(PRWEB) November 13, 2005 -- As many homes and businesses in the hurricane ravaged Miami area finally get power and basic utility services restored today, the World Beverage Competition who for the first time scheduled the event in the US are faced with an unusual dilemma: Where do we ship all these samples??? Thousands of Beverage products of all types from all over the globe have been shipped to Miami for the renouned competition, but due to the storm and other complications, many had to be diverted to a warehouse location in Northern Florida. Compound this with airline cancellations from Switzerland to the US, passport and visa issues change and you have some interesting challenges ahead for the WBC.

“We did all that we could to notify the competitors of the change in venue for the entry samples…” says one WBC employee “…even posting info on www.BeverageCompetition.com www.WorldBeverageCompetition.com and the alcohol sites: www.SpiritsCompetition.com www.WinesCompetition.com and www.BeersCompetition.com which should notify most of the applicants, but some have not yet confirmed receipt of the notice." The biggest fear is that the compeditors may try to come to the only part of the competition ever open to the contestants and the public, the award ceremony, scheduled for December 2 and 3 in Miami. The WBC is considering hosting the “Taste of the World” Lounge in Miami in conjunction with the World Trade Center's annual Taste of teh Americas event (www.WorldTrade.com) as planned even though the competition itself has been moved to another locale.

“We hate to disappoint those whom wished to attend the final ceremony and unveiling of the 2006 winners,” says the WBC administrator “so we will do everything in our power to make the awards event happen.” Either way, the prestige and press that products receive from this time honored competition make the challenges well worth it for the brands competing, and the award ceremony will be missed this year if it does not happen! We intend to follow up with more details as the become available, and further information can be obtained on the World Beverage Competition websites listed above.

There is one thing for certain, this beverage reporter will attend next year’s competition, come “wind or high-water!”