in the Miami Herald Weekend and Tropical Life sections, and a chance to win "Who wants to be a Rum Judge?" on Miami.com. A full week campaign in the Sun Sentinel both online and in print. An extensive online campaign with Miami New Times as well as print across 2 weeks. Digital Billboards with ClearChannel Outdoor helped bring home the message. A robust radio campaign with on-air celebrity Doc Rino on Big 105.9 as well as WIOD talk radio and The Beat 103.5FM. Deco Drive television show produced spot on WSVN about Robert Burr, a man who "gets paid to drink rum." Partnerships with Chilled Magazine and more than three dozen trade and consumer publications created broad awareness.

Online presence was overwhelming. There were many dozens of blog entries, interactive contests and promotions -- and email blasts to more than 40,000 targeted consumers. Rum bloggers came from as far away as London, Rome, Scotland, Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Jamaica, California, Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans and New York. Local media was completely saturated with event coverage as the word spread throughout the social media networking community in South Florida.

VIPs were delighted. More than four hundred very important persons came to Miami Rum Renaissance from all over the world to enjoy ten outstanding VIP Parties around town at some of the finest bars, restaurants and nightclubs in South Florida. Mixologists, bartenders, store owners, managers and buyers were among those discovering more than 100 fine cane spirit products at the show. The master blenders and distillers, the brand ambassadors, the judges and pundits rubbed shoulders with rum enthusiasts from near and far.

Competitions empowered great exposure. The RumXP International Tasting brought two dozen of the world's most respected rum experts to the festival for a prestigious blind tasting competition where the best rums were richly rewarded and recognized. The International Tiki Face Off Competition pitted the best barrtenders in the UK against the best in the US, generating a tremendous amount of positive publicity for rum brands, tropical tiki cocktails and the venues represented by these renowned mixologists. The Barritt's Ginger Beer competition challenged amateurs and professionals from around the United States to present their finest cocktail recipes using this exotic ingredient, engaging more than one hundred mixologists and producing many dozens of refreshing new drinks.

Rum variety was astounding. More than 100 spirits from virtually every rum producing country in the Western Hemisphere were savored -- from the most notable birthplaces of classic cane spirits -- inspired by their unique cultures, tropical locations and exotic influences.

Celebrity Seminars were informative. Attendees enjoyed presentations by famous rum legends like Ian Burrell, UK Rum Ambassador, Phil Green, from the Museum of the American Cocktail, Riki Brodrick from Trailer Happiness and Jeff "Beachbum" Berry's talk about Don the Beachcomber, Tiki's Big Daddy. John Meisler gave a great presentation on the Rums of Puerto Rico. Brand Master David Cid told the story of the Bacardi family's rise to become the largest privately held spirit company in the world. Jurgen Diebel spoke about the technologies and the art of creating award-winning rums in Peru. Ricardo Henriquez presented a program about the exceptional rums of Abuelo in Panama.

The setting was ideal. The Raleigh South Beach Resort's Oasis private beach and the luxury cabanas provided rum companies with lush, tropical settings in which to display and serve their brands, the perfect context for reflecting the easy-going, fun-loving nature of our rum enthusiast lifestyle.

American Rums were well represented. Attendees were treated to some hard-to-find gems made in the United States, several of which won awards in the RumXP tasting competition. We'll be keeping our eye on these up-and-coming brands produced by some very talented and passionate teams across the USA.

Gifted Rums Guide was Updated. The latest edition of Robert Burr's acclaimed Gifted Rums Guide was released at the festival, with feature articles and tasting notes on hundreds of great rums.

Truly, rum is enjoying a renaissance. More than one thousand people left the Rum Renaissance events with a new-found enthusiasm and understanding of the noble spirit of the new world. They are proclaiming their discovery and delight to their friends and family far and wide, as newly appointed rum ambassadors, set off on their own further discovery of the fascinating world of rums.