Bethesda, MD - May 21, 2013

“With the explosion of new brands in our industry today, managing shelves is critical, but it is just as important for retailers to manage the face they present to customers through their website,” explained Beverage Media Chairman William Slone, who will also be participating in the discussion. “Through our close relationship with the trade we can offer substantial content and provide straightforward guidance to retailers both experienced and just getting started with eCommerce,” he added.

James Laurenti explained, “About a decade ago, when many of the first wine retailers created websites to sell their inventory online, the goal usually was to sell wine to consumers in whatever states they could, and to take advantage of the sparse competition on the internet. Today, however, the online marketplace is far more crowded, and the retailer’s ripest opportunities to attract repeat, loyal customers exist in their local market.”

Mr. Laurenti will detail why a retailer’s eCommerce should be approached not as a separate business, but as an extension to a brick-and-mortar store. In particular, stores can use their websites to help target new local consumers who haven’t previously shopped with the store—a segment that represents the best opportunity to grow the existing loyal customer base.

This session is scheduled for 10:00AM, Sunday, June 9, 2013. The primary emphasis is on retailer websites, but all convention registrants are welcome.

For more information about the 2013 ABL Annual Conference or to register, visit us online at www.ABLUSA.org/Conference.

Bill Georges

Bethesda, MD – May 17, 2013 – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) announced today that it will host Drunk Driving: Where are we and what do we need to do?, a seminar on drunk driving policy as part of the ABL Annual Conference on June 10, 2013.  The seminar will be conducted by Bill Georges, President and CEO of The Georges Group, which advises public and private entities on law enforcement and prevention efforts regarding beverage alcohol.

The seminar will take place less than a month after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that states lower their BAC laws from .08 to .05.  The proposal has been met with tepid support by a number of highway safety groups, but is nonetheless expected to come up in state legislatures in 2014, if not sooner.

“As the public, media, legislators and industry consider the implications of this week’s recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board that states cut BAC limits nearly in half, we’re excited to have Bill share his insights and thoughts,” said ABL Executive Director John D. Bodnovich.   “I am looking forward to hearing from a former law enforcement officer and expert on responsibility issues speak on how we can all work effectively to continue the fight against drunk driving.”

ABL has long been involved in the policy discussion over alcohol-related traffic safety measures and drunk driving.  In addition to recent developments in this area, the seminar will include an update on current and emerging technology, including ignition interlocks, and other drunk driving policy trends.

Mr. Georges spent nine years as senior vice president of The Century Council, a national, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to develop programs, strategies and tactics to fight alcohol misuse, drunk driving and underage drinking. He was responsible for overseeing the development, distribution and implementation of the Council’s award-winning programs and was also involved in related government relations and communications efforts.

A retired twenty-five year veteran of the Albany, New York Police Department, he ultimately achieved the rank of Assistant Chief/Chief of Patrol, and was temporarily assigned to the United States Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he worked on various national law enforcement initiatives.

For more information about the 2013 ABL Annual Conference or to register, visit us online at www.ABLUSA.org/Conference.

American Beverage Institute

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Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

The nation’s distillers are totally opposed to drunk driving and have a long history of supporting anti-drunk driving measures.  In 2001 we joined with MADD and other organizations to support the .08 BAC level.  In 2006 we joined the Campaign To Eliminate Drunk Driving and reiterated our strong support for the .08 BAC level and stiff sanctions against repeat offenders and high BAC drunk drivers including the use of mandatory interlocks.  In 2011 we supported funding for interlock technology through the Roads Safe Act.

Over the past decade the NTSB has repeatedly highlighted the need to target “hardcore drunk drivers,” those with high BAC levels of .15 or greater or repeat offenders who are involved in more than 70% of the alcohol related driving fatalities.  This work to eliminate the hardcore drunk driver is far from complete.  We join with other organizations, including those engaged in traffic safety, in maintaining our strong support for the strict enforcement of the .08 BAC level and continuing the fight against hardcore drunk drivers.  Progress has been made in decreasing alcohol-related traffic fatalities.  Reducing the BAC level will not be an effective strategy.

