Held on 2 - 5 November, 1964, At The North British Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Present:
Mr. Angelo Zola - IBA President - AIBES
Mr. Charles Tuck - Vice-President - UKBG
Mr. Roger Lebet - IBA –Treasurer - SBU
Mr. Louis F. Nota - NBC
Mrs. Halmann - Secretary - UKBG
Mr. Kurt Sörensen - DBL
Mr. Phil. Cormier - CBG (California)
Mr. Yoshiaki Sawai - ANBA
Mr. Eduardo Pipoli - AVB
Mr. Björn Brandtberg - FBSK
Mr. Pedro Chicote - ABE
Mr. Jean Schambourg - Mr. Remy Mille - LBU
Mr. Charles Labatut - Mr. P. Pluen - GABF
Mr. Simon Sigurjonsson - BCI
Mr. Ernst Bardorf - ÖBU
Mr. Rodolfo San - Mr. R. Suarez - AMBA
Mr. Gustave Tops - UBB
Mr. Fred Friede - DBU
Mr. Arne Norman - NBF
Mr. Sven Eric Winhult - SBG

Agenda:
1. Address of welcome by the UKBG President Mr. Charles Tuck
2. Official opening of the Meeting by the IBA president, Mr. Angelo Zola
3. Minutes of the IBA-Meeting 1963, in St. Vincent
4. The President’s report
5. Financial report
6. Spain applies for membership of the IBA
7. I.B.A. Meetings in 1965 and 1966
8. Any and all Business (including point to be rised by members)

Point 1. 
The meeting was opened by
Mr. Charles Tuck, Vice-President of the International Bartenders Association and President of the United Kingdom Bartenders' Guild the 1964 hosts, who extended a hearty welcome to all delegates.
He hoped that everybody was happy with the arrangements, which had been made for him, and he paid tribute to the Scottish Committee and to the U.K.B.G. Secretary Mrs. Halmann, for the invaluable help and for the hard work, which had gone on for many months. He also thanked the many companies in the wine and spirit trade for their wonderful support. 

Mr. Tuck went on to say that, without wishing in any way to detract from the great work which had been achieved by former presidents of the I.B.A. and would, no doubt, be chivied in the future, he felt that in Mr. Angelo Zola they had one of the most dedicated and unselfish Presidents it had been their fortune to be blessed with.
Although he and Mr. Zola did not have the same blood in their veins, he did not think two persons could be so much together in sentiment, thought and spirit. It should never be forgotten that although the I.B.A. family might increase, with the right leadership the organization would continue to go forward.
He felt that the current years were vintage ones in the history of the I.B.A. and he was proud to be associated with them.
He hoped that everybody would leave the meeting that day with the feeling that the I.B.A. at least had made another step in the right direction and, by the Grace of God, would go from strength to strength.

Mr. Angelo Zola, President of the I.B.A. thanked Mr. Tuck for his impressive words and for the kind personal tribute.
There was little he could add to Mr. Tuck's address except to say thank you on behalf of all the delegates and to express their gratitude to the U.K.B.G. and in particular the Scottish Areas, for all the hard work, which had gone into organizing the 1964 meeting.
He did not feel that the U.K.B. G. had any need to fear that their arrangements would not compare with organization on the Continent - the programme set before them in Edinburgh was all that could be desired.

Although the Agenda for the meeting was not a very long one, Mr. Zola said there were some important points to be considered. One of these was a matter that only a few years ago could only be thought of as a dream, but now the I.B.A. were ready not only to talk of holding the 1965 meeting in Buenos Aires, but also to make a decision.

Point 2. 
Vice-President Charles Tuck then asked for a Proposer and Seconder for the Minutes of the 1963 meeting held in St. Vincent. Mr. Phil Cormier, California Bartenders Guild proposed and Mr. Kurt Sörensen of the Danish Bartenders Guild seconded that the minutes be approved.

