2026 CLD Conference & NextGen Leaders Summit

NextGen Leaders only! Join your peers for an intimate dinner to connect with other industry leaders across the country.

Speakers:

• Moderator: Lori Stockel, Senior Director, Enterprise Learning & Development, Breakthru Beverage Group
• Moderator: Anne St. John, Senior Director, Field Coaching & Development, Breakthru Beverage Group
• Hillary Wirtz, Director DE&I, Breakthru Beverage Group
• Lowell Goldman, President, Lipman Brothers, LLC
• Justin Shaw, EVP, Marketing + Growth Strategy, MS Walker
• Ayesha Mahapatra, Corporate Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, RNDC

In today's business landscape, your executive brand can be the fine vintage that sets you apart. Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you cultivate your unique persona that resonates with authority and leadership. You will gain invaluable insights from seasoned executives and collaborate with peers to develop a personalized plan for elevating your executive presence, uncorking your potential for career growth and professional excellence.

Speaker: Danny Brager, Analyst, SipSource

2023 was a turbulent (and disappointing year) for many. Was it an aberration? Just a return to pre-COVID norms? Or a tipping point?

What do the numbers tell about 2024, and what we can expect going forward? Join beverage alcohol industry veteran and SipSource Analyst Danny Brager as he provides his analysis and opinions on what's to come in 2024 for the industry.

Speakers: 

• Francis Creighton, President & CEO, WSWA

• Dawson Hobbs, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, WSWA

• Jake Hegeman, Senior Vice President, Legal & Regulatory, General Counsel, WSWA

• Catherine McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Member Advocacy, WSWA

• Chelsea Crucitti, Vice President, State Affairs, WSWA

• Dwayne Carson, Senior Director, Federal Affairs, WSWA

Whether it's alcohol shipping or bottle deposits, policy debates impacting the future of the beverage alcohol sector occur every day in State Capitols and Washington, D.C. This session will walk through key legislative, regulatory and legal issues impacting the wholesale tier and provide a window into the work WSWA staff are doing to advocate for our industry.

Panelists:

• Natalie Shield, Principal, Kearney

• Chris Jallo, Executive & General Counsel, Luekens Wine & Spirits

• Sean Kelly, ABC Fine Wine & Liquors

Securing retail inventory while minimizing customer friction and limiting the impact on store employees is a difficult balancing act. Come listen to experts from Kearney, Florida retailers and leading wine and spirits supplier talk about the growing problems associated with organized retail theft. They will discuss costs and benefits associated with various security solutions as well as how producers and distributors can support their retail partners.

Speaker: Chester Santos, International Man of Memory

Feel like you cannot remember what you used to? Curious how to sharpen your skills? Join Chester Santos – “The International Man of Memory” as he showcases his unique ability to not only demonstrate extraordinary feats of the mind, but also educate all of us to do the same. A U.S. Memory Champion, widely regarded to be the world’s leading memory skills expert, Chester has helped millions of people around the world to realize the benefits of an improved memory and sharper mind. 

Speaker: Ajay Rai, Founder and CEO, Masava

Join Ajay Rai as he delves into the transformative impact of AI on the beverage alcohol industry. This session will explore how AI is not only enhancing but also disrupting traditional wholesale methodology, providing insights on leveraging AI to optimize business operations. Ajay will offer a top line education on AI, breaking down complex concepts into practical knowledge. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways to guide their teams in strategically integrating AI over the next few years, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

Speaker: Adriana McKinnon, Logistics & Supply Chain Director, Park Street Companies

Successfully shipping alcohol internationally requires careful planning, adherence to regulations, and implementing best practices to mitigate risks. In this talk, Adriana Mckinnon, Logistics & Supply Chain Director at Park Street, will share stories highlighting the greatest risks affecting international logistics, along with tips on how to effectively manage the complexities of transporting alcohol around the world.