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Beer Institute

The Beer Institute and its members recognize the severity of drunk driving and have invested in national advertising campaigns and hundreds of programs and initiatives to create awareness and education around solutions to help reduce drunk driving. Many of our members promote programs that offer free rides home or remind legal age consumers to plan ahead for the use of a designated driver. In addition, brewers have developed many partnerships with retailers, law enforcement and traffic safety organizations to help put an end to drunk driving.

While there is still work that needs to be done, in 2011, drunk-driving deaths fell to a record-low—down 53 percent since first measured in 1982—according to data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Over the past five years, there has been a 27 percent decline in drunk driving fatalities.

“There’s no question that there’s more work to be done here,” said president of the Beer Institute, Joe McClain. “But these latest indicators show that our efforts have played an important role in the progress we see today. We will continue to work with retailers, policy makers, law enforcement and communities across the country to reduce those rates to zero. We are committed to responsibility and to keeping our roadways safe.”

“With regard to the NTSB’s recommendation to lower the legal BAC level from .08 to .05, we plan to examine the Board’s full report and recommendations before we comment further,” added McClain. “However, we strongly encourage policymakers to direct their efforts where we know we can get results: by focusing on repeat offenders and increasing penalties on those with BAC of .15 or more.”

To learn more about how America’s brewers and beer importers are committed to responsibility, visit www.BeerInstitute.org/responsibility.

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Century Council

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently issued new recommendations to eliminate alcohol-impaired driving. The Century Council applauds the NTSB for its continued focus and leadership on this important national issue.

The recommendations are the result of a yearlong effort to identify new approaches designed to reach zero impaired driving fatalities on our nation’s highways. The Century Council supports a number of the approaches identified by the NTSB including DWI Courts, programs to reduce recidivism by repeat DWI offenders, calling on states to establish measureable goals for reducing impaired driving, and the development and distribution of best practices designed to increase ignition interlock compliance.

The Century Council has been a leader in the fight against drunk driving for more than twenty years through its advocacy initiatives, public awareness campaigns and research. The Council’s guiding principles rest on its support for the .08 BAC standard as part of a comprehensive plan to fight drunk driving including a focus on hardcore drunk drivers who are involved in a disproportionate share of the impaired driving fatalities on our highways.

Impaired driving is a complex web of behavioral, technological, legal, and judicial realities which converge in a judicial system already operating at capacity.  As a result only comprehensive solutions will ultimately prove effective.

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Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) appreciates the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for bringing the American public’s attention to the fact that drinking and driving continues to be a major problem on our highways — killing almost 10,000 people a year — and that additional steps have to be taken to save the unnecessary loss of life and injuries that occur as a result of these crashes. Above all, MADD strongly recommends that the safest course of action is not to drink and drive.

The focus of MADD’s advocacy remains on the continued implementation of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® (CEDD). It is important to note that the Campaign has been structured to maximize the number of lives saved as quickly as possible and, when fully implemented, is projected to save approximately 8,000 lives a year.

“As a mother whose child was killed by a drunk driver, the most important thing to me is preventing as many families as possible from suffering similar tragedies,” said MADD National President Jan Withers. “I believe MADD’s focus on the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is the most effective strategy in accomplishing that mission. MADD is focused on eliminating this completely preventable tragedy from our roadways.”

The U.S. Congress adopted the CEDD as national policy when it approved surface transportation reauthorization legislation, known as MAP-21, in 2012. Through the CEDD’s three elements of increased high visibility law enforcement, state laws requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted offenders, and research toward the development of advanced technology to prevent a drunk driver from operating a vehicle, the CEDD is leading the nation toward the elimination of drunk driving as the leading cause of highway fatalities. The CEDD also enjoys widespread support, including that of the NTSB, which in December 2012 recommended that states enact all-offender ignition interlock laws and endorsed advanced drunk driving prevention technology research.

MADD is committed to serving all victims of substance impaired driving, regardless of impairment levels. MADD’s 1-877-MADD-HELP line is available 24 hours a day, and MADD serves a victim of impaired driving every eight minutes.

MADD will continue to focus its attention and resources toward the CEDD’s proven drunk driving countermeasures, which does not include lowering the BAC per se level, in order to have the greatest impact on saving lives. The goal of the CEDD is to have no more future victims.

For more information about the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, visit www.madd.org/campaign.

