Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - The Universidad Tecnológica de Bahía de Banderas (UTBB) is celebrating its first-ever international event for mixologists, "Coctel-Arte 2013," in its facilities at the Riviera Nayarit.

This event promotes mixologists, bartenders, and cocktailing across the board; its mission is to publicize the ephemeral art of the cocktail through responsible training, innovation, creativity, and—last but not least—fun.

"I’m eternally grateful to the UTBB for allowing us to hold this event on its grounds; I’m just as grateful to the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association," said Lupita Cruz, the Managing Director of Coctel-Arte.

Among the internationally renowned Mexican mixologists that will be present at the event are Israel Díaz Pelayo, the ambassador mixologist from the Riviera Nayarit, and Antonio Barroeta from the Academia Mexicana de Mixología.

There will be a total of 18 mixologists attending, among then one of the top mixologists in the world, Javier Caballero from Spain, who will finalize the talks and workshops.

"There is a lot of talent in the region," added Cruz, "so we decided to open in the Riviera Nayarit because it’s the birthplace of and the doorway to our culinary world, which is closely tied to mixology. We’re taking this to an international level."

The date is set for Saturday, November 30th, from 4-10 pm. This event is the perfect excuse to inaugurate the UTBB’s new Enology Laboratory, which is part of the Gastronomy department and represents an investment of $450 thousand pesos.

"It’s very important for us to be innovators with activities that others aren’t daring to do," said UTTB president José Gómez. "If you never take that first step nothing will ever happen, but when you do and do it responsibly, you’ll be successful."

The Enology Lab will benefit the 600 Gastronomy students, helping learn the main trends and techniques necessary for their development.

A very important part of the event will be the "Music Made Cocktail" presentation by the finalists of the "DJ Vallartenses" youth contest, under the guidance of Jorge Alberto García.

For more information or if you’d like to participate in this fabulous event, please visit coctelarte.com to register with the early bird fee of $200 pesos; unregistered participants and those paying on the day of the event will be charged $250 pesos; UTBB students pay only $100 pesos. For directions call (322) 226 8307.