BETHESDA, MD – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) announced today that it will hold the 2023 ABL Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri on June 10-11, 2023. The meeting will be held at Live! by Loews – St. Louis and will feature speakers, networking opportunities and hospitality for on- and off-premise beverage licensees and members of the beverage alcohol industry.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring the ABL Annual Meeting to the Heartland with the iconic backdrop of America’s Pastime just steps away,” said ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich.  “This year’s annual meeting will focus on how beverage retailers can ‘swing for the fences’ in a rapidly changing alcohol industry and retail business environment.”

The annual meeting program will cover a range of topics facing beverage retailers with insights shared by top practitioners in the beverage alcohol, regulatory, legal and policy fields.  Key issues will include industry competition, workforce and labor issues, inflation and economic pressures, supply chain shifts, enforcement and regulation of alcohol laws and much more.  Meeting attendees will be able to bring insights and information back from the conference to their states to help them be stronger advocates for themselves and their businesses.

“ABL turns 21 years old this summer, marking a familiar number for bar, tavern and package liquor store owners.  We’re excited to celebrate this milestone for the trade association and our members and emphasize the important place independent beverage retailers have in the American economy,” said Bodnovich.

With the annual meeting taking place in Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis, meeting attendees will have easy access to sports and entertainment – in addition to soon-to-be-announced hospitality events at the ABL Annual Meeting.

Additional information – including sponsorship opportunities, registration and room rates, speakers, schedule, and hospitality events – will be announced in the coming weeks. For the latest updates and information on the 2023 ABL Annual Meeting, be sure to visit www.ablusa.org.

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BETHESDA, MD – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) today announced Provi, the largest ecommerce marketplace for the beverage alcohol industry, has joined its membership program as an associate member. As ABL’s newest member, Provi will provide education and perspective around the emergence of technology and its ability to streamline efficiencies for on-and-off premise retailers.

Digital solutions, like Provi, have been widely adopted throughout the industry to optimize revenue, strengthen connections, and generate growth for the overall beverage alcohol sector. Trade buyers, specifically, have leaned on digital tools to lessen burdens stemming from macro-economic challenges such as labor shortages and inflation.

“We are excited for Provi to become ABL’s newest Associate Member, and to share with beverage licensees another tool they have to make their businesses more efficient and profitable,” said ABL Executive Director, John Bodnovich. “Successful bar owners and package liquor store owners are increasingly making use of technology solutions to grow their businesses and stay on top of new products and brands while still operating in a three-tier compliant way. Provi gives these small business owners another way to search, discover and order the products their consumers rely on.”

Founded in 2016, Provi’s mission is to bring greater efficiency to the beverage alcohol industry and the existing three tier system. Alongside its digital solutions, the company also generates content-driven resources for retailers through its publishing vehicles, Beverage Media Group and SevenFifty Daily.

“Our goal is to make the jobs across the retail, distributor, and supplier tiers easier,” stated Taylor Katzman, Provi’s Founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to be part of ABL to further educate its beverage licensee members on how to effectively navigate through the digital transformation of our sector and reduce the day-to-day challenges they deal with.”

Through its Associate Membership Program, ABL will provide Provi with opportunities to connect with beverage retailers to exchange perspectives, resources and expertise, and provide support on emerging issues. Provi’s membership with ABL is an expansion of the company’s ongoing efforts to support key organizations throughout the beverage alcohol sector such as DISCUS, WSWA, NBWA, Massachusetts Package Store Association, and hospitality associations throughout the country.

To learn more about Provi, visit https://www.provi.com/

 

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About ABL (www.ablusa.org)

American Beverage Licensees (ABL) is the preeminent national trade association for beverage alcohol retailers.  Direct retail beverage alcohol sales in the United States generate more than a 2.03 million well-paying jobs.  ABL’s thousands of on-premise and off-premise licensee members are independent and often family-owned establishments.  The beverage retailing industry pays over $27.9 billion in federal taxes and $20.0 billion in state and local taxes.

About Provi (www.provi.com)

Provi is the largest online marketplace that simplifies the complex process of ordering wholesale alcohol by connecting buyers, distributors and suppliers. Active in key markets throughout the U.S., Provi’s robust, online marketplace improves communication and efficiency for on- and off-premise buyers, distributors and suppliers. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Chicago, Provi received Built In Chicago’s Best Places to Work recognition in 2022. In 2022, Provi joined forces with SevenFifty, which included the Beverage Media properties with industry legacy dating back to the repeal of prohibition, along with SevenFifty Daily, an award-winning industry publication discussing the beverage alcohol business and culture.

