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RNC and DNC Spokesmen to Provide Political Update at ABL Annual Conference

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DNC’s Mo Elleithee, RNC’s Sean Spicer to Discuss Political Affairs and 2016 Elections

Bethesda, MD – April 16, 2015 – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) is excited to announce that Mo Elleithee, Communications Director for the DNC, and Sean Spicer, Chief Strategist & Communications Director for the RNC, will address the ABL Annual Conference on June 8 as keynote speakers.

ABL Conference attendees will have front-row seats to an insightful conversation with the chief spokesmen for Democrats and Republicans. With growing buzz about the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and dozens of pivotal races on tap in the House and Senate, Mo Elleithee and Sean Spicer will share their perspectives and viewpoints on the current and future state of political affairs in Washington and across the country. The discussion will include insights on how the major political issues of the day are shaping the 2016 Election and what it could mean for the White House and Congress.

“As ABL members head to our nation’s capital this June, we’re thrilled that Mr. Elleithee and Mr. Spicer will share some insights into the national political scene and what to expect in 2016,” said John Bodnovich, Executive Director of ABL. “Mr. Spicer and Mr. Elleithee have political experience and expertise at the highest levels, and will engage attendees in a thoughtful discussion about the future of politics in Washington.”

For more information, visit ABL’s conference website or click here to register.

Spicer-Headshot_webMr. Sean M. Spicer, Chief Strategist & Communications Director for the RNC
Sean M. Spicer has served as RNC Communications Director since 2011, and in February of 2015 added the duties of Chief Strategist. In his additional role, he leads the negotiations and implementation of the new presidential primary debate structure. He coordinates with broadcast networks and conservative media partners and serves as a liaison to the Republican candidates and their campaigns. In addition, he works with the Counsel’s Office and the Chief of Staff on assisting state parties with delegate selection and planning for state conventions, primaries and caucuses. He also serves as a liaison to the Republican National Convention staff on messaging opportunities and media strategy.

Mo's-headshot_webMr. Mo Elleithee, Communications Director of the DNC
A 17-year veteran of Democratic politics, Mo Elleithee was named Communications Director of the DNC in August, 2013. Throughout his career, he’s worked on four different presidential campaigns, including as senior spokesman and traveling press secretary for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 bid; in senior communications roles for candidates across the country including Tim Kaine (VA), Mark Warner (VA), and Tom Udall (NM); and has advised various Democratic party committees including the DSCC, DCCC and the Democratic Party of Virginia. For the past four years, he’s been on the faculty of the Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy teaching a class in campaign management and strategy. He is a founding partner (and on leave of absence) from two of Washington’s top political consulting firms — Hilltop Public Solutions and Three Point Media.

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ABL to Honor DISCUS President & CEO Dr. Peter Cressy with 2015 Top Shelf Award

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Award will be presented at the 13th Annual ABL Conference in Washington, D.C.

April 9, 2015 – Bethesda, MD – American Beverage Licensees (ABL) is proud to announce that Dr. Peter Cressy, President & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), is the 2015 ABL Top Shelf Award honoree and will be recognized at the 13th Annual ABL Conference on June 8, 2015.

DISCUS President & CEO
Dr. Peter Cressy

The ABL Top Shelf Award, the highest honor presented by America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers, recognizes those who have demonstrated professional excellence in the beverage alcohol industry and have had a positive influence in their communities.

During his nearly 16-year tenure at the helm of DISCUS, the national trade association representing the leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits in the United States, Dr. Cressy has worked relentlessly to engage liquor industry partners to promote the responsible use of distilled spirits products, oppose efforts to harm the hospitality industry and foster a renewed passion for America’s cocktail culture.

“Peter’s accomplishments on behalf of his members and our industry have been vast and transformational,” said John Bodnovich, ABL’s Executive Director. “More importantly, his tireless commitment to the distilled spirits industry has invigorated our country’s unique and vibrant beverage alcohol marketplace.”

The DISCUS team under Dr. Cressy’s leadership at DISCUS has helped the spirits industry increase its market share 25 percent; defeat more than 350 state and local tax bills; enhance its tough advertising guidelines while simultaneously growing the scope of industry advertising platforms; fought for fair trade agreements in the global marketplace; and emphasized science and evidence-based methods for developing policies to address the misuse and abuse of beverage alcohol.

Dr. Cressy was also instrumental in the historical undertaking of reconstructing George Washington’s Distillery at Historic Mount Vernon. The annual industry Spirit of Mount Vernon gala has raised nearly $3.5 million to advance the educational mission of Mount Vernon.

A retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, Dr. Cressy came to DISCUS in 1999 after serving as Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He will be honored at the ABL Top Shelf Award Banquet at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., on June 8. If you are interested in celebrating Dr. Cressy’s achievements, please visit www.ablusa.org/abl-events/2015ABL.

A .pdf of this press release can be found here.