Point 3.
Mr. Tuck called upon the President, Mr. Angelo Zola to give his report.
The President said his report might be disappointing to some for, as usual, he wrote nothing, but all that he said was from his heart. First of all, because things in our Association are proceeding in the right way and nobody seems to be complaining all our efforts are directed now towards expansion. We hope that all of you approve of the I.B.A. magazine, which we wish to be the voice of the IBA. Most of the delegates have received issue No. 2. All I ask is that we have more and more news from every country. No matter, if the magazine appears once every four- or three months or, as we hope every month.
One of these issues must be dedicated each year to the yearly meeting and competition, and that number I think should always be in the care of the country organizing the meeting and competition. This is why we have had the pleasure to receive here the splendid programme produced by the U.K.B.G. that everyone will have received.
Our next issue (No.4 of 1964) will contain the result of the Edinburgh Competition. No.1 of 1965 will contain more information on the Edinburgh meeting and also details of arrangements for 1965.
In the second 1965 issue we would like to see general news from all the countries; No. 3 should contain more detailed information about the 1965 meeting and No. 4 will again be in the care of the country organizing the 1965 meeting i.e. Argentine.
We feel that nowadays our magazine gives a great opportunity to show the world the prestige of the bartender.
In the years past this has not been possible, but we have made great progress, and here is our opportunity to show not only the Trade but also the bartenders of the world, the importance of the I.B.A. The more magazines that can be circulated the more proof we shall have that our organization is expanding and the more important it is becoming.

Point 4.
Mr. Zola then referred to the entry as a new member of the I.B.A. of the newly formed Spanish Guild under the Presidency of Mr. Pedro Chicote, Madrid. (A special meeting of the I.B.A. delegates had been held on Sunday 1st November to approve the entry of this Guild into the I.B.A. and the participation of its team in the Annual Competition).

Point 6.
Mr. Zola took the opportunity of congratulating Mr. Chicote, so well known personally to bartenders all over the world, on his achievement in forming the Spanish Guild against so many difficulties. The President regretted that enthusiastic colleagues from two countries had been prevented from attending the 1964 meeting in Edinburgh because of passport difficulties.

He referred to Mr. Bohumil Pavlicek from Prague, Czechoslovakia and Mr. Emil Jankovic, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia.
Great difficulties have overcome by friend Pedro Chicote, in forming the Spanish Guild, and he gave the I.B.A. great hope for the future.

Another country in Europe, which also experiences great difficulty, is Portugal.
Mr. Zola remarked that he did not see  Mr. Carlos Pais at the meeting and was informed he had not attended because the meeting was open only to delegates and he has no Guild to represent. Mr. Zola said he felt Mr. Pais should be present and a messenger sent to bring him to attend the rest of the meeting. Meanwhile, Mr. Zola said they would look forward to the day when they could welcome a Portuguese Guild into the IBA.
The President continued that they had a good representation at the meeting from the Argentina Guild to prove to everybody how seriously they are considering their responsibilities for the 1965 meeting in Buenos Aires.
He felt sure that the next meeting would be successful as always. Mr. Zola said that for the European members it would be an extraordinary occasion in that they would have transport difficulties. But from the little he could see, it was clear that the Argentine are doing all they can to make the occasion a great success.

Point 5.
Treasurer's Report.
Mr. Charles Tuck then asked Mr. Roger Lebet, Treasurer of the I.B.A. and President of the Swiss Bartenders' Guild, to give the I.B.A. Financial Report. Cash balance as of 30th September 1963 Sw. Fr. 18.866,45
Cash balance as of November 1st 1964, Sw. Fr. 19.642,15. For the first time gifts had been presented by the I.B.A. to the various companies who had given the lunches or dinners, and he had to pay to the President, then Mr. Kurt Sörensen, and the sum of Sw. Frs. 2,656. 
When I left Lugano at the end of October this year we had the sum of Sw. Frs. 19,240, but since I arrived here Mr. Lebet said, many countries have paid their subscription. One big surprise is that the rich state of California has not yet paid its dues.
They have to pay for the years 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965, making L. 80 in all (It was evident that this was an oversight arising through the transfer of their membership to the Californian Guild, formerly paid by the U.K.B.G.).

Mr. Phil Cormier, President of the Californian Guild said he would take the information back to his Guild and would see that the subscription was paid in two installments.

Mr. Ch. Tuck, Vice-President asked the meeting approval of a similar expenditure on gifts to the I.B.A. sponsors of the various luncheons and dinners.  He and his committee had selected Edinburgh crystal decanters and silver labels.
He felt that whichever country was responsible fore the functions in the years to come should also be able to draw upon the I.B.A. funds for this purpose. There were no objections to this proposal.
Mr. Roger Lebet raised a question regarding Spain who had paid him their subscription.
He wished to know whether this should be for 1964 or 1965. It was agreed that since they had entered the 1964 competition, their subscription be taken as for that year, and they would still be liable for the 1965 subscription.