Media Contacts:

ABL:

Susan Duffy

Senior Director of Operations & Trade Relations

day@ablusa.org

(301) 956-3657

Provi:

Kelley McGann

Director of Corporate Communication

kelley.mcgann@provi.com

(845) 494-3784

November 30, 2022 — BETHESDA, MD – With the December around the corner, America’s package liquor stores are looking to build on a busy start to the holiday season in November with a push to meet consumer needs into the holidays and the New Year.

Not only did off-premise alcohol retailers celebrate Package Liquor Store Month this November, they also participated in the re-launch of the “We Don’t Serve Teens” campaign, promoting the responsible sales and service of beer, wine, and spirits.  And while their on-premise tavern and bar colleagues were busy serving customers on Thanksgiving Eve or “National Bar Night”, as it’s known to many, local package stores were busy recommending drink pairings for Thanksgiving dinners, keeping the shelves stocked on Black Friday, and serving their communities and neighbors who stopped by to support these trusted home-grown businesses on Small Business Saturday.

November was also a busy time for package stores in states like Colorado and Massachusetts, where they engaged in campaigns on ballot initiatives that directly affect their businesses, employees, and customers.  Despite being vastly outspent by out-of-state corporations and national chains, state retail beverage organizations notched victories for their members, educated the public and elected officials about their businesses, and did their part to preserve vibrant independent beverage alcohol marketplaces for their communities.

In Washington, DC, off-premise beverage licensees continue their grassroots advocacy for pro-small business legislation, including fighting for the passage of the Credit Card Competition Act, which would bring much-needed competition to the broken credit card payment system; making sure that changes to federal data privacy laws work for Main Street businesses; and sharing their experience when it comes to trade practice laws and other regulations to ensure a competitive beverage alcohol market.  These efforts come after package liquor stores were almost universally recognized as essential businesses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The economic impact of off-premise businesses is significant.  The 2020 Economic Impact Study of America’s Beer, Wine & Spirits Retailers found that off-premise retailers have a direct economic impact in excess of $50 billion annually. These retailers further account for more than 620,000 jobs and $22 billion in wages and benefits – along with generating $21 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.

While their economic impact is notable, package liquor stores also play a vital public safety role. Whether preventing counterfeit or tainted alcohol from reaching the hands of consumers; using technology and training to make sure that customers are at least 21 years of age; or working with industry partners and regulators to ensure local accountability – including proper tax collection – package liquor stores are doing their part in America’s beverage alcohol ecosystem.

With a busy Package Liquor Store Month coming to a close, and even busier times ahead, ABL encourages everyone to support their local, independent package liquor store this holiday season.  Cheers!

November 15, 2022 — BETHESDA, MD – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) announced its support today for the re-launch of the “We Don’t Serve Teens” campaign, underscoring beverage alcohol retailers’ commitment to preventing underage access to alcohol and alerting adults to the dangers of illegally providing alcohol to minors.

America’s Beer, Wine & Spirits Retailers have supported the We Don’t Serve Teens program since its inception in 2006 as part of a longstanding effort by ABL to address underage access to alcohol.  ABL is proud to once again to stand with alcohol regulators, industry partners and community organizations to amplify the We Don’t Serve Teens campaign’s important message.

“As shoppers and patrons get ‘in the spirit’ in the coming weeks, many of them will choose to include beer, wine and spirits as part of their celebrations,” said ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich. “During this busy time – though truly all year around – beverage licensees recognize and embrace the role they play when it comes to preventing underage access to alcohol through vigilance, training and responsible sales and service.”

ABL state affiliate associations are also joining the We Don’t Serve Teens campaign this fall.  These organizations and their member businesses will be promoting the program and its clear message in their local communities and to their customers, be they at the local bar or package liquor store.  This grassroots connection is a hallmark of independent retailers who are locally licensed and the last to handle beer, wine and spirits before they reach consumers.  With close proximity to customers and their authenticity as locally owned small businesses, independent beverage licensees are an essential link in the three-tier responsibility chain and terrific ambassadors to deliver the We Don’t Serve Teens message.

“The We Don’t Serve Teens campaign is an important piece of the bigger puzzle when it comes preventing underage access to alcohol,” said Bodnovich. “We Don’t Serve Teens raises the issue with adults and parents, which is critical in making sure underage drinking continues to decline. Truly the message is We Don’t Serve Teens…and neither should you.”

