Speaker Series Session Teaches the Art of the ‘Perfect Pour’ to FIU Hospitality Students
Coca-Cola is Florida International University’s preferred beverage brand and as the local Coca-Cola bottler serving the school, Coke Florida is committed to delivering more than beverages to campus. Through our partnership, we hosted another engaging training and insights session with students designed to connect theory to practice. Our speaker series provides students with career-focused insights delivered by Coca-Cola System experts and experiential learning opportunities to carry into their hospitality and business careers.
The latest speaker series event focused on two important topics in the beverage industry: The Perfect Serve/Pour and the power of iconic brands. Through interactive discussions and hands-on learning, students gained valuable perspectives on how beverage presentation influences the guest experience and Coca-Cola, as one of the world’s most recognizable brands, build lasting connections with consumers.
The session was designed to help students understand how powerful brands are built through distinctive assets, emotional meaning, and consistent storytelling. Using the trademarked Coca-Cola contour bottle as the centerpiece of the discussion, students explored how a simple package design evolved into much more than a bottle. Coke Florida marketing, sales, and customer relationship management teams shared how the contour bottle was originally developed as a business solution to differentiate Coca-Cola, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable and protected brand assets in the world. Students examined how through consistent branding, consumer trust and loyalty, and emotional connections Coca-Cola has transformed into a cultural icon transcending generations and geographies.
“Standing before the talented students at Florida International University, I had the privilege of sharing not only the power of Coca-Cola’s brands, but also the passion, creativity, and purpose behind building unforgettable guest experiences,” said Lisa Grzeszczak, Sr. Manager, Commercial Operations at Coke Florida. “Investing in the future of Hospitality leaders is the true meaning of partnership.”
In addition to brand development and management, students were introduced to the beverage industry concept known as the Perfect Serve/Pour. This is the art and science behind serving a beverage, which includes temperature of the bottle, the ideal glass, ice, portioning, and presentation. The future hospitality leaders learned how perfecting beverage service standards connects to hospitality principles overall when it comes to guest and customer experience.
Through our speaker series and campus community engagement, Coke Florida is demonstrating the value of strong partnerships. We look forward to continued collaboration with FIU to inspire students and help them apply classroom learning.
“The best partnerships create value that extends far beyond the contract,” said Jason Maddox, Vice President Customer Relationship Management, Food Service On-Premise at Coke Florida. “Our partnership with Florida International University allows us to contribute to the development of future hospitality leaders by providing students with practical, hands-on experiences and exposure to real-world business challenges. It’s an opportunity to give back, share our expertise, and help prepare the next generation for successful careers in our industry.”