Point 7.
The 1965 Meeting in Argentina: I.B.A. President Mr. Angelo Zola said that the Argentine delegate had handed its country's proposals to all present at the meeting. Mr. Zola gave time for the delegates to read the matter before and then asked Vice-President Charles Tuck what he thought about European Guilds being able to send competitors and delegates to Buenos Aires in 1965. Mr. Zola continued that he had checked with A.M.B.A. that would be the best time of the year for them.
>From the European bartenders' point of view the first two weeks in November seemed to be the best, and he had been assured that this would be an excellent time of year for Argentina as it would be Spring, and they would be only too pleased if that period could be agreed upon.

As proposed in the letter of Mr. Rodolfo San, the A.M.B.A. President, the Argentinean Guild is in a position not only to organize a five-days meeting and competition, but would also like to have the opportunity of showing the European barmen their country, and would therefore like to extend the visit to ten days.

Mr. Zola pointed out that for the European Guilds the problem is a financial one. Although AMBA have most kindly offered to pay the air fares of each of the Presidents and were negotiating for a special plane to leave Paris on a date to be informed later, there still remained a large sum to be found to pay the fares of the competitors. He did not think the competition would be a fair one if the European Guilds could not send their 3 barmen to compete. The I.B.A. appreciated the difficulties of the long distance travel and have always accepted that such countries as Japan, Argentine, Venezuela and California must on occasions send only one man to represent their team and country.
But with so many European countries to be represented in Buenos Aires, he felt the occasion called for a special effort so that all could be present.
Personally, Mr. Zola went on, he had some ideas about this, but he would like to know the opinions of others present, for he felt that these could be put together to make it possible to send a good representation to Buenos Aires. 
Mr. Zola then asked Mr. Tuck to speak.
Mr. Tuck said that those who had read the correspondence received from A.M.B.A. would have seen that an invitation had been extended to the Presidents of each Guild. This was a wonderful gesture, but to him it was not the first and last thing to be considered.
Without any reflection upon Mr. Sawai who comes to Europe from Tokyo, he did not think that in Buenos Aires the Countries could be represented properly only by the Presidents.
If the offer to hold the 1965 Meeting in Buenos Aires is to be accepted, then we must send a team from all member countries of the I.B.A. because we must never forget that the future of our Trade is in the hands of the young people in the industry. Unless you feel you can send a team, then I do not feel it is worth considering, even although the proposition may appeal to you as a President. The matter should not be considered from that view alone.
“I already know that one prominent company is interested in financing the whole operation, fantastic as this may seem.
This also I do not feel we can accept, as it would be wrong to give preference to one company only to finance a visit to the other side of the world. But I do feel that this offer could be the foundation of a pool of prominent companies.
I think we must accept in principle this very generous offer which has been made by A.M.B.A. and set about finding a pool of four or five prominent people in the trade who would be willing to sponsor the I.B.A. meeting in Argentina”.

Next I would like to say, that I do not feel we should increase the amount of work already being undertaken by A.I.B.E.S. or the I.B.A., and in view of that I would like to suggest that you appoint a subcommittee consisting of your President, Vice-President and your Treasurer (Mr. Zola, Mr. Lebet and myself) to get together and pursue the possibilities which I have outlined.
We could arrange one or two meetings in centers in Europe where people in the Trade may be interested and will work to animate aim of being able to charter a plane for 120 or more to go to South America.
Even if you cannot give us your go-ahead to-day, but must return to your own countries for discussion, then at least you can give us your blessing to form this sub-committee to get moving on your behalf

