SBEV Splash Beverage Group Inc

Stockholders Should Read the Entire Proxy Statement Carefully Prior to Returning Their Proxies

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

GENERAL

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Splash Beverage Group, Inc. for use at our 2022 annual meeting of stockholders to be held in a virtual-only (online) meeting format via live webcast on the Internet on December 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Voting materials, including this proxy statement and proxy card, are expected to be first delivered to all or our stockholders on or about November 8, 2022.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Following are some commonly asked questions raised by our stockholders and answers to each of those questions.

What may I vote on at the annual meeting?

At the annual meeting, stockholders will consider and vote upon the following matters:

How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote on the proposals?

Our Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the election of each nominee as director and “FOR” each of the other proposals being put before our stockholders at the meeting.

How do I vote?

Whether you plan to attend the online annual meeting or not, our Board urges you to vote by proxy. If you vote by proxy, the individuals named on the proxy card, or your “proxies,” will vote your shares in the manner you indicate. You may specify whether your shares: should be voted for or withheld for the nominees for director; should be voted for; and should be voted for, against or abstained with respect to approving the amendment to our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. Voting by proxy will not affect your right to virtually attend the annual meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name through our transfer agent, Equiniti Shareowner Services, or you have stock certificates registered in your name, you may submit a proxy to vote:

Telephone and Internet voting facilities for all stockholders of record will be available 24-hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 14, 2022.

If your shares are held in “street name” (held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee who is the holder of record), you must provide the bank, broker or other nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares and can do so as follows:

How may I attend and participate in the Meeting?

We will be hosting the meeting live via the internet. There will not be a physical location for the meeting. Our virtual meeting allows stockholders to submit questions and comments before and during the meeting. After the meeting, we will spend up to 15 minutes answering stockholder questions. Our virtual format also allows stockholders from around the world to participate and ask questions and for us to give thoughtful responses. Any stockholder can listen to and participate in the meeting live via the internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SBEV2022. Stockholders may begin submitting written questions through the internet portal at 9:45 a.m. (Eastern Time) on December 15, 2022, and the webcast of the annual meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) that day.

Stockholders may also vote while connected to the meeting on the Internet. You will need the control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) in order to be able to vote your shares or submit questions. Instructions on how to connect and participate via the internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SBEV2022.

We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual shareholder meeting log in page.

If you do not have your control number, you will be able to listen to the meeting only — you will not be able to vote or submit questions.

What happens if additional matters are presented at the annual meeting?

Other than the matters identified in this proxy statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the annual meeting. If you grant a proxy, the person named as proxy holder, Robert Nistico, our Chief Executive Officer, or Ron Wall, our Chief Financial Officer will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the annual meeting.

What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?

If you hold shares in your name and you sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by our Board on all matters and as the proxy holder may determine in her or his discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote before the annual meeting. If you hold your shares through a stockbroker, bank or other nominee and you do not provide instructions on how to vote, your stockbroker or other nominee may exercise their discretionary voting power with respect to certain proposals that are considered as “routine” matters

If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, the organization that holds your shares will inform us that it does not have the authority to vote on these matters with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.” When the vote is tabulated for any particular matter, broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not otherwise be counted. In the absence of specific instructions from you, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote your shares with respect to the election of our Board of Directors, and amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. We encourage you to provide voting instructions to the organization that holds your shares by carefully following the instructions provided in the notice.

What is the quorum requirement for the annual meeting?

On October 27, 2022, the Record Date for determining which stockholders are entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, there were 39,946,916 shares of our common stock outstanding which is our only class of voting securities. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Holders of thirty-four percent (34%) of our outstanding stock as of the Record Date must be present at the annual meeting (in person or represented by proxy) in order to hold the meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. Your shares will be counted for purposes of determining if there is a quorum, even if you wish to abstain from voting on some or all matters introduced at the annual meeting, if you are present and vote online at the meeting or have properly submitted a proxy card or voted by mail, internet or fax.

How can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the annual meeting. You may do this by signing a new proxy card with a later date or by attending the annual meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SBEV2022 and voting at the meeting. However, your attendance at the annual meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote at the annual meeting or specifically request in writing that your prior proxy be revoked.

Is my vote confidential?

Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within our Company or to third parties, except:

Any written comments that a stockholder might include on the proxy card may be forwarded to our management.

Where can I find the voting results of the annual meeting?

The preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. The final voting results will be tallied by our inspector of elections and reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, within four business days of the date of the annual meeting.

How can I obtain a separate set of voting materials?

