The Special Events Program provides customers with an exciting and dynamic shopping experience that is designed to engage customers in a discovery of the world of beverage alcohol.
A Special Event is an ideal opportunity to promote beverage alcohol products directly to consumers in an informative and entertaining fashion. Food and drink pairings, cooking demonstrations, product tastings, special appearances, educational seminars and other additional activities are some of the interesting components that can be part of your event.
Team up with a licensee or bring in your own chef to prepare inspiring culinary dishes, or integrate your event to the in-store thematic. From book signings to gourmet food demonstrations, educational seminars or lectures featuring industry guests, the possibilities are endless.
With the Special Events Program the LCBO expects to:
- Increase sales of featured products and related product extensions.
- Integrate events with ongoing promotional themes and programs.
- Create a dynamic and engaging shopping environment for customers.
- Emotionally engage the customer by providing a dynamic shopping experience.
- Up-sell customers to more premium products.
- Educate customers on different uses for beverage alcohol (i.e. cooking).
- Increase time spent in store.
- Encourage frequent visits to stores.
- Attract new customers.
- Promote products in a socially responsible manner.
Integrated Events
Please consider the Promotional Turns and the seasonal nature of your products when booking your events. The LCBO strives for integration at all points of customer contact. Special Events that integrate with the Promotional Turns will receive priority over those events that do not feature a participating product. The LCBO reserves the right to schedule events to ensure supplier product promotions integrate with the in-store programming.
Rate information
There is no bar rental charge for samplings that take place in the Event Kitchens. (Exception: If you hold your event at one of the Tasting Bars at Store 10, you will see a "BAR" charge of $17.25 plus Tax on your invoice.) The $9.00 flat charity fee is charged for every sampling at all locations.
Supplier Responsibilities
Suppliers are responsible for providing the following items:
- Product demonstrators who are SMART Serve certified and have completed the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services on-line training module entitled “Serve-Ability: Transforming Ontario’s Customer”.
- Appropriate food match for the estimated number of guests.
- Confirmed product listings and availability at each of the locations you wish to hold events.
Promotional Support
The LCBO will promote participating brands in the following ways:
- In-store signage promoting the event for one week prior to the event, including the "What's On" board (select approved events).
- Custom signage for selected events (where approved).
- A display of the product in the demonstration area and other approved areas.
- Web site event descriptions (www.lcbo.com).
Participating Stores
| Full Service Kitchens | |
| 10 | Summerhill, Toronto |
| 38 | Rideau Street, Ottawa |
| 149 | The Kingsway, Toronto |
| 355 | Bayview Village, Toronto |
| 367 | The Roundhouse, Windsor |
| 412 | Nepean Crossroads, Ottawa |
| 573 | Millcroft Centre, Burlington |
| Premium Tasting Rooms | |
| 10 | Summerhill, Toronto |
| 38 | Rideau Street, Ottawa |
| Tasting Rooms | |
| 495 | Guelph |
| Specialty Tasting Bars | |
| 10 | Summerhill, Toronto (2 Tasting Bars) |
| 355 | Bayview Village, Toronto |
| 452 | Avenue Road, Toronto |
| 486 | Olde Oakville Market Place, Oakville |
There are opportunities to host an experience-based event at the centre marketplace tasting bars at store 355, 452 & 486. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Key Event Times
Key event times:
Thursdays 4 -8 pm
Fridays 4 - 8 pm
Saturdays 12 - 4 pm or 1 - 5 pm
Participation Guidelines
Food Match
Supporting the mandate of Social Responsibility, all events must have
a food match in sufficient quantities for the expected attendance. If the
food match is depleted, the tasting must end. An appropriate food match in an Events Kitchen pairs your
product with a chef, licensee or caterer. Peanuts, pretzels and chips
are not considered appropriate food matches.
All Event Kitchens are fully-equipped with pots, pans, serving utensils, platters, etc., which your chef may use to prepare and serve your food match on-site. Please discuss your chef’s needs with the in-store Special Events Coordinator. Note: At Special Event locations only, the LCBO will provide disposable tasting cups, plates, napkins and cutlery to support your event.
Specialty Tasting Bars
(applies to LCBO Summerhill only)
The requirements for food matching at the two available Tasting Bars
at the LCBO Summerhill location are similar to those of the Events Kitchen
(i.e. one-bite appetizers, gourmet cheese & fruit platter etc.);
however, the food match should be pre-plattered as these fixtures cannot
accommodate on-site food preparation.
Special Event Tasting Guidelines
Tasting guidelines must be followed during all Special Events.
- A maximum of two products may be offered (unless otherwise approved).
- Each customer is allowed one sample of each product to a maximum of two samples (unless otherwise approved).
Maximum Serving Sizes
(Based on alcohol content by volume)
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Please note your product must be listed at the store you wish to have your event. Holding an event does not guarantee permanent product listings. Please discuss listing opportunities with the Store Manager prior to booking your event.
Supplier Code of Conduct
- The supplier is responsible for ensuring that all Special Events are conducted in a socially-responsible manner.
- Suppliers or their sampling representatives are not to consume alcohol while the tasting is taking place.
- The sampling station must be staffed at all times during the event. Open product must not be left unattended.
- Use of cell phones during the scheduled event period is not acceptable.
- Suppliers who repeatedly miss events or start their scheduled events late are subject to review of future bookings.
- All servers or product representatives are expected to arrive in business attire. Jeans, shorts and tank tops are not acceptable.
- Product demonstrators should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the event and allow 30 minutes after the event for clean up.
Supplier Insurance Requirements
Permitted Promotional Material
Approved:
- Product information handouts.
- Recipe cards.
- Tent cards.
Any other P.O.P. requests should be included on your application form and are subject to approval. Please remember, any items you bring with you on the day of the event, should be removed at the conclusion of your event. Any unused items will be recycled or disposed of.
Special Events Contests (optional)
Suppliers may conduct an in-store contest in conjunction with a special event, with prior approval. Contest details should be included in the application.
- Contests are limited to customer mail in, online, 'text to win' contests. The LCBO does not offer the opportunity to collect ballots through ballot boxes in stores.
- Ballot collection and draws must be managed by the supplier.
- No purchase is necessary for ballot entry.
- Distributing the prize and completion of all waivers is the suppliers’ responsibility.
Applications
Special Events tastings are booked on-line. To access the system, agents must fill in all mandatory fields of the Sign-Up Form.
Click
here to download a copy of the Sign-Up Form.
Courses Offered
The LCBO is committed to providing product knowledge and entertaining ideas for our customers. Currently, Wine Appreciation, Tutored Tastings, Cooking Classes, Private Events and Lifestyle Events are available in many of our Full Service locations.
Participating Stores
10, 38, 149, 329, 355, 367, 412, 573
Tasting Room Only/No Cooking
Classes
495
Corporate/Closed Events
Event Kitchens and Premium Tasting Rooms offer a great space for private events. Consider bringing your Winemaker, Master Distiller or Brew Master to one of these spaces for an evening with invited customers, media, licensees, client appreciation or other events. Events Kitchens provide a full-service kitchen and seating for 25, while the Premium Tasting Rooms offer a more intimate setting with seating for 18. Product maximums will vary, and private events include a fee and require a cash deposit upon booking. This space is available for rental based on availability. To discuss your proposed Special Event, email Special Events at: specialevents@lcbo.com or contact the store directly.