A record number of suppliers, service providers, wholesalers and other beverage industry professionals arrive for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 71st Annual Convention Exposition. This industry-leading showcase and program runs April 8-10 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Highlights of the three-day program include:
Inspiring and Motivational General Sessions: Keynote speakers include Jordan Belfort, the real “Wolf of Wall Street;” Dan Heath, a Duke University management expert; and Captain Richard Phillips, subject of the hit Tom Hanks film.
Hot Competitions, Exciting Beverage and Cocktail Combinations: The Wine & Spirits Tasting Competitions; Hoptails Mixology Competition; Call for Cocktails: Mixology Competition and the Wholesaler Iron Mixologist Competition will inspire and educate. Detailed information is available here.
Top Notch Educational Sessions: The U.S. Beverage Alcohol Forum, WSWA’s half-day educational program runs Thursday, April 10 and offers expertise on the latest trends as well as practical information on brand entry and distribution strategies, on-premise activation, use of mixologists as brand ambassadors, digital media marketing, and multicultural outreach. One-day registration is available.
Recognizing Industry Leaders:
WSWA will salute the long records of business success, leadership and community service of two industry veterans. Rocky Wirtz, President of Wirtz Beverage Group of Chicago, Ill., will be recognized with the Lifetime Leadership Award, presented each year to a wholesaler whose contribution to the association, the community and the beverage industry defines excellence, inspires loyalty and exemplifies leadership.
Max L. Shapira, President of Heaven Hill Distilleries of Bardstown, Ky., will be presented with the Sidney Frank Award by the WSWA Educational Foundation. This award is given to a person who has made exceptional contributions to the industry in addition to noteworthy philanthropic and community service contributions. The award is named for Sidney Frank, an innovator in the beverage industry who built successful brands and set records for philanthropic contributions and service.
Exhibitions and Hospitality Suites: The convention is at record attendance and participation levels with sold out exhibition halls and hospitality suites showcasing new and innovative products, brands and extensions.
Keep up on the latest convention photos, news and other developments on the convention website www.wswaconvention.org, on Twitter and on Facebook.
The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America is the national trade association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry. WSWA is the voice for wholesalers in Congress, the executive branch, the courts, with the news media and in communities across America. Member firms represent 80% of the total U.S. wine and spirits market. Information about the association is available at www.wswa.org.
