Looking Back at Past Blue Ribbon Award Winners: Matt Levitt
Trent Unruh | April 9, 2024 | Blog • Chamber News
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When Matt Levitt founded Tahoe Blue Vodka in 2012, nobody could have imagined the success he and his business would achieve. In fact, the initial response to his vodka was so positive, that Matt began entering Tahoe Blue Vodka into major competitions. And winning. In just one short year, Tahoe Blue Vodka was voted #1 Unflavored Vodka in the World at the prestigious Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York in 2013.
“This project is a long game,” said Matt. “It takes most brands in my category decades to achieve large-scale success and distribution. We are only 10 years in.”
A Maryland native, Matt first visited Lake Tahoe on a trip spanning the West Coast and was amazed by the brilliant blue color of the lake. It didn’t take long for him to decide to stick around a few more days. Which turned into weeks…months…years and led to the idea for Tahoe Blue Vodka.
Skip forward 2017… and Tahoe Blue Vodka was recognized once again, this time as Entrepreneur of the Year at Tahoe Chamber’s Blue Ribbon Awards.
“Winning the Entrepreneur Award in 2017 was a really cool experience that brought with it some local recognition”, Matt said. “These awards are well-regarded in the industry and created a lot of buzz for us over the short-term. It was an honor to be featured and definitely a net-positive experience for us.”
Since winning, Matt has spent the last 7 years focused on growing Tahoe Blue Vodka outside of the Tahoe Basin.
“In the first couple years it was just Tahoe and then Tahoe and Reno,” said Matt. “In 2016 we went to work on expanding distribution and growing market share in Sacramento, San Francisco, and a little bit Southern California, and Southern Nevada.”
Tahoe Blue Vodka (through its parent company, Tahoe Spirits, Inc.) donates a portion of proceeds to support the ongoing efforts necessary to preserve Lake Tahoe and supports organizations that work tirelessly to protect Lake Tahoe and its surrounding environment. It is thus not surprising that Matt is bringing it full circle and supporting this year’s Blue Ribbon Awards by sponsoring a signature cocktail at the cocktail reception preceding the awards dinner.
Tahoe Chamber believes it is important to recognize and celebrate entrepreneurs who contribute to the vitality of our community and economy. Hence, Tahoe Chamber’s 2024 Blue Ribbon awards will feature eight categories , including the Innovation Award that celebrates an innovative entrepreneur/ non-profit / business that has affected significant change in the community through a unique idea. It takes businesses of all sizes to keep the South Tahoe economy running smoothly, but aspiring new businesses often have a “finger on the pulse” of what today’s residents and visitors are seeking.
Tahoe Chamber’s Blue Ribbon Awards have celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of businesses, organizations, and individuals of the South Shore community since 2007. The event is among the largest business recognitions in the area, attracting leaders, entrepreneurs, community members, and officials.
Nominations are open until April 17th and include: Sustainable Tourism (sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence), Innovation (sponsored by Idle Hour), Excellence in Business (sponsored by Azul & Base Camp Pizza), Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by El Dorado Community Foundation), Community Enrichment (sponsored by Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe), Customer Service – Business (sponsored by Vail Resorts), Customer Service – Public Agency (sponsored by South Tahoe Refuse), and New Business of the Year (sponsored by The Cork & More).
The awards ceremony, set for May 16 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, promises an evening of celebration with a specialty cocktail from Tahoe Blue Vodka, a raffle, dinner, and recognition of award recipients. Attendees are invited to dress in theme colors and shimmer in sapphire and silver. The event is being presented by ADVANCE and the South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts and supported by media sponsors Tahoe Daily Tribune and Outside TV, with additional sponsorship from Tahoe Blue Event Center, Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Luna Lending, Barton Health, and The Landing Tahoe Resort and Spa.
To nominate, become a sponsor, or purchase event tickets, head over to the Blue Ribbon Awards page for more information.