For more information about the We Don’t Serve Teens campaign, including customizable materials that can be downloaded for display and use, please visit www.wedontserveteens.org.

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American Beverage Licensees (ABL) recognized outstanding bar and package liquor store owners from across the country as ABL Retailers of the Year at the ABL Annual Meeting in New Orleans in July.  Nominated by their state licensed beverage associations for excellence in advocacy, commitment to responsible sales and service practices, community engagement, and support of their state association, these leaders are ambassadors of the vibrant retail alcohol marketplaces found in states throughout the country.

“The Retailer of the Year Awards provide ABL with an opportunity to honor our members – those individuals who serve as the face of the beverage alcohol industry to customers,” said ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich.  “After the last two years, we know how important they are in their communities and the role they play in keeping the social fabric of our country intact.”

Whether operating on-premise bars or taverns, or off-premise beer, wine and liquor stores, these business owners are fitting examples of American entrepreneurship and the small businesses that create jobs that power the economy.

Due the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cancellation of in-person ABL Annual Meetings in 2020 and 2021, this year ABL recognized Retailers of the Year from 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The 2020 ABL Retailers of the Year include:

• Adam Blau | The Liquor Box | Independence, KY
• Doug Bryant | Sherlock’s | Marietta, GA
• Marshele Burgess | Rip’s Country Inn | Bowie, MD
• Judd Campbell | The Historic Wolf Hotel and Restaurant | Saratoga, WY
• Steve Conrad | Conrad’s Saloon | Ashkum, IL
• Joe Hobbs | High Note Liquors | Nashville, TN
• Johnny Hudson & Jennifer Elliott | Catch 22 Bar | Tuscaloosa, AL
• Deanna Johnson | Fowler Liquors | Fowler, IN
• David LiSacchi | Midnight Liquors | Tonawanda, NY
• Massachusetts Retailer Plaintiffs in the 2020 Ballot Initiative Lawsuit | Massachusetts Package Stores Association | Westborough, MA
• Justine Palmer | The Pour House/Midtown Tavern | Bozeman, MT
• Jay Patel | Liquor at Ovation | Davenport, FL
• Roshan Patel | C-Mart Spirits | Northport, AL
• Brad Schinke | Kamps Bar & Grill | Combined Locks, WI
• Jimmy Spiropoulos | Town Center Market | Riverdale, MD
• Scott Sturgeon | Party Stop, Inc. | Amarillo, TX

 

The 2021 ABL Retailers of the Year include:

• Jennifer Collison | Local Folks | Burlington, WI
• Neal Pascale | Pascale’s Liquors | Liverpool, NY
• Robert Selby | Kappy’s Fine Wine & Spirits | Everett, MA
• Henry Tucker | Tuckers’ Southside Package & Lounge | Lakeland, FL
• Kent Wiese | The Corner Keg | Highland, IL

 

The 2022 ABL Retailers of the Year include:

• Stacy Barr & Mark Barr | Big Mike’s | Big Spring, TX
• Marshele Burgess | Rips’s Country Inn | Bowie, MD
• Judd Campbell | Hotel Wolf | Saratoga, WY
• Meghan Cimini-Jones | Yankee Spirits | Sturbridge, MA
• Connie Cornmesser | Hey Bryan’s | East Moline, IL
• David Dean | Friendship Package | Opp, AL
• Don Mjelde | Richard Crainiums | Green Bay, WI
• Mark Notarius | Premium Wine & Spirits | Williamsville, NY
• Gary Reckers | Top Shelf Liquors | Milton, GA
• Travis Scheidt | Cork Liquors | Columbus, IN
• Neal Simms & The Simms Family | B&S Liquors | Panama City, FL
• Jeff Sirkin | Gallette’s | Tuscaloosa, AL
• Jimmy Spiropoulos | Town Center Market | Riverdale, MD

 

ABL congratulates all of the honored businesses and licensees for their outstanding and continued contributions to their communities and the beverage alcohol the industry.

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BETHESDA, MD – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) celebrated its 20^th anniversary of representing independent on- and off-premise beer, wine and spirits retailers at the ABL Annual Meeting this July in New Orleans.  ABL also welcomed its new President, Bobby Greenawalt of B&B Beverage Management in Auburn, Alabama, who was elected to a two-year term.

