Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America

Recent WSWA News

• May 8, 2014

  Eighty Years Ago: Rhode Island Voted to Repeal Prohibition

  On May 8, Rhode Island marks an historic anniversary: on that date eighty years ago, Rhode Island voted to ratify the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, making it the third of 36 states to do so, ultimately ending Prohibition and repealing the 18th Amendment. Marking this occasion, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) released a detailed economic snapshot of the industry’s multi-billion dollar impact in Rhode Island. 

• May 6, 2013

  Record-Setting WSWA 70th Annual Convention & Exposition Concludes

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 70th Annual Convention & Exposition concluded last week—a successful end to a record-setting event.

• April 10, 2013

  Eighty Years Ago Today: Michigan Launched the Repeal of Prohibition

  Eighty years ago today, an historic and rare state convention was held in Lansing, Mich., where delegates approved by a 99-1 vote ratification of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, making it the first of 36 states to do so, ultimately ending Prohibition and repealing the 18th Amendment. Marking this occasion, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) released a detailed economic snapshot of the industry’s multi-billion dollar impact in Michigan. 

  
  

• March 19, 2013

  WSWA to Honor Beverage Industry Vets Leventhal, Teasdale with Prestigious Awards

   

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) will honor two widely-respected beverage alcohol industry veterans during ceremonies at its April convention. 

   

• March 14, 2013

  WSWA Educational Foundation Announces Scholarships to Support Member Firms’ Children

  Applications are now available for the WSWA Educational Foundation College Scholarship Program that awards scholarships each year to help student dependents of WSWA member firm employees pay for college.

• February 27, 2013

  WSWA Urges Deference to Strong and Safe State-Based Alcohol Regulation as USTR Pursues New Trade Deals

  The U.S. wine and spirits industry and its state-based regulatory system, supported by the federal government, have delivered an unmatched record of safety and effective oversight under the 21st Amendment. This structure must not be weakened as the U.S. pursues global trade deals, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of American (WSWA) told the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in comments filed this week.

• February 22, 2013

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Praises Reps. Roybal-Allard, Wolf and DeLauro for Introduction of “STOP Underage Drinking Act”

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President & CEO Craig Wolf today praised three members of the House of Representatives for their leadership in addressing underage drinking with the introduction of the “Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking” (STOP) reauthorization act.

• February 21, 2013

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Announces Two Staff Promotions

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President & CEO Craig Wolf today announced the promotion of two long-term employees. Catherine McDaniel was promoted to Vice President, Government Affairs, and Jo Moak was promoted to Senior Vice President and Co-General Counsel, Corporate and Regulatory.

   

• January 10, 2013

  Are You Ready to Take Your Brand, Products and Services to the Next Level?

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has officially opened registration for its 70th Annual Convention & Exposition. A new information-packed convention website features interactive links to convention registration and housing, exhibit and hospitality suite floorplans, as well as information on a variety of exciting competitions, evening events and networking opportunities. 

• December 20, 2012

  WSWA Joins Coalition Calling for Presidential Action to Prevent Strike at U.S. Ports

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has joined a coalition of 107 organizations calling for President Obama to take action to prevent a strike at ports spanning the coast from Houston to Boston. 

• December 3, 2012

  FDA Expected to Announce Registration Deadline Extension for Food Facilities Impacted by Storm Sandy

  (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staff have indicated that the agency will provide a deadline extension to food and beverage firms facing a looming facility registration deadline including those facing disaster recovery in the wake of “super storm” Sandy. 

• November 15, 2012

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America PAC Achieves 95% Success Rate in Election

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Political Action Committee (WSWA-PAC) is on track to achieve a record $2 million in contributions for the current election cycle. The group’s PAC also earned a 95-percent success rate in the recent election supporting candidates and incumbents from both parties who are supportive of issues important to wholesalers and their employees.

• November 14, 2012

  WSWA Member Firm Honored as “American Wine Legend”

  Hubert Opici, the patriarch of one of America’s “great wine families” will receive the “American Wine Legend” award from Wine Enthusiast at a New York City gala in January. The Opici Wine Group is a longstanding member of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA).

  
  

• November 1, 2012

  WSWA Asks FDA to Extend Food Facility Registration Deadline to Help Firms Impacted by Hurricane Sandy

  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should consider extending its deadline for wine and spirits industry firms who must register as food facilities to ease the burden these companies and their employees face in recovering from Hurricane Sandy. That was the message of a letter from Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America President and CEO Craig Wolf sent to FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.

• October 3, 2012

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Announces New Communications Team

  WASHINGTON D.C.—Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President & CEO Craig Wolf today announced that the association has hired two new team members and is re-launching its Communications & Public Affairs Department. Capitol Hill veteran Jeffrey Solsby is Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs reporting to Wolf. Digital media professional Ashley Durkin is the new Director of Communications reporting to Solsby.

• September 27, 2012

  Washington State Liquor Control Board Adopts Illogical and Inequitable Treatment of Distributors

  WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB) has worked diligently in an effort to fairly implement a fundamentally flawed Initiative 1183 (I-1183). But a recently proposed rule appears to use an illogical interpretation of plain English, and could give preferential treatment to one group of firms while inequitably taxing another—even though their work functions are identical. That was the message of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) regulatory comments filed Wednesday.

• September 19, 2012

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Supports Industry Families with Scholarships to Help Ten Students Pay for College

  Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2012) – An art student and fashion entrepreneur who is responsible for paying the entire cost of her college education, a student planning a career in health with an emphasis on care in Africa, the child of a disabled father from a financially-burdened family who maintains a 4.1 grade point average on a career path in medicine and an Army Reservist and student pursuing a career as a military psychologist.