May 14, 2013

 “Today’s recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board to arbitrarily redefine drunk driving does not address the problem at its core and would dilute current efforts to stop repeat offenders and those who drive with high BAC.  If implemented, the recommendation would effectively criminalize the activities of law-abiding social drinkers who, by wide majority, are responsible consumers.  This recommendation also goes way beyond what public health groups – including Mothers Against Drunk Driving – call for to fight drunk driving.

Drunk driving is unacceptable.  Despite the great strides we’ve made to change our culture when it comes drunk driving, we all agree that more work needs to be done.  We will continue to work with policymakers, regulators and public officials to support effective drunk driving policies while opposing those that undermine the important efforts already being made in this fight.”

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“The retail tier is where the industry comes together, and that will certainly be the case at this year’s ABL Conference,” said Bodnovich.   “While we share many of the same views, each tier and segment does focus on specific topics, and we’re looking forward to providing a forum in which these opinion leaders can discuss the key issues.”

Alcohol industry leaders participating in the roundtable include:

Dr. Peter Cressy President/CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Dr. Peter Cressy joined Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) in September 1999 after six years as chancellor of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. He served 28 years in the United States Navy, retiring as a Rear Admiral.

Joe McClain President, Beer Institute

Joe McClain was appointed as President of the Beer Institute in 2010, after a 29-year career in the U.S. Navy.  As the head of the Beer Institute, Capt. McClain oversees the national trade association representing companies which produce and import more than ninety percent of the beer sold in the United States.

Craig Purser President/CEO, National Beer Wholesalers Association

Craig Purser became President of National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) in 2005 and has been with the association for over 10 years. He has been instrumental in the strategic positioning of NBWA in the areas of government, public and political affairs and has led the charge by NBWA to strengthen the Three-Tier System of beer distribution and state-based regulation.

Craig Wolf President and CEO, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America

Craig Wolf has led the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers since 2006, after 7 years as WSWA’s General Counsel.  Mr. Wolf and WSWA represent 355 wine and spirits wholesalers and brokers whose members operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about the 2013 ABL Annual Conference or to register, visit us online at www.ABLUSA.org/Conference.

The history of the American tavern dates back to the earliest days of the formation of the American experiment. It was often a tavern that was one of the first buildings erected in a settlement when the British settlers landed.  Taverns would continue to serve an important role in building support for the American Revolution, before evolving into the variety of over 300,000 establishments that dot our cities and towns today and keep this very American tradition of community alive.

“This May, we call on everyone who has ever visited their local bar or tavern – be it as a place of employment or to simply join friends and family over a beverage – to celebrate the places and people who make memories possible,” said John Bodnovich, Executive Director of the American Beverage Licensees.

“You will not find a more engaged group of businesspeople than your local bar and tavern owners,” continued Bodnovich.  “From making sure that age-restricted products are sold responsibly, to warmly welcoming regulars and strangers alike into their businesses, bar and tavern owners are the face of the hospitality industry.”

This month, when tavern-goers raise their glasses, they will also be giving a boost to the economy.  A recent economic impact report has shown that bars, taverns and other on-premise beverage alcohol retailers provide nearly one million American jobs and are responsible for over $56 billion in economic impact.  They also provide billions in tax revenue to federal, state and local governments.

“By supporting other industries and contributing to their local economies, the story of America’s bars and taverns goes beyond just the sale of beer, wine and spirits,” said Bodnovich. “Whether it’s serving up a hot meal or sponsoring a local sports league, the community impact of bars and taverns is significant and shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

As visible members of their communities, independent bar and tavern owners continue to place a strong emphasis on providing responsible service by training employees and incorporating programs to promote responsibility.  By utilizing technology and working with law enforcement and regulatory groups, licensees continue to lead the way in responsible beverage service.

Tavern Month has been celebrated each May for 60 consecutive years, first by the National Licensed Beverage Association, and now by its successor, American Beverage Licensees.  ABL, the largest national trade association dedicated to supporting and promoting the beverage alcohol retail community, is once again joined by its state and local bar & tavern affiliates this year to spread the word: May is Tavern Month…Let’s Celebrate!

