WSWA Returns With an Inaugural Retailer and Consumer Day

By Chilled Magazine

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s Annual Convention & Exposition returns this spring from March 31 to April 3 for the 76th year in a row.

 
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America logo on white
 

The Orlando, Florida convention brings together brands and distributors to showcase all the new, cool things happening in the beverage business this year. While you can expect to find the same great events like competitions and tastings that WSWA is known for, this year brings an exciting new day for the conference as they kick it off with the inaugural Retailer and Consumer Day.

Wine tasting glasses in a row

Wine Tasting

Photo Courtesy of WSWA

Retailer and Consumer Day will take place on Sunday, March 31 and features a whole new lineup of events you won’t want to miss. All of these sessions are open to registered convention attendees, but retailers and consumers who aren’t attending all four days of events can purchase a one-day ticket. We’re especially excited about this lineup because it’s full of educational sessions that cater to the consumer and spirits professional alike. Here is a preview of what you can expect from this inaugural day:

Christie Brinkley with Her Line of Bellissima Wine

Christie Brinkley with Her Line of Bellissima Wine

Photo Courtesy of WSWA

Master Mixology Class: Sponsored by Chilled Magazine, this exciting session will open with a TED-like talk on bartending trends and close with small group demonstrations divided by spirit type, including gin, vodka, bourbon and whiskey, and tequila. Both industry pros and consumers will benefit from the topics, which will cover the acid/base balance in cocktails, flavor combinations, and the importance of using the proper tools and glassware. A marketplace will give attendees a chance to purchase spirit-related items like books, bar tools and aprons.

Wine & Spirits Marketplace: This is a first chance to meet and greet some of this year’s registered exhibitors. Peruse this two and a half hour event to experience those who are showcasing their products, brands and services at WSWA.

Natalie Migliarini of Beautiful Booze

Natalie Migliarini of Beautiful Booze

Photo Courtesy of WSWA

Wine Seminar: Join WSWA member experts to hear the latest on wine trends. This seminar will open with a talk about what’s currently going on in the world of wine consumption, what’s being planted and how influencers are driving consumer behavior. Following the talk, a wine tasting will showcase both established brands and up-and-coming labels that may not yet be available on the market. Finally, attendees will get to learn about innovative wine packaging like pouches, cans and kegs and put their palate to the test with a blind tasting. Sponsored by The Somm Journal and featuring keynote speaker Bob Bath—the head beverage professor at Culinary Institute of America, Greystone and COPIA—this is a wine-lover’s event that’s not to be missed.

WSWA Supplier Leadership Series: This first session in the newly-developed WSWA Supplier Leadership Series is all about Distribution and Brand Building: How to Get to Market and Compete in Today’s Challenging Environment. In this educational session, a panel will discuss some of the most pressing distribution-related questions, including brand building, how to stand out in a sea of similar skus, alternative three-tier compliant rules to market, finding venture capital, and navigating compliance and state laws. These WSWA members and industry leaders will offer great insight on how educating yourself in these areas could dramatically impact how you do business.

If you’re attending WSWA or are interesting in checking out this amazing day of wine and spirits events, you can learn more at WSWAConvention.org.

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