Tiki-A-Go-Go

A new tiki convention landed in Orlando in April 2024: Tiki-a-Go-Go! Focused on the Florida aspects of tiki history, this event brought a wide variety of presenters, performers, and pop-up bars to Central Florida.  Complimentary cocktails and rum flowed while attendees learned about everything from iconic Florida tiki bars to Disney's influence on tiki.  

Rum Traveler presented a sold-out seminar called "Rum Culture: The Spirit of the Caribbean" where the Rum Travelers (Myssi and Joe) explored the influence of rum on the culture of several Caribbean islands, from its production methods and flavor profiles to how locals enjoy and celebrate it through unique bars, music, and activities. Attendees tasted rums from Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, and St. Lucia as Myssi and Joe shared unique experiences from each island.  

Other rum-specific tasting seminars included the "Florida Rum Society Single Barrel Tasting" hosted by FRS president Jay Cocorullo and "Hamilton Rum: The Breezeway Blend" hosted by Ed Hamilton and Spike Marble.  There were also several presentations on the Mai Kai, the legendary South Florida tiki destination that was forced to shut down in 2020 after a roof collapse but has been undergoing extensive renovations in preparation for a reopening later in 2024.  Additional presentations with a focus on rum, such as "Fiesta Key - Florida's Critical Role in Prohibition Rumrunning" with Tim Harnett, "Don the Beachcomber: Ambassador of Rum" with Tim “Swanky” Glazner, and "A Sailor’s Adventure" with Ed Hamilton, were available to all ticketholders at no additional charge.

Participating rum brands for 2024 included:

• Bacardi (Puerto Rico)
• Bettie Page (various countries)
• Canerock (Jamaica)
• Grander (Panama)
• Havana Club (Puerto Rico)
• Hamilton Rum (various countries)
• Holmes Cay (various countries)
• Monymusk (Jamaica)
• Papa's Pilar (Florida, USA and various countries)
• Planteray (various countries)
• Rincón Rum (Puerto Rico)
• Santa Teresa (Venezuela)