“As a former president of the Alabama Beverage Licensees Association and with his experience as an ABL Vice President and Chairman of the ABL Communications & Membership Committee, Bobby brings his knowledge of ABL and the industry to his new role,” said ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich.  “I’m excited to get to work with him as ABL and retailers chart a course in the rapidly evolving alcohol marketplace.”

Greenawalt’s B&B Beverage Management is a full-service beverage company that facilitates on premise events throughout the country such as weddings, tailgates, global sporting events, venue management, and more.  Driven by mission of providing safe, professional, and responsible service of alcoholic beverages, B&B Beverage Management is a leader in alcohol service at large scale events.

“I am honored to be elected as ABL’s next President,” said Greenawalt.  “In a time of legislative uncertainty in the alcohol industry, having the trust of America’s beverage licensees is humbling and I am excited to lead the efforts alongside the ABL staff and Board of Directors to promote and protect their interests.  Promoting fair and legal industry practices while protecting the sanctity of the Three-Tier System is a priority of ABL and I look forward to dedicating my time to those efforts.”

“I look forward to meeting with leaders of other beverage alcohol organizations and companies to share ABL members’ views and express our interest in working together to preserve and grow the hospitality industry,” Greenawalt added.

ABL recognized beverage retailers and leaders at the meeting for their achievements:

• The ABL Top Shelf Award recognized “Independent Beverage Retailers” who over the past two years have fought to keep their businesses afloat, staff employed, and adapted their business models to serve their communities.

 

• The ABL President’s Award was presented to Pete Madland of the Tavern League of Wisconsin for his more than four decades of service to ABL, its predecessor associations and the Tavern League.

 

• The ABL President’s Award was also presented to Mike Moser of the Wyoming State Liquor Association (WSLA) for his long-time chairmanship of the ABL Government Affairs Committee, his service on the ABL Board of Directors and his success as the leader of WSLA.

 

• The ABL Retailer of the Year Awards for 2020, 2021 and 2022 were presented to those beverage retailers who excel in advocacy; responsible sales and service; community engagement; and support of their state retail beverage associations.

 

Annual Meeting attendees heard from an array of speakers from the public and private sectors who covered a wide range of topics.  Industry analysts Danny Brager and Dale Stratton provided an overview of beverage industry trends and economics, and where the beverage business is headed.  Chris Black from Falling Rock Tap House shared his views on how bars and taverns can compete with tap rooms, while J.T. Griffin offered his perspective on impaired driving laws and regulations based on his deep policy experience.  Attendees also learned about the issues facing liquor law enforcement agencies from Carrie Christofes of the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association.

ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich spent time on-stage interviewing Dave Christman of the National Beer Wholesalers Association on trends in state alcohol policy, and talked with Carrie May from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on TTB priorities – including the Treasury Department’s report on competition in the alcohol industry.  Harry Schuhmacher and Sarah Barrett, respectively from Beer Business Daily and Wine & Spirits Daily, closed the general session with their reflections on a range of issues from ready-to-drink (RTD) products to other emerging trends in the marketplace.

In addition to conference support from brewing industry leaders Anheuser-Busch and Molson-Coors, meeting attendees participated in a tour and tasting experience at Sazerac House, where they learned about the growth of cocktail culture while enjoying some of signature drinks of New Orleans.

The annual meeting also saw the election of a new slate of leadership to the ABL Executive Committee.  Joining President Greenawalt on the ABL Executive Committee are Josh Hammond of Buster’s Liquors & Wines in Memphis, Tennessee, who will serve as Vice President – Off-Premise; Steve Morris of Jorgenson’s Restaurant & Lounge in Helena, Montana who will serve as Vice President – On-Premise; and Keith Kern of Jimmy’s Saloon in Superior, Wisconsin who will serve as an At-Large member of the Executive Committee.  J.J. Moran, of the Four Winds Liquor & Lounge in Cheyenne, Wyoming, will transition from ABL President to immediate Past-President and continue his service on the ABL Executive Committee.

For these newly elected ABL officers, leadership roles are nothing new.  Josh Hammond is the past-president of the Tennessee Wine & Spirits Retailers Association.  Steve Morris is a past-president of both ABL and the Montana Tavern Association.  Keith Kern is currently serving as the President of the Tavern League of Wisconsin and served for five years on the Superior, Wisconsin City Council.

They join Treasurer Mat Dinsmore of Wilbur’s Total Beverage in Fort Collins, Colorado; Vice President Jay Gesner of Souse’s Lounge in Rockford, Illinois; Vice President Juan Negrin of Super Wine Warehouse in Paterson, New Jersey; and At-Large member Terry Harvath of the Wishing Well Bar & Grill in Appleton, Wisconsin on the ABL Executive Committee.

