With its red, white and blue packaging and USA-CERTIFIED label from Made in USA Industries, a third-party verification company, Salute American Vodka’s patriotic perspective runs deeper than a business mantra. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Pete Kelly as a means of “paying it forward” to U.S. veterans struggling with unemployment, homelessness and post-traumatic stress, the self-titled brand and company donates the first dollar of every bottle sold to nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services for veterans and other American heroes.

In the beverage, supply chain and packaging markets, tradeshow season is in full swing. I recently attended ProMat and ProFood Tech at McCormick Place in Chicago, and will be heading to Las Vegas later this month to attend the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo, which will take place June 26-28.

With nearly 120 years of crafting spirits using pure artesian waters, Siberian-based Mariinsk Distillery in connection wit Moscow-based Synergy Group, created the first batch of its ultra-premium Beluga Noble Vodka in 2002.

The 2017 Women’s March, International Women’s Day and Equal Pay Day are some of the recent national events that have highlighted women’s contributions to society. These events also got me thinking about diversity and women in the beverage industry.

I’m a big fan of movies and eagerly anticipate two events: the Academy Awards and Turner Classic Movies’ (TCM) annual 31 Days of Oscar, which took place on Feb. 26, and Feb. 1 through March 3, respectively. This year, several beverage brands took center stage at Hollywood’s biggest night.