The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has launched a new educational, networking and professional development group designed for and led by senior wholesaler executives and employees from around the country—the WSWA Women’s Leadership Council. The group will host a first-of-its kind event September 14-15 in the nation’s capital to connect current and future leaders in the wholesale tier, and to forge ties between wholesalers as well as industry partners.
The group’s two-day conference will include in-depth policy briefings and issue discussions led by WSWA Government Affairs staff, as well as unique and valuable sessions on a host of current topics. Women Chiefs of Staff for Senators and Representatives will talk about how they forged their own paths to the top ranks of leadership, and Lee Dunn, a senior Google executive, will discuss her experiences as a female technology executive and talk about new digital trends and brand development tactics in the rapidly evolving online and mobile landscapes.
In addition, beverage experts will help attendees broaden their palette with a custom whiskey tasting and trend report, and top executives from other industry tiers and organizations will network with wholesaler attendees.
“The WSWA Women’s Leadership Council has in just over a year grown in size and scope and made a real impact among the nation’s wholesaler community. Our volunteer leaders began the year with an effective partnership and panel discussion at the popular Women of the Vine and Spirits Symposium, and will cap this year with a valuable and informative conference—all designed to better unite, create greater educational opportunities, and forge deep networking connections for tomorrow’s top industry professionals,” WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf said. “I encourage WSWA member companies to send their rising stars to this event where they can build strong ties and expand their base of policy and industry knowledge,” he added.
The WLC Conference is open to employees of WSWA member wholesaler companies. Prospective attendees can review the event marketing brochure here or click here to register. WSWA has secured a special attendee rate at Sofitel Washington, D.C., Lafayette Square, the event venue. WSWA launched a new educational video about the group which can be viewed here.
The WSWA WLC is led by Chair Dina Opici of Opici Family Distributing and Vice Chair Philana Bouvier of Young’s Market Company. Advisory Board members include Heather Alper of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Megan Ross Iaccino of Great Lakes Wine & Spirits; Stacy Gabel of Republic National Distributing Company; Lacey Sadoff of Badger Liquor Company; Monica Chaplin of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Hillary Wirtz of Breakthru Beverage; Jessica Cyr of Martignetti Companies; and Jenn Zenker of Breakthru Beverage.
WSWA is the national trade association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry, dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of wholesalers, distributors and brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has more than 370 member companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its members distribute more than 80 percent of all wine and spirits sold at wholesale in the U.S. Visit www.wswa.org to learn more.