Point 8.
Mr. Tuck then referred to the I.B.A. competition and the lines upon which it was run. There was considerable feeling, in his own Guild and, he believed, in many others and also in the Trade, that the International Competition as it is run today is not sufficient. He spoke of the Inter-Area Competitions held by the U.K.B.G. that called for the bartender’s efficiency and manner of presentation. He called upon the delegates not to give a decision that day but to go back to their Guilds and consider seriously whether the future competitions of the I B A should be held more on the lines of the old days in which efficiency and general presentation had played a great part.
Mr. Angelo Zola was asked to repeat in Italian what had been said so that this could be translated quickly into Spanish for the benefit of the many members present who had not understood the importance of Mr. Tuck's words.   
Mr. Eduardo Pipoli, who spoke on behalf of the Venezuelan Guild, said that his country would like to see the Presidents of the various Guilds in their country on their return from the Argentine
Mr. Zola replied that he thought that so far as the Presidents were concerned, if this were a possibility, everyone would say yes! Perhaps it could be possible for the Presidents to make this visit on another occasion.
He felt that it would not be possible to give an answer without considerable thought, but in the meanwhile he was most appreciative of the suggestion, which showed great interest in the spirit of the I.B.A.

Mr. Louis Nota, President of the Netherlands Bartenders Club, put forward a point that a year's advance notice should be given of the candidates for I.B.A. Presidency and Vice-Presidency at each three-year change, so that Presidents of the various Guilds would have an opportunity of considering the election with their members.
Mr. Zola thought that this would be a good idea and could be adopted without changing the existing IBA rules, and next year would be the right time to accept the names of candidates for the next President and Vice-President whose term of office came to an end in November 1966.
Mr. Nota: then in the event that you should have to resign, the new candidates would already be known.
Mr. Zola said this was quite a different matter it was not the man who was elected it was his Guild. If this is so, the Guild did not change, although the man might. Maybe two months after a man is elected as President, his own Guild might elect another as their President, in which case he would take over Presidency of the I.B.A. for his Guild.

Mr. Nota referred to the point raised by The United Kingdom Bartenders' Guild that they wished the delegates views on a suggestion that each country comprising the United Kingdom, i.e. England, Scotland and Ireland, should each be able to send a team to compete in the I.B.A. competition. He said he felt that the I.B.A. could accept a Guild from say Australia, but Scotland, Ireland and England are all part of the United Kingdom. To accept this suggestion would make things impossible for the I.B.A. Every country had some division of States all of them would want to be separately represented.
Reference was made to the Californian Guild, and here it was agreed the Guild had been accepted by the I.B.A. as representatives of the United States. Indeed, Mr. Zola said, they would not accept any other members from the U.S.
It would be up to California to enlarge and if necessary to change their name to the U.S. Bartenders Guild.
Mr. Phil Cormier, President of the California Guild remarked that at the time they were formed it would have been bombastic to call them selves the U.S. Bartenders' Guild.
It was agreed that the U.K.B.G. suggestion could not be accepted; only independent countries could join.

Mr. Björn Brandtberg, Finland had a point to rise concerning points given for the competition. It so happened, he said, that in the semi-finals in the previous year, a judge had given only 1 point for a cocktail that in a previous round had received 6 points. He felt that it would be better to give marks in the same way as they had in Finland at their Annual Competition.
In the semi-finals they permitted 1-6 points, but in the finals 1-3.

Mr. Angelo Zola replied that this would be a matter of change of rules for the next competition.
Continuing on the subject of the competition, Mr. Zola asked if it was not time the I.B.A. realized that the competition had no practical value. At present it was only to decide on a particular drink. So much depends upon the individual taste of the judges.
His own taste for instance was for dry drinks, but others could have entirely different opinions.
He felt that experienced men should judge cocktails, retired barmen, who are independent and who are no longer connected with the Guilds.

At the next meeting of the A.I.B.E.S. (Italian Guild) in St. Vincent, they hoped to hold their national competition, and Mr. Zola said he would be suggesting these points at the meeting. He thought the I.B.A. should have no more completions run on current lines, but rather a cocktail and mixing presentation contest. It would be up to the Committee to see that each cocktail is a really well balanced mixture.
The committee would taste it and give gold, silver or bronze awards and diplomas.
This is what he was putting before his own Guild.

Mr. Brandtberg remarked that Finland had held two such competitions in that way and it had certainly proved to be the best method.

A discussion then arose as to the order of the draw for the competition.
In the competition then under way it had proved to have been a mistake to allow this to take place at a full meeting of delegates and it was agreed that in future the draw would be take place before a small select committee only.

The meeting terminated with a word of thanks to the President and Vice-President