🏅 International Bartenders Association (IBA) Badges
Symbols of Global Bartending Excellence
1. What IBA Badges Represent
IBA badges are internationally recognized symbols of professional qualification and membership within the global bartending community.
They demonstrate that a bartender or mixologist has met IBA-aligned training standards and adheres to professional ethics, cocktail-making excellence, and global hospitality codes.
IBA badges are awarded through:
- National IBA Member Associations (e.g., UKBG, AIBES, ABF, etc.)
- Accredited Bartending Schools
- World Cocktail Championship (WCC) events
- Special Recognition Awards (e.g., sustainability, innovation, flair, mentorship)
2. Types of IBA Badges
| Badge Type | Level | Description | Equivalent Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 IBA Member Badge | Entry | Shows membership in a national IBA association. | Professional bartender ID |
| 🎓 IBA Certified Bartender Badge | Intermediate | Indicates successful completion of an IBA-standard course or exam. | Global certificate of competency |
| 🌍 IBA Master Mixologist Badge | Advanced | Given to graduates of IBA-recognized advanced schools or champions of the World Cocktail Championship. | Elite professional credential |
| ♻️ IBA Sustainable Bartender Badge | Special | Awarded for eco-friendly and responsible bartending innovation. | Sustainability recognition |
| 🏆 IBA Competition Champion Badge | Honorary | For winners of IBA global or regional competitions. | World-class distinction |
3. Digital IBA Badges
The IBA and its affiliated schools are now adopting digital credentialing systems, where badges can be:
- Displayed on LinkedIn, Facebook, WhatsApp, or websites
- Scanned via QR code for verification
- Embedded with metadata (holder name, date, course, institution, and verification link)
Our Digital IBA badges includes:
- IBA logo (world map + cocktail glass icon)
- Holder’s name and certification level
- Verification QR code or link
- Signature of an accredited trainer or institution
4. Integrating IBA Badges into Kenya Mixology School™ Certification
Kenya Mixology School™ is aligning with IBA standards (through Kenya Coffee School™ and Barista Mtaani™), IBA-aligned badge suite
Example Structure for KMS:
| Badge Name | Criteria | Issued By | Digital Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥂 KMS–IBA Associate Mixologist™ | Completion of 4-week Certificate Course | Kenya Mixology School™ | Cloud QR + LinkedIn share |
| 🍸 KMS–IBA Advanced Bartender™ | Completion of Diploma (8 weeks) + Evaluation | KCS & KMS Joint Certification | Digital badge + IBA alignment |
| 🌍 KMS–IBA Master Mixologist™ | Completion of 12-week Master Program + Internship | Kenya Coffee School™ | IBA-aligned badge with ISO verification |
| ♻️ Sustainable Mixology Innovator™ | Completion of eco-mixology project (Barista Mtaani™) | KMS + GOOD Trade Certification | QR Verified, Green Sustainability Badge |
Each badge visually reflects:
- IBA emblem (for alignment)
- Kenya Mixology School™ crest
- ISO-aligned certification mark
- QR code for authenticity
5. Suggested Badge Design Elements
Front Design:
- Center: KMS logo (cocktail glass + coffee bean symbol)
- Top arc: “IBA-ALIGNED GLOBAL STANDARD”
- Bottom arc: “KENYA MIXOLOGY SCHOOL™”
- Background: Deep brown & gold gradient (Kenya Coffee School’s official palette)
- Ribbon: Course level (Certificate / Diploma / Master)
- QR Code: For online verification
Back Metadata:
- Trainee Name
- Course Title & Level
- Instructor Signature (Digital)
- Date of Completion
- IBA Reference Code (alignment tag)
6. Implementation Options
- KCS GoLearn Platform (already supports QR-based badges)
- Credly / Accredible Integration – for verified global sharing
- Custom KCS Digital Badge Portal – where badges are issued, verified, and shared automatically
Each graduate would receive a unique badge URL and QR code, linking to their verified record.
7. How to Present IBA Badges in Marketing Materials
“Kenya Mixology School™ awards internationally aligned IBA-standard digital badges, verifiable through our KCS cloud system — ensuring every graduate carries a globally recognized mark of professional excellence.”
- “IBA-Aligned Mixology Certification”
- “Globally Recognized Bartender Credential”
- “Digital Badge – Verifiable Worldwide”