Together with fellow Master Sommelier Drew Hendricks, James Tidwell founded TEXSOM in 2005. The conference has become the premiere professional beverage education event in the country, attracting a prominent list of attendees, presenters, and sponsors from around the world.

Tidwell is also Co-Owner and Producer of the TEXSOM International Wine Awards (formerly the Dallas Morning News and TEXSOM Wine Competition) which is one of the largest and most recognized wine competitions in the country.