To reduce the expense of delivering duplicate voting materials to our stockholders who may have more than one Splash Beverage Group, Inc. stock account, we are delivering only one Notice to certain stockholders who share an address, unless otherwise requested. If you share an address with another stockholder and have received only one Notice, you may write or call us to request to receive a separate Notice. Similarly, if you share an address with another stockholder and have received multiple copies of the Notice, you may write or call us at the address and phone number below to request delivery of a single copy of this Notice. For future annual meetings, you may request separate Notices, or request that we send only one Notice to you if you are receiving multiple copies, by writing or calling us at:

Splash Beverage Group, Inc.
Attention: Robert Nistico, Chief Executive Officer
1314 East Las Olas Blvd, Suite 221
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Tel: (954) 745-5815

Who pays for the cost of this proxy solicitation?

We will pay the costs of the solicitation of proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for expenses incurred in forwarding the voting materials to their customers who are beneficial owners and obtaining their voting instructions. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, our board members, officers and employees may solicit proxies on our behalf, without additional compensation, personally, electronically or by telephone.

How can I obtain a copy of Splash Beverage Group, Inc.’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K?

You may obtain a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 by sending a written request to the address listed above under “How can I obtain a separate set of voting materials?” Our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K is available by accessing our Investors page at www. https://splashbeveragegroup.com and our Form 10-K with exhibits is available on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov.

What is the voting requirement to approve the proposals?

The proposals to approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, $.001 from 150,000,000 to 300,000,000 needs to be approved by a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated as shares that are present, or represented and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the annual meeting. Abstentions will not be counted in determining the number of votes cast in connection with any matter presented at the annual meeting. Broker non-votes will not be counted as a vote cast on any matter presented at the annual meeting.

How many votes are required to approve other matters that may come before the stockholders at the meeting?

An affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote on the proposal of all other items being submitted to the stockholders for their consideration.

How can I communicate with the non-employee directors on the Splash Beverage Group, Inc. Board of Directors?

The Board of Directors encourages stockholders who are interested in communicating directly with the non-employee directors as a group to do so by writing to the non-employee directors of the Board. Stockholders can send communications by mail to:

Splash Beverage Group, Inc.
Attention: Robert Nistico, Chief Executive Officer
1314 East Las Olas Blvd, Suite 221
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Tel: (954) 745-5815

Correspondence received that is addressed to the non-employee directors will be reviewed by Mr. Nistico or his designee, who will regularly forward to the non-employee directors a summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of Mr. Nistico, deals with the functions of the Board of Directors or committees thereof or that Mr. Nistico otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by us that is addressed to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors and request copies of any such correspondence.

WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS?

You may seek answers to your questions by calling Robert Nistico, our Chief Executive Officer at (954) 745-5815.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors oversees our business affairs and monitors the performance of management. In accordance with our corporate governance principles, the Board of Directors does not involve itself in day-to-day operations of the Company. The directors keep themselves informed through discussions with the Chief Executive Officer, other key executives and by reading the reports and other materials that we send them and by participating in Board of Directors and committee meetings. Our directors hold office until their successors have been elected and duly qualified unless the director resigns or by reason of death or other cause is unable to serve in the capacity of director. Biographical information about our directors is provided in “Election of Director — Proposal No. 1” on page 17.

Director Independence

The Board of Directors has considered the independence of each director and nominee for election as a director in accordance with the elements of independence set forth in the listing standards of the NYSE. Based upon information solicited from each nominee, the Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Peter McDonough, and Candace Crawford have no material relationship with the Company (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company) and are “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE’s director independence standards and Audit Committee independence standards, as currently in effect.

Board leadership structure and role in risk oversight

The Board of Directors oversees our business and affairs and monitors the performance of management. In accordance with corporate governance principles, the Board of Directors does not involve itself in day-to-day operations. The directors keep themselves informed through discussions with the Chief Executive Officer and other key executives, visits to the Company’s facilities, by reading the reports and other materials that we send them and by participating in Board and committee meetings. Each director’s term will continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers (including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and any person performing similar functions) and employees. Our Code of Ethics is available at our website at www.splashbeveragegroup.com.

Board of Directors Meetings and Attendance

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Board of Directors held 5 meetings. All directors attended the board meetings.

Legal Proceedings

None of the Company’s current directors or executive officers have been involved, in the past ten years and in a manner material to an evaluation of such director’s or officer’s ability or integrity to serve as a director or executive officer, in any of those “Certain Legal Proceedings” more fully detailed in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K, which include but are not limited to, bankruptcies, criminal convictions and an adjudication finding that an individual violated federal or state securities laws.

Because of the size of the Board of Directors and the historically small turnover of its members, the Board of Directors and independent directors (with respect to selecting and nominating independent directors) address the need to retain members and fill vacancies after discussion among current members. Accordingly, the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee have determined that it is appropriate not to have such a policy at this time.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Based solely upon a review of copies of such forms filed on Forms 3, 4 and 5, and amendments thereto furnished to us, we believe that as of the date of this Report, our executive officers, directors and greater than 10 percent beneficial owners have complied on a timely basis with all Section 16(a) filing requirements.