• September 11, 2012

  Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association CEO Statement in Honor of 9/11 Victims, Veterans, First Responders and Service Members

  Washington, D.C. — Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President and CEO Craig Wolf today released a statement honoring the victims of September 11, 2001 as well as service men and women, first responders, and veterans.  

• April 10, 2012

  WSWA 69th Annual Convention & Exposition a Huge Success in Las Vegas

  Washington, D.C.—The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 69^th Annual Convention & Exposition took place last week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The annual event showcased a number of innovative, as well as established, wines and spirits. The convention also featured prominent industry professionals as speakers, award honorees, judges and mixology competitors.

• March 23, 2012

  Serving Up the Hottest Brands & the Coolest Cocktails

  Washington, D.C.—Nearly 2,000 attendees are expected for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 69^th Annual Convention & Exposition. This year’s convention, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from April 2-5, 2012, will offer larger exhibit halls and an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, cutting-edge informational sessions, hot new tastings and exciting competitions.

• March 8, 2012

  WSWA Announces Lifetime Leadership And Sidney Frank Award Recipients

  Washington, D.C.—Vern Underwood, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Young's Market Company, LLC, and Mark Brown, CEO of Sazerac Company, Inc. are the winners of the 2012 Wholesaler Lifetime Leadership and Sidney Frank Awards, respectively. The awards are given annually by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) and the WSWA Educational Foundation.

• February 9, 2012

  WSWA Announces Three Additional Keynote Speakers for Annual Convention

  Washington, DC --- The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is pleased to announce three new additions to its 2012 slate of general sessions keynote speakers during WSWA’s 69th Annual Convention & Exposition, April 2-5, 2012 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

• December 7, 2011

  Ballot Initiative Challenged in Court: I-1183 Unconstitutional

  Seattle— A lawsuit was filed today in Cowlitz County against the State of Washington to prevent the implementation of Initiative 1183. The lawsuit charges that I-1183 violates provisions of the Washington State Constitution because it addresses more than one subject.

• September 12, 2011

  WSWA Educational Foundation Announces Scholarship Winners

  Washington, D.C.—The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has confirmed John Hofmeister, former President of Shell Oil Company, as one of the keynote speakers at its 69th Annual Convention & Exposition, April 2-5, 2012, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

• September 6, 2011

  WSWA Secures John Hofmeister as Keynote Speaker for 2012 Convention

  Washington, D.C.—The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has confirmed John Hofmeister, former President of Shell Oil Company, as one of the keynote speakers at its 69th Annual Convention & Exposition, April 2-5, 2012, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

• May 26, 2011

  Award-Winning Mixologist Wows D.C. Crowd

  Renowned mixologist Caterina Miltenberger showcased her award-winning cocktails at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s 10th Annual Toast to Congress reception last night in Washington, D.C. Miltenberger is Corporate Mixologist for Glazer’s Wholesale Distributors, a member company of WSWA, based in Dallas.

• April 12, 2011

  WSWA 68th Annual Convention & Exposition Concludes with Attendance Goals Met and Many Convention Firsts

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 68th Annual Convention & Exposition concluded in Orlando with a General Business Session featuring former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Close to 1,900 WSWA members and suppliers from leading wine and spirits companies attended the three-day convention that featured several successful new attractions.

• April 12, 2011

  WSWA Announces Winners of Wine, Spirits and Mixology Competitions Held at the 68th Annual Convention & Exposition

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) announced the winners of the Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition, “Call for Cocktails”: Mixology Competition and the Wholesaler “Iron Mixologist” Competition held at the WSWA 68th Annual Convention & Exposition in Orlando.

• April 11, 2011

  Okrent Addresses Attendees During WSWA 68th Annual Convention & Exposition

  Daniel Okrent, author, editor and actor, addressed attendees of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 68th Annual Convention & Exposition. As the author of the recently published Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition (2010), Okrent gave a unique perspective of how the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment led to the evolution of the modern alcohol distribution system.

• April 10, 2011

  WSWA 68th Annual Convention & Exposition Kicks Off in Orlando

  Over 1,800 suppliers, importers, service providers and others from the wine and spirits industry gathered today at one the most prestigious industry events, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 68th Annual Convention & Exposition at the Grande Lakes Orlando Resort in Orlando.

• March 29, 2011

  Former Governor Bill Richardson Added to WSWA Convention Speaker Lineup

  The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has added Bill Richardson, former Governor of New Mexico, to its lineup of keynote speakers at the WSWA 68th Annual Convention & Exposition. An awards program and after party hosted by Maxim, Skyy Spirits and WSWA have also been added to the convention program. The event will be held at the Grande Lakes Orlando Resort in Orlando, April 10-13, 2011.

• March 17, 2011

  WSWA Applauds Introduction of Legislation Affirming States' Rights

  Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) today introduced legislation that will help keep the regulation of alcohol in the hands of locally-elected officials. Chaffetz was joined by Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Howard Coble (R-N.C.), John Conyers (D-Mich.), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Gary Miller (R-Calf.), Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.) in sponsoring the legislation. Referred to as the Community Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness (CARE) Act (H.R. 1161), this new legislation recognizes that alcohol is different from other consumer products and that it requires effective regulation.

• September 14, 2010

  WSWA Educational Foundation Announces Scholarship Winners

  The WSWA Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of its inaugural college scholarship competition. The foundation will award college scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to four talented children of WSWA member company employees.