Join us in Clearwater, Florida for this can’t miss event as our industry’s premier thought leaders gather to discuss the political, legislative, and legal issues facing America’s family-owned wholesalers.
Who should attend? WSWA wholesaler members, state association leadership, government affairs consultants, and regulatory staff are encouraged to attend.
It’s Back! Begin your WSPC experience with collaborative discussions on key issues facing our industry alongside other state associations and lobbyists. Learn more about successful strategies as well as lessons learned taken across the country you can adopt in your statehouse during next year’s legislative session.
Once you register, you will receive an email to choose the breakout issues you wish to participant.
Speakers:
Jake Hegeman, General Counsel, Senior Vice President of Legal and Regulatory, WSWA
Mary Clarke, Assistant General Counsel, Vice President of Legal and Regulatory, WSWA
Dawson Hobbs, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, WSWA
Colin Phillips, Manager, State Affairs, WSWA
Audrey Ramsden, Manager, State Affairs, WSWA
Tuesday morning is dedicated to taking a deep dive into the policy issue that caught fire this year, with WSWA having tracked over 140 bills in 36 states since January! Bring your questions! We’ll kick off with a hemp 101 tutorial, a level set of current regulatory and legislative landscapes. Then the conversation will move to a discussion reviewing legislative language considerations. Hear directly from the hemp industry with Diana Eberlein Chair, Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives. The session will end with an open forum and time to talk amongst your colleagues.
Speakers:
Diana Eberlein, Chair and Founder of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA)
Dawson Hobbs, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, WSWA
Diana will sit down with WSWA’s Dawson Hobbs for a deep dive assessment of the hemp industry. Named one of the Top 20 Most Influential Women in Cannabis, Diana has been at the center of the hemp industry and is sought-out expert in state houses and policy discussions around the country. Diana brings her unprecedented experience and knowledge to share the perspective of farmers, extractors, and the producer network. Bring your notebooks and questions for this essential discussion!
About Diana Eberlein:
Diana Eberlein is the Chair and Founder of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA) and Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) at Vertosa, the leading emulsion provider for the infused beverage industry. Widely recognized as one of the foremost voices shaping the future of THC beverages, Eberlein is at the forefront of advocacy, education, and regulatory engagement for the category.
In 2024, she founded CABA to unite industry leaders across the alcohol and intoxicating hemp beverage industries, creating a unified coalition to advance sensible regulation and policy for low-dose THC beverages. Through this work, she has become a central figure in guiding the conversation on responsible market development and regulatory frameworks nationwide.
Eberlein is a frequent speaker and educator, having presented on the THC beverage marketplace at premier stages including SXSW, Adweek NY, Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, BevNET Live, and the National Association of Convenience Stores Annual Conference. Beyond industry events, she has also advised legislators and regulators across the United States, providing the insights necessary to inform balanced policymaking and support the growth of this emerging category. Her leadership and influence have been widely recognized: in 2023, she was named to Marijuana Venture’s “40 Under 40,” and in 2024 she was honored as one of Benzinga’s “Top 20 Most Influential Women in Cannabis.”
Speakers:
Mary Clarke, Assistant General Counsel, Vice President of Legal and Regulatory, WSWA
Join the legal and regulatory team for a review of the latest litigation and regulatory policy issues impacting the industry. Expect a review of notable caselaw developments in the interstate retail shipping, direct-to-consumer, and self-distribution arenas along with the latest on TTB matters and emerging state regulatory issues the team is tracking.
Speakers:
Join us for an engaging conversation with veteran industry general counsel, Bill Tomaszewski and WSWA’s Jake Hegeman on the state of the beverage alcohol e-commerce market. Bringing his 22 years of experience and knowledge serving as Wine.com’s General Counsel to the stage, Bill will discuss the wine DTC market, impacts of new spirits shipping markets, the state of retail shipping, and delivery and novel e-commerce platforms.
About Bill Tomaszewski:
Bill Tomaszewski served as General Counsel for Wine.com from November 2003 until October 2025. His focus was working with state agencies on alcohol regulatory matters. Prior to Wine.com, Bill served 20 years with the Jersey City NJ Police Department, followed by a private legal practice specializing in traffic-related offenses. He now consults on a project-by-project basis for Wine.com, LLC. and other beverage alcohol related businesses. He is a sought-after speaker on alcohol related topics. Regularly speaking at conferences for the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA). He has given lectures at Cornell Law School and NYU Graduate School.
In his spare time, he founded Planet Bee Foundation in 2010 along with his wife, Debra. Planet Bee is an environmental educational nonprofit giving free lessons to schools across the US. Bill is currently the board president. When he is not doing any of the above you can find him on the trails backpacking in the Eastern Sierra California.
Speakers:
This year has seen significant developments in Washington. WSWA’s EVP, Government Affairs Dawson Hobbs will walk attendees through what these changes mean for our industry and how WSWA is working to advance wholesaler interests on Capitol Hill. Learn how WSWA is tackling major issues including anti-alcohol sentiment, comprehensive federal cannabis and hemp regulation, tariffs, the Section 199A Qualified Business Income Tax Deduction, and more.
Before you depart Clearwater, have one final conversation with colleagues over breakfast and a bloody Mary! This is the ideal casual setting to discuss what was learned at WSPC and forge meaningful connections that can be used in next year’s legislative session.