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 American Beverage Licensees is the preeminent national trade association for beverage alcohol retailers.  Establishments that sell beverage alcohol in the United States employ as many as 1.4 million people with well-paying jobs.  Of its nearly 20,000 on-premise and off-premise licensee members, most are independent and often family-owned establishments.  These small business owners are part of an industry that pays over $16.3 billion in federal taxes and $14.7 billion in state and local taxes.  

]]> http://ablusa.org/2013/04/abl-celebrates-tavern-month-this-may/feed/ 0 http://ablusa.org/2013/04/abl-conference-to-feature-imported-beer-reception-sponsored-by-national-association-of-beverage-importers/ http://ablusa.org/2013/04/abl-conference-to-feature-imported-beer-reception-sponsored-by-national-association-of-beverage-importers/#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:16:02 +0000 abladmin http://ablusa.org/?p=1174 In what has become the signature opening event for its annual meeting, American Beverage Licensees (ABL) announced today that the National Association of Beverage Importers (NABI) will once again host the Opening Night Welcome Reception at the 2013 ABL Conference on June 9, 2013 in Alexandria, Virginia.  The reception will feature imported beer brands from NABI member companies including Anheuser-Busch InBev, Crown Imports, Heineken USA and Sapporo with more to be added.

This will mark the eleventh consecutive year that the ABL Conference’s Opening Night Reception has featured imported beer and the fifth consecutive year that is has been sponsored by NABI.  The event will continue as one of the social highlights of the conference, providing attendees with a chance to network with their fellow retailers while enjoying beer from around the world.

“Imported beer has been a steady and important segment for beverage retailers for many years,” said John Bodnovich, ABL’s Executive Director.  “We’re excited that NABI will be showcasing its members’ brands at the ABL Conference and reminding us all that Americans have a world of beer choices thanks to beverage importers who bring Belgium, Mexico, Holland, Japan and so many other places to Americans’ glasses.”

This year’s Opening Night Reception will be held at Virtue Feed & Grain, a 21^st century American tavern located just steps from the Potomac River in historic Old Town Alexandria.  The tavern takes its name from the building’s long-ago function as a feed house from the 1800’s.  In addition to a wide variety of imported beer, the reception will feature heavy hors d’ouevres.

The reception will take place Sunday, June 9, from 6:00-8:00pm.  Alexandria’s King Street Trolley will provide attendees with a free ride from the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, ABL’s conference hotel, through Old Town and directly to the tavern.

For more information about the 2013 ABL Annual Conference or to register, visit us online at www.ABLUSA.org/Conference.

“Whether it’s beer, wine or spirits, the increasing presence of smaller, local producers has been a big story the past few years,” said ABL Executive Director John D. Bodnovich.  “We’re excited to explore what these small businesses have in common with the independently-owned businesses that ABL represents.”

Participating in the panel are Wesley Henderson, the COO of Louisville Distilling Company, and Bill Butcher, the Founder of Port City Brewing Company.   Rounding out the panel will be a boutique wine producer.  The roundtable will focus on the effect that craft products have had on the industry and gaining craft producers’ perspective, including their relationship with on-premise and off-premise independent retailers.

Wesley Henderson is Chief Operating Officer at the Louisville Distilling Company, creating Angel’s Envy Bourbon. Mr. Henderson presides over every aspect of the company’s production and operations. Before the opportunity to partner with his father on this brand, he served as president and COO of Master Distiller Select, providing consultancy services to craft distillers. Prior to that, Mr. Henderson was president and CEO of Conecuh Ridge Distillery, and President of a division of consumer products giant Tyco International.  An active member of the American Distilling Institute, Mr. Henderson is also a FAA certified pilot and volunteer firefighter.

Bill Butcher founded Port City Brewing Co. in Alexandria, Virginia in 2011, after 18 years in the fine wine business. He spent many years working with Robert Mondavi Wine Company building world-class fine wine brands in the Mid-Atlantic market. Bill’s expertise in fine wine sales and the three-tier distribution system helped him quickly establish Port City Brewing as a quality leader in the D.C and Mid-Atlantic craft beer market. Port City Brewing now distributes in New Jersey, Maryland, DC, Virginia and North Carolina.

