Spirit of Memphis

Welcome to Memphis is partnering with Old Dominick Distillery to encourage the community to show their support of the local hospitality industry. The two previously partnered during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise and distribute over $1 million to furloughed and laid-off hourly hospitality employees. Their latest endeavor, Spirit of Memphis, is a social media relay designed to engage hospitality professionals and their patrons; raise awareness of a new, easy-to-access jobs board specifically geared towards the industry hosted by Welcome to Memphis; and celebrate outstanding customer service. 

"As a Memphian, an employee of Old Dominick Distillery, and someone who's worked in customer service for years, I'm glad to know that Welcome to Memphis is the resource for those in the hospitality industry. Their passion and drive to help inform, educate, and retain those working in hospitality is awesome to see, and to be able to partner with them on their new initiative, as well as in the past, makes me love my city even more,” said Meghan Bridges, Program Manager at Old Dominick Distillery.

Starting on 901 Day, September 1, 2023, Welcome to Memphis will challenge local businesses to create a signature cocktail incorporating Old Dominick spirits. The beverage should be unique to each business and capture the Spirit of Memphis. To participate, customers and employees post pictures of themselves creating and enjoying Spirit of Memphis cocktails in a social media relay form. Posts should tag Welcome to Memphis (@welcometo901) and Old Dominick Distillery (@olddominick), use the hashtag #SpiritOfMemphis, and follow both accounts. 

“The Spirit of Memphis initiative focuses on fun, a feeling of community, and the support of our wonderful hospitality professionals,” said Marcus Cox, Executive Director of Welcome to Memphis. “After customers enjoy a delightful and unique Spirit of Memphis cocktail, we encourage them to visit our newly revamped website to nominate their servers, bartenders, or anyone in the industry for the Pick Awards, which recognizes and celebrates those who deliver authentic Memphis hospitality.”

To make it easy, guests are able to scan a QR code to visit the Welcome to Memphis website to make nominations. In addition, once on the website, all participants can visit the new jobs board, a free and easily accessible resource for both job seekers and employers in the hospitality industry.

“We are proud to work with Welcome to Memphis to continue the love and growth for Memphis and its hospitality professionals. Our last partnership was very successful, and I am excited to see our new initiative in action. Who doesn't love a good cocktail for a good cause?” said H. Wyatt Lowrey, Old Dominick Tennessee State Manager.

To find out more about the Spirit of Memphis campaign, the Pick Awards, and the jobs board, visit the Welcome to Memphis website.