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June 1, 2022 – Bethesda, MD – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) issued the following statement in response to an opinion by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding North Carolina’s alcohol shipping law:

“With its ruling today, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals joined the Sixth Circuit, Eight Circuit, and most of the beverage alcohol industry in recognizing the primacy of the 21^st Amendment in Constitutional challenges to state alcohol laws.

“The 4^th Circuit’s thorough and considered opinion made clear that differences between states’ three-tier systems are acceptable, as is a state’s ‘interest in preserving its three-tier system for alcohol distribution.’

“As the court points out: ‘the Twenty-first Amendment is not an either-or proposition. Rather, it ‘gives each State leeway in choosing the alcohol-related public health and safety measures that its citizens find desirable.’ Put simply, there is no single ‘one size fits all’ three-tier system that a state must either adhere to or abandon entirely.’

“This ruling should encourage state alcohol regulators and attorneys general to respectively enforce and defend legitimate state alcohol laws that advance public health and safety or other legitimate grounds.  It is also another rejection of repeatedly failed and vexatious alcohol shipping litigation that wastes precious public resources.”

Celebrate 20 Years of ABL on July 10-11 in New Orleans

Bethesda, MD – Registration is open for the ABL Annual Meeting to be held July 10-11, 2022 at the Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The meeting will mark ABL’s 20th anniversary, having united independent on- and off-premise beverage licensees since 2002. The ABL Annual Meeting returns after a two-year pandemic-driven hiatus and is at once a sign of the resilience of the hospitality industry and a reminder of the work that needs to be done to bring many in the industry back to a position where they can serve their customers and communities.

The meeting features a range of speakers and opportunities for attendees to network with their fellow retailers and others in the beverage alcohol industry. The meeting program examines key issues facing independent beverage retailers including short-term and long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the retail alcohol market; competition issues within the alcohol industry; legal, regulatory, and legislative developments in Congress and the states; and a host of other important topics that are shaping the beverage alcohol marketplace.

2022 ABL Annual Meeting sessions and speakers include:

 

• COVID-19’s Impact on the Alcohol Industry – Danny Brager, Owner, Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting; Dale Stratton, Owner, Five Points Consulting LLC

 

• On-Premise Focus: Competing with Taprooms – Chris Black, Cofounder, Falling Rock Tap House

 

• Direct-To-Consumer Case Study: Michigan – Spencer Nevins, President, Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association

 

• Covering the Industry: Latest Trends in Beverage Alcohol Business – Harry Schuhmacher, Publisher & Owner, Beer Business Daily; Sarah Barrett, Executive Editor, Wine & Spirits Daily

 

• Impaired Driving Policy – What’s Driving the Discussion? –T. Griffin, Principal, Griffin Strategies, LLC

 

• Federal Alcohol Regulatory Update – David Wulf, Deputy Administrator, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

 

• The Liquor Law Enforcement Landscape – Carrie Christofes, Executive Director, National Liquor Law Enforcement Association

 

The ABL Annual Meeting will also feature networking and social events from sponsors including the American Distilled Spirits Alliance, Anheuser-Busch, iControl, Molson Coors Beverage Company and Sazerac Co.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues at the Opening Night Reception on Sunday, July 10 while also enjoying a wide range of industry products from the following supporters: Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Campari Group, Diageo, Dripping Springs Distilling, E&J Gallo Winery, Edrington, Heaven Hill Brands, Infinium Spirits, Mast-Jagermeister US, LALO, Luxco, Pernod Ricard USA, Proximo, Ranch Rider Spirits Co., Remy Cointreau, Samson & Surrey, Serralles USA, Stoli, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and William Grant & Sons.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Please contact Susan Duffy at 301-956-3657 for more information.

Registration is open and is $299 per person.  Click to REGISTER for the ABL Annual Meeting.  Make sure to BOOK YOUR ROOM at the Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue to receive the ABL Annual Meeting rate of $169/night++.

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American Beverage Licensees is the preeminent national trade association for beverage alcohol retailers.  Direct retail beverage alcohol sales in the United States generate more than 2.03 million well-paying jobs.  ABL’s thousands of on-premise and off-premise licensee members are independent and often family-owned establishments.  The beverage retailing industry pays over $27.9 billion in federal taxes and $20.0 billion in state and local taxes.  To learn more about ABL, visit www.ablusa.org.