The roundtable will be held Monday afternoon, June 10, at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, ABL’s Conference hotel.   On Monday evening, the ABL Top Shelf Award Banquet, sponsored by the Distilled Spirits Council, will recognize ABL’s 2013 Top Shelf Award recipient, Craig Wolf.  Mr. Wolf is the President and CEO of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.

For more information about the 2013 ABL Annual Conference or to register, visit us online at www.ABLUSA.org/Conference.

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American Beverage Licensees is the preeminent national trade association for beverage alcohol retailers.  Establishments that sell beverage alcohol in the United States employ as many as 1.4 million people with well-paying jobs.  Of its nearly 20,000 on-premise and off-premise licensee members, most are independent and often family-owned operators.  These small business owners are part of an industry that pays over $16.3 billion in federal taxes and $14.7 billion in state and local taxes.  To learn more about ABL, visit www.ablusa.org.

While the conference program will focus on legislative priorities and the broader world of politics and government, ABL is proud to announce that the conference will also include several business seminars, intended to provide licensees with tools and information to protect and grow their businesses.

Fake ID: What Licensees Need to Know, featuring Martin Johnson, will discuss best practices for licensees to protect themselves against false identification.  A retired detective from Howard County, Maryland, Johnson is an expert in document identification, and certified as an educator by the Department of Homeland Security.  He teaches law enforcement officers, retail industry representatives, and other government agents how to detect fraudulent identity documents, and has examined thousands of identity documents involved in criminal cases and has personally investigated hundreds of other cases involving counterfeit identification.

Understanding New Healthcare Laws will be led by Neil Trautwein, current Vice President of the Employee Benefits Policy Council at the National Retail Federation (NRF).  With the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the effect of the Affordable Care Act on small business owners and retailers, this seminar will explain the law’s impact on a beverage retailer.  Trautwein heads NRF’s work on health care reform and other benefits-related legislation and regulatory issues, and has testified before Congress on healthcare law implications for retailers.  He is currently focused on developing short-term tactics and long-term strategy aimed toward helping retailers provide workers with competitive benefits while controlling costs.

“ABL’s aim is to provide its members with valuable, timely information on the issues that their businesses face and that have an impact on their bottom line,” said ABL Executive Director John D. Bodnovich.  “These seminars on fake ID and healthcare – two things that every ABL member deals with on a daily basis – as well as the remainder of the conference schedule, are another means of serving our members so that they can continue to succeed in the current business and regulatory environment.”

Both seminars will be held Monday afternoon at the conference site, the Hilton Alexandria Old Town.  On Monday evening, the ABL Top Shelf Award Banquet sponsored by the Distilled Spirits Council, will recognize ABL’s 2013 Top Shelf Award Recipient, Craig Wolf.  Mr. Wolf is the President and CEO of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.

For more information about the 2013 ABL Annual Conference or to register, visit us online at www.ABLUSA.org/Conference.

“Beverage retailers, both on- and off-premise, continue to do their part to promote responsible alcohol consumption,” said John D. Bodnovich, ABL’s Executive Director. “From training their staff on responsible customer service, to checking identification, and promoting national responsibility campaigns, ABL’s independent retailers are engaged in the fight against drunk driving and underage access to alcohol.”

Responsible sales and service is a central to ABL’s mission and the independent retailers it represents.  ABL’s “Drink Responsibly. Drive Responsibly.” program works to prevent incidents of drunk driving.  ABL also works with like-minded industry organizations and the federal government to support the We Don’t Serve Teens campaign, working with local businesses to prevent underage access to alcohol.

America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers also engage with third-parties such as the Responsible Retailing Forum and the Responsible Hospitality Institute to identify prominent practices when it comes to creating a safe and vibrant alcohol marketplace.  These groups bring together the views of the regulatory, enforcement, prevention and alcohol industry communities to encourage collaboration and exchanges of ideas on shared goals.

While retailers are committed to finding solutions for alcohol abuse problems, they are also working to create awareness of social sources of alcohol.  Parents are more influential than anyone when it comes to the attitudes of youth toward alcohol, and friends and family members who illegally provide alcohol to those who are underage need to be aware that they are breaking the law.

“Beverage licensees across the country are eager to join the conversation this April,” said Bodnovich.  “Working to understand how to prevent alcohol misuse and abuse means putting our support behind effective policies and using our resources to advocate for responsible retailers.”