2025 Annual Membership Forum

Our annual membership meeting for wholesaler members will kick-off with WSWA's new Board Chair Cutter Smith sharing his goals and priorities for the year. Following Cutter's discussion, SipSource Analyst Danny Brager will present a deep-dive on SipSource data and trends in our ever evolving and often challenging market. With a focus on year-to-date 2025 performance, emerging growth segments, and consumer behavior trends, this session is designed to provide actionable intelligence for strategic planning and decision-making. Topics will include category and segment performance snapshots, channel shifts across on and off premise, regional performance variations, consumer demand, all amidst macroeconomic factors. An interactive Q&A will follow.

WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton will walk attendees through what the association has achieved so far this year, our priorities for 2026, and how the WSWA team is executing the strategic plan. From key wins on Capitol Hill to expanded industry partnerships and data-driven initiatives, attendees will gain a clear picture of how WSWA is positioning the wholesale tier for long-term success. Don’t miss this inside look at the strategy, advocacy, and momentum shaping the future of the industry.

Finance Committee: Finance professionals from WSWA member companies generously volunteer their time to provide critical oversight of the association’s financial activities. The Finance Committee ensures transparency and accountability in how WSWA manages and invests the resources entrusted to it by its members. All Finance committee members are encouraged to attend this important association meeting. Closed meeting for Finance Committee members only.

CLD Committee: Open to Council for Leadership Development (CLD) Committee and any Forum attendees who would like to join an hour-long discussion on plans for 2026 CLD. Agenda items will include agenda topics, speakers and potential sponsors for future conferences.  

WSWA Educational Foundation Board: WSWA's Educational Foundation provides college scholarships to company employees' children and conducts research on behalf of our industry. Governed as a separate 501(c)(3) entity, the Board gathers several times a year to review finances and set strategic goals for the foundation.

Don’t miss this essential Annual Membership Forum session, where we’ll tackle the most pressing federal, state, and legal policy issues shaping the future of the wholesale tier. From the evolving federal tax and tariff landscape to the uncertain outlook for hemp policy and key state-level battles over DTC and intoxicating hemp legislation, this session will provide a comprehensive update on what’s happening—and what’s ahead. We’ll also dive into the critical legal challenges confronting the alcohol regulatory model and what they could mean for your business. Walk away with the insights and context you need to stay informed, engaged, and ahead of the curve.

AI is accelerating everything—and the wine and spirits sector is catching the wave. In this fast-paced session, leaders from thought provoking, modern technology companies share how they’re helping wholesaler companies in adjacent industries harness AI to streamline operations, improve sales and transform customer engagement. With real-world insights and cutting-edge strategies, this is your front-row seat to the innovation driving intelligent growth today—and redefining tomorrow.

Join fellow attendees during this hour long lunch and networking session. This is a great opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and build relationships to foster collaboration and community within our tier. After a full 24 hours of presentations and discussions on hot topics, use this time to provide additional thoughts and feedback to WSWA staff.