BOARD COMMITTEES

Our Board of Directors has formed three standing committees: audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance. Actions taken by our committees are reported to the full board. Each of our committees has a charter and each charter is posted on our website.

Audit Committee

We have separately designated an Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, the appointment, compensation, removal and oversight of the work of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, overseeing the accounting and financial reporting process of the Company, and reviewing related person transactions. Our Audit Committee is comprised of Peter McDonough and Candace Crawford. Under NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules, all the directors on the audit committee must be independent. Also, as a smaller reporting company, we are only required to maintain an audit committee of two independent directors. Our Board has determined that Peter McDonough and Candace Crawford are independent under NYSE listing standards and applicable SEC rules. Candace Crawford is the Chairperson of the audit committee. Each member of the audit committee is financially literate and our Board has determined that Candace Crawford qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which can be found in on our website at www.splashbeveragegroup.com. During 2021, the Audit Committee held four meetings in person or through conference calls.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the appropriate and effective governance of the Company, including, among other things, (a) nominations to the Board of Directors and making recommendations regarding the size and composition of the Board of Directors and (b) the development and recommendation of appropriate corporate governance principles. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Peter McDonough and Candace Crawford, each of whom is an independent director (as defined under Section 803 of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide). The Chairperson of the committee is Peter McDonough. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which can be found on our website at www.splashbeveragegroup.com within the “Investor Information” section.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee adheres to the Company’s bylaws provisions and Securities and Exchange Commission rules relating to proposals by stockholders when considering director candidates that might be recommended by stockholders, along with the requirements set forth in the committee’s Policy with Regard to Consideration of Candidates Recommended for Election to the Board of Directors, also available on our website. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for identifying and selecting qualified candidates for election to the Board of Directors prior to each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. In identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the Committee considers each candidate’s qualities, experience, background and skills, as well as other factors, such as the individual’s ethics, integrity and values which the candidate may bring to the Board of Directors.

During 2021, the Compensation Management Resources Committee held two meetings in person or through conference calls.

Compensation Committee

We have established a Compensation and Management Resources Committee of our Board of Directors. The purpose of the Compensation and Management Resources Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to executive compensation, succession planning for the Company’s executive team, and to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding employee benefit policies and programs, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans.

The members of our Compensation and Management Resources Committee are Peter McDonough and Candace Crawford. Candace Crawford is the chairperson of the Compensation and Management Resources Committee.

Under NYSE listing standards, we are required to have at least two members of the compensation committee, all of whom must be independent directors. Our board of directors has determined that each of Peter J. McDonough and Candace Crawford is independent under NYSE listing standards. The Compensation and Management Resources Committee is responsible for, among other things, (a) reviewing all compensation arrangements for the executive officers of the Company and (b) administering the Company’s stock option plans. The Compensation and Management Resource Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which can be found on our website at www.splashbeveragegroup.com within the “Investor Information” section.

The duties and responsibilities of the Compensation and Management Resources Committee in accordance with its charter are to review and discuss with management and the Board the objectives, philosophy, structure, cost and administration of the Company’s executive compensation and employee benefit policies and programs; no less than annually, review and approve, with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers (a) all elements of compensation, (b) incentive targets, (c) any employment agreements, severance agreements and change in control agreements or provisions, in each case as, when and if appropriate, and (d) any special or supplemental benefits; make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s major long-term incentive plans applicable to directors, executives and/or non-executive employees of the Company and approve (a) individual annual or periodic equity-based awards for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and (b) an annual pool of awards for other employees with guidelines for the administration and allocation of such awards; recommend to the Board for its approval a succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer, addressing the policies and principles for selecting a successor to the Chief Executive Officer, both in an emergency situation and in the ordinary course of business; review programs created and maintained by management for the development and succession of other executive officers and any other individuals identified by management or the Compensation and Management Resources Committee; review the establishment, amendment and termination of employee benefits plans, review employee benefit plan operations and administration; and any other duties or responsibilities expressly delegated to the Compensation and Management Resources Committee by the Board from time to time relating to the Committee’s purpose.

The Compensation and Management Resources Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s outside counsel to attend a meeting of the Compensation and Management Resources Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Compensation and Management Resources Committee. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer does not attend any portion of a meeting where the Chief Executive Officer’s performance or compensation is discussed, unless specifically invited by the Compensation and Management Resources Committee.

The Compensation and Management Resources Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to be used to assist in the evaluation of director, Chief Executive Officer or other executive officer compensation or employee benefit plans and has sole authority to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. The Compensation and Management Resources Committee also has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other experts, advisors and consultants to assist in carrying out its duties and responsibilities and has the authority to retain and approve the fees and other retention terms for any external experts, advisors or consultants.

During 2021, the Compensation Management Resources Committee held two meetings in person or through conference calls.