DISCUS State Government Relations Vice Presidents Jay Hibbard, Dale Szyndrowski and Adam Smith are joined by Crady deGolian, Director of Government Affairs at Beam Suntory, and Matt Dogali, President of the American Distilled Spirits Association, to discuss the early returns from the state and local legislative sessions for 2020 and forecast the spirits industry’s biggest challenges as we play out the rest of the year.
Rob Maron, DISCUS Vice President of International Trade, CJ Hélie, Executive Vice President, Spirits Canada, and Alfonso Mojica Navarro, Director General, CÁMARA NACIONAL DE LA INDUSTRIA TEQUILERA will discuss North American distilled spirits trade issues, assess the impact of retaliatory tariffs, and present opportunities for growth resulting from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and other trade agreements.
Join us for a discussion over lunch about how a global alcohol company works to improve lives in their local community. Learn how Brown-Forman works with Volunteers of America (VOA) to bring a solution-based approach to address alcohol and drug addiction in Kentucky and neighboring states. Jennifer Hancock, president and CEO, VOA; Robert Stivers, Senate President, State of Kentucky; and Taylor Amerman, Global Alcohol Responsibility Manager at Brown-Forman, will join the panel moderated by Dr.Ben Nordstrom, Executive Director, Responsibility.org.
Tuesday February 18, 2020 12:30pm - 1:45pm EST
TBA
DISCUS Chief Economist David Ozgo will provide an overview of the economic trends in the distilled spirits industry. This presentation will examine spirits category trends and forecast what we can anticipate in 2020 and beyond.
Obtaining permits, formulas and COLA approvals can be a confusing exercise. Experts from the TTB and our industry will walk through a spirits producer’s various touchpoints with the agency from start to finish, provide expert tips on navigating the process, and answer attendee questions.
The distilled spirits industry is dedicated to implementing and supporting robust responsible consumption programs all over the world. This panel looks at examples of successful efforts to reduce underage drinking and impaired driving that are being executed by spirits producers of all sizes—and how others can implement these proven campaigns. Alejandro Manuel Flores, Legal and Public Affairs Director, Caribbean and Central America, Pernod Ricard; Patrick Flook, Sustainability and Responsibility Manager, Caribbean and Central America, Diageo; and Dana Huber, Vice President, Distribution and Public Relations, Huber’s Orchard Winery and Vineyard, and the Starlight Distillery are featured on this panel.
Hear from four women who have been significant in shaping growth and development in the spirits industry: Diageo North America President, DeirdreMahlan; CEO and co-founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, Fawn Weaver; Woodford Reserve Assistant Master Distiller, Elizabeth McCall; and Catoctin Creek Co-Founder and Chief Distiller, Becky Harris come together to share their unique perspective as leading female voices from across the different aspects of the industry.
The off-premise environment is critical to building iconic spirits brands. As retail trends evolve, representatives from several notable retailers will discuss what lies ahead in 2020 and beyond.
Emerging trends are threatening to disrupt the marketplace. IWSR, the global benchmark for beverage and alcohol data and intelligence, will examine the shifting marketplace as recreational marijuana continues to emerge, beverage alcohol consumption patterns shift and new products such as hard seltzers affect wider category dynamics.
Wednesday February 19, 2020 10:00am - 10:45am EST
TBA
Kentucky recently passed legislation that improves the state’s policy on ignition interlocks and advances the responsibility agenda. This panel recounts how successful partnerships between lawmakers, social responsibility organizations and spirits associations from the state and national levels were key in achieving this important goal. Kentucky State Senator Whitney Westerfield (R-Hopkinsville), a representative from the Kentucky Distillers' Association and Jason Siwula, Acting Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Transportation will join the panel moderated by Responsibility.org.
Wednesday February 19, 2020 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
TBA
Maker’s Mark cofounders Bill and Margie Samuels reinvented family whisky and helped revolutionize the industry. Maker’s Mark is an iconic American creation – from the dipped red wax seal (which Margie originally hand dipped in her kitchen using a fryer to melt the wax) to the wheated flavor profile that Bill perfected. “Don’t screw up the whisky” were the words of advice Bill Sr. shared with Bill Samuels, Jr. when he took the reins of the family business in 1975. Bill Samuels, Jr., Chairman Emeritus, Maker's Mark Distillery, will share insights on his decades of experience growing his family-founded business into a global whisky brand.
Wednesday February 19, 2020 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
TBA
A huge consumer demographic is entering a peak purchasing stage. This session will examine how to best provide these consumers what they want, how they want.
Wednesday February 19, 2020 1:15pm - 2:15pm EST
TBA
Virginia has made great strides in serving the commonwealth's spirits consumers by focusing on partnerships between the state, local guild and national organizations. DISCUS Vice President of State Government Relations David Wojnar moderates a panel including Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Authority Board Chair Jeff Painter, Catoctin Creek Co-Founder and General Manager Scott Harris, VDA President and CEO of Virginia Distilling Gareth Moore, and DISCUS Director of Government Relations Madeline Spjut to examine lessons learned and the tactics that could work to improve other markets.
Wednesday February 19, 2020 1:15pm - 2:15pm EST
TBA
David Gooder was Brown-Forman/Jack Daniel's first Chief Trademark Counsel, a position he held for 22 years. As such, he was the guardian of the Jack Daniel's trademarks. His work across many borders, languages, and cultures produced valuable learnings and honed trademark enforcement strategies and tactics. Join David as he takes us through his ten most important pieces of advice brand owners should consider when faced with a trademark enforcement challenge, regardless of which side of the dispute the brand finds itself.
David was recently appointed Commissioner for Trademarks at the US Patent & Trademark Office. As of March 2, he will serve as the primary PTO official for domestic and international trademarks. He will also be responsible for all aspects of the PTO’s trademarks organization.
Dave Karraker, veteran spirits industry communicator and President of Raptor Communications leads a discussion on strategies to create buzz for your brand via media and digital channels with Deputy Assistant to the President and White House Chief Digital Officer Ory Rinat, Beekeeper Group Founder Shana Glickfield and Mather Group Founder Josh Greene. Learn how to build brand awareness through SEO optimization, targeted marketing campaigns and audience engagement.
Wednesday February 19, 2020 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
TBA
Several high-profile spirits company acquisitions have happened over the last few years. Constellation's Senior Vice President of Corporate Development Garth Haynkinson; Rabbit Hole Distillery Founder Kaveh Zamanian; and Credit Suisse Analyst Kaumil Gagrawal discuss experiences from both sides of the acquisition process and explore how to build a company that is seen as a prime asset target.
Wednesday February 19, 2020 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
TBA
