Women Leading Rum & Spirits launches the first International Bootcamp 2026 in Gran Canaria with Ron Arehucas as the main host
Last Updated on March 4, 2026 by Maythe Monoche
Women Leading Rum & Spirits (WLR&S) announces the launch of the first International Bootcamp Zafra Experience 2026, a gathering that will bring together women leaders from the rum and spirits industry across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean in Gran Canaria. This year’s edition will feature Ron Arehucas as the main sponsor and official host, solidifying an alliance that unites Canarian tradition, technical excellence, and global female leadership.
The Bootcamp, to be held at the end of March, will be an intensive four‑day program combining specialized training, mentorship, practical workshops, and immersive experiences at the Arehucas distillery and various cultural and touristic sites across the island. The goal is to accelerate commercial, technical, and leadership capabilities among women in the sector, while positioning Gran Canaria as a strategic destination within the international rum landscape.
From Women Leading Rum & Spirits, its president, Larissa Arjona, highlights that this edition represents a decisive step in the platform’s mission to advance female leadership in the spirits industry. She sees this gathering as a space designed to accelerate the professional growth of women who are transforming the rum and spirits category in different markets. Arjona emphasizes that “Gran Canaria becomes the first destination to open its doors to this experience, marking the beginning of a journey that aims to expand into other territories and emblematic houses within the sector.” For her, this first edition symbolizes the creation of a global network that connects stories, trajectories, and visions that are redefining the future of the industry.
For her part, Priscila García, Export Manager at Ron Arehucas, considers this Bootcamp an exceptional opportunity to showcase the brand’s legacy and commitment to the evolution of European rum to the world. She notes that welcoming women leaders from different countries into the distillery opens the door to new perspectives, allows the sharing of Canarian identity, and reinforces Arehucas’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and female talent. The company highlights that this alliance elevates local culture and the rum‑making tradition of the archipelago, strengthening Arehucas’ position as an international reference within the category. In this context, García underscores that “the Canary Islands share a cultural idiosyncrasy deeply connected to rum with other key countries in this category, which makes the island a natural meeting point for this global community.”
The program will include a Mentor–Mentee module, offering participants personalized guidance, strategic orientation, and direct connection with industry leaders. It will also feature technical visits to the Arehucas distillery and plantation, training sessions with international experts, cultural activities in Arucas, Vegueta, and Agaete, tourism‑gastronomic experiences, and networking spaces with brands, ambassadors, and industry leaders. With reach across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the Bootcamp will generate high‑value organic content and strengthen global networks of women, brands, and professionals.
According to Larissa Arjona, President of Women Leading Rum & Spirits, “the women participating in the Bootcamp seek to elevate the rum and spirits category from their own territories, representing sponsoring brands and contributing to raising the industry’s standards. The spirit of this first edition is built with the vision that, in the future, other houses and distilleries will also open their doors to host upcoming editions.”
With this initiative, Women Leading Rum & Spirits reaffirms its commitment to creating real opportunities for women in the sector, connecting training, visibility, and professional development in an international environment. This first Bootcamp is sponsored by Ron Arehucas and supported by allied brands such as Ron Abuelo, Planteray Rum, Bacardí, Botran, Ron Centenario, Citadelle Gin de France, Xibal Gin, Pedro Mandinga Rum, Barceló, Rhum Barbancourt, Ron Millonario, Ron Tepuy, Canaïma Gin, Cocuy Saroche, and Bacan.
