Bourbon Women is pleased to announce the 2024 SIP Scholarship Program funded by the Bourbon Women Foundation. Bourbon Women is a community that believes in paying it forward, helping develop new talent and professional connections in any industry, especially the spirits industry. Each year hundreds of Bourbon Women gather at the SIPosium National Conference for an epic four-day whiskey education conference that includes both consumer and industry attendees.
The SIP Scholarship Program gives individuals interested in moving into the spirits industry or furthering their careers access to the Bourbon Women SIPosium National Conference, August 15 – 18, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville. “The SIP Scholars program represents our drive for community engagement and inclusivity within the spirits industry. It creates avenues for women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to connect with seasoned professionals and peers from across the nation. Our members, spanning both industry and consumer sectors, are passionate about introducing more women to the spirits industry and bolstering the networking essential for career advancement,” said Heather Wibbels, managing director of Bourbon Women.
Brittany Allison, Chair of the Bourbon Women Foundation, notes, "We can all point to a person or persons that invested in our development, the Bourbon Women Foundation is our opportunity to pay forward that investment. In addition, the generosity of both the bourbon industry and bourbon consumers continues to increase, enabling the SIP Scholarship program to expand its reach. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our tribe and their enthusiasm for welcoming newcomers." This year the Bourbon Women Foundation is offering fifteen scholarships for the 2024 National SIPosium Conference. A SIP scholarship includes a mentoring program, a three-year Bourbon Women membership, and can also include financial support to cover the cost of the SIPosium National Conference ticket and lodging at the hotel. Recipients also attend an Angels Share reception with past recipients, mentors, and some of the Bourbon Women leadership. This facilitates connections and helps the scholars take full advantage of the weekend and the relationships made over a delicious sip of whiskey. Wibbels said, “For our SIP Scholars as our SIP attendees, whiskey isn’t just a spirit we enjoy, it’s a way to create connection and community with one another, and a way to empower one another with education, opportunities and fun.”
Applications for the 2024 SIP Scholarship Program are available on the Bourbon Women website (https://bourbonwomen.org/2024-sip-scholar-program/). Applications are due by April 26th, 2024, Midnight PST.