June 16, 2025 (San Diego, CA) — SommCon, the leading conference for wine and spirits education, proudly announces the launch of the Imprint Awards, a new annual program celebrating the individuals and institutions shaping the future of the beverage industry. The inaugural awards celebration will take place on Tuesday, September 9, during SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California.
A platform for the community to uplift unsung heroes, emerging voices, and industry icons, the Imprint Awards spotlight excellence in mentorship, education, innovation, and storytelling across wine, spirits, and hospitality. Nominations for the inaugural awards are now open through July 2, 2025 at https://www.sommconusa.com/imprint-awards/
“The Imprint Awards were born from the stories and contributions we see every year at SommCon – those who are truly shaping the culture, craft, and community of this industry,” said Michelle Metter, Founder and Director of SommCon. “These awards are about recognizing the people and programs that don’t just show up, they move the needle. They build pathways, elevate standards, and create impact that ripples across the industry – not just for their organizations, but for all of us.”
The 2025 Imprint Award categories include:
Sommelier of the Year – Expertise, passion, and commitment to service
Emerging Leader Award – A rising star shaping the future of wine and spirits
Imprint Award – Lifetime impact through mentorship, leadership, and service
Innovation Award – Groundbreaking initiatives or technologies
Bridge Award – Educational institutions preparing the next generation of leaders
Voice of the Industry – Digital storytellers amplifying the craft, culture, and community of beverage
Nominations are now open, including self-nominations, and there is no nomination fee required to submit a nomination. Following an open submission period, the SommCon Board of Advisors will review nominations and select semifinalists in each category. The public will then vote to determine the finalists. Winners will be selected through a weighted combination of public votes and advisory scores and announced live at SommCon in September 2025.
Winners will also be featured in the December 2025 issue of The SOMM Journal, a media partner for SommCon and the 2025 Imprint Awards.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit: sommconusa.com/imprint-awards/
ABOUT SOMMCON
SommCon® is the premier gathering for professionals in the wine, beer, and spirits industry, offering unparalleled opportunities for education, networking, and career development. SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo offers a comprehensive program of wine and spirits education, professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing domestic and international producers of wine, beer, spirits, and brands in the low and no alcohol category. SommCon produces Concours d’Spirits and Concours d’Vin, impartial competitions of domestic and international wines and spirits, in partnership with The SOMM Journal, and SommGo, an on-demand streaming service featuring educational content for the global wine, beer, and spirits industry. SommCon is produced by Fast Forward, an event management and media company that specializes in consumer and business events in wine, beer, spirits, culinary, and hospitality.