Andreea Istvan

• Facilitated live bar-style sampling events for NÜTRL, Michelob Ultra, and Cutwater; successfully converted high-traffic crowds into customers through proactive engagement and professional brand representation.
• Ensured 100% compliance with state liquor laws and age verification protocols during high-volume spirit sampling events.

• Strategically drove a 90% increase in unit sales per shift by educating consumers on brand heritage, ingredient transparency, and nutritional benefits. Successfully managed high-volume throughput, consistently distributing 800+ samples daily while maintaining personalized brand storytelling.

• Educated consumers about product benefits, leading to increased interest and sales conversions.
• Trained and mentored new team members on brand messaging and customer engagement techniques.
• Represented global power-brands like Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Fireball Whisky at high-profile corporate activations, including the Jewel-Osco Annual Golf Outing and large-scale Binny’s Beverage Depot specialty events. Specialized in delivering high-energy brand experiences during MOMoments and grand-opening celebrations, ensuring seamless service and professional engagement for VIP guests and large crowds.

Luxury Spirits & Liqueurs

• Empress 1908 Gin: Conducted "theatrical" tastings highlighting the unique butterfly pea blossom infusion and its signature indigo-to-pink color transition when mixed with citrus.
• Mozart Chocolate Liquor: Promoted as a premium "liquid dessert," educating consumers on the Belgian chocolate craftsmanship and versatility for martinis or coffee.
• St. Remy Signature & VSOP: Educated shoppers on the heritage of French Brandy, highlighting the smooth oak and vanilla notes of the VSOP vs. the modern, fruitier Signature blend.
• Disaronno: Focused on the classic Italian heritage and its iconic almond-apricot flavor profile, suggesting simple two-ingredient mixers for home entertaining.

Ready-to-Drink (RTD) & Trending Canned Cocktails

• Surfside / Stateside Vodka: Drove high-volume sales for these "bubble-free" vodka iced teas and lemonades, focusing on the 100-calorie and "real spirits" selling points.
• Carbliss: Positioned as the premier 0-carb/0-sugar Wisconsin-based vodka cocktail for health-conscious shoppers at Jewel.
• Buzzballs: Focused on convenience and "party-ready" branding for high-volume grab-and-go sales.

Wines & Organic Estates

• Bonterra Organic Estates: Served as a brand advocate for sustainable farming, explaining the benefits of "Regenerative Organic" grapes to environmentally conscious consumers.
• Barefoot Wine: Managed high-traffic "tasting rows," matching customers with their ideal varietal (Moscato, Cab, or Bubbly) to drive multi-bottle purchases.

Mixers & Non-Alcoholic Demos

• Agalima Organic / Master of Mixes: Demonstrated how to elevate home bars using single-pressed citrus margarita mixes and authentic pina colada bases.
• Crystal Light: Conducted large-scale grocery demos focused on flavor variety and calorie-free hydration for families.

Worked with Retail Partners: Jewel-Osco, Tony's Finer Foods, and Berkots.

Culinary & Prepared Foods Demonstrator:

• Managed live food preparation and "Action Stations" for Fresh Express Hot-or-Cold Salads and John Soules Pre-Cooked Chicken, demonstrating meal-prep versatility and ease of use.
• Specialized in the frozen pizza category for power brands including Screamin' Sicilian, Palermo’s, Connie’s, and Corner Booth Pizza, consistently increasing category sales during high-traffic weekend windows.
• Highlighted flavor authenticity for El Ranchero Tortilla Chips and Herdez Salsas, creating "Perfect Pairings" to increase the average customer basket size.

Specialty Produce & Gourmet Bakery Advocate:

• Served as a product specialist for high-end produce including Sumo Citrus and Envy Apples, educating shoppers on seasonal availability, flavor intensity, and unique "easy-peel" or "slow-to-brown" characteristics.
• Increased impulse purchases for bakery brands including Clyde’s Donuts, Elk Village Bakery Crumble Cakes, and MV Delights Cookies through enthusiastic sampling.
• Facilitated high-volume distribution and brand engagement at the St. Charles Scarecrow Fest, successfully navigating a crowd of 40,000+ attendees while maintaining brand enthusiasm.

Premium Beverage & Hydration Specialist: * Executed high-end "hydration experiences" for San Pellegrino, Maison Perrier, and Absopure Electrolyte Water.

• Represented Evolution Fresh, educating health-conscious consumers on the benefits of Cold-Pressed technology and high-pressure processing (HPP).
• Costa Coffee, Slice Healthy Soda managing the delicate balance of high-volume pouring with brand-specific storytelling.