Full Schedule

Bar Hours: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

WSWA members can stop by the Member Services Lounge for a quick break between meetings to engage with WSWA staff and learn more about association initiatives like the WSWA-PAC and SipSource, explore member benefits, or meet with a representative from Distribution Solutions.

The epicenter of Access LIVE! Formerly split across two exhibit halls, HQ brings all the action into one space—housing the highest concentration of exhibits in addition to The Hub, LIVE Stage, Innovation Pavilion, HQ Connect, and more.

Discover the approach and techniques successful beverage brands are using to set themselves apart in the market and boost digital brand awareness.

After the morning session, please join us for an interactive discussion about the organized retail theft. Our panelists will be in Access HQ to answer questions about their presentation and hear about your concerns and possible solutions to this growing problem.

Join Tony Abou-Ganim, co-founder of the TAG Global Spirits Awards as he takes us on an educational and entertaining look into appraising spirits. Whether you’re a buyer looking to better appreciate and understand a spirit’s complexity and nuances or a supplier wanting to present your spirits in the best possible way, this presentation is sure to shine a light on the art of tasting and evaluating spirits.

A one-stop-shop for brand innovation and development! Located in Access HQ, the Hub offers a variety of solutions for exhibiting brands looking to expand, experiment, and grow. Back by popular demand don’t miss your chance to secure a space in the Content Lab, Mixology Workshop, or at the Brand Building Bar!

Digital initiatives and eCommerce generate a treasure trove of information about your customers that can be leveraged to empower your sales initiatives. Mike will discuss how to create a unified view of your customers and then use that robust data to better serve them the right product, at the right time, for their target consumer – through both eCommerce and physical selling teams. Mike will also discuss how to build a more customer-first model that enables better service through flexible processes and enhanced technology solutions.

European Garnacha Grenache Aromas
Discover and learn about one of the most planted grapes in the world.

European Garnacha/Grenache Quality Wines Program is an exclusive and innovative partnership between the leading countries in wine production: Spain and France. Because of their excellent value, the new Garnacha Grenache wines are reaching, for the first time, major competitors in the wine market, joined under the umbrella of the European Union to make awareness about one of their treasures and most eco-friendly grape… Garnacha Grenache. During the conference experts from France and Spain, will educate guest about the origin, history, features, European quality schemes, the latest innovative techniques used in Garnacha Grenache growing and wine elaboration. During this seminar, attendees will have a unique opportunity to attend a Garnacha Grenache experience with an innovative "sense of smell" to learn about the most representative aromas of one of the most planted grapes in the world. Be sure to arrive early as the first 80 participants to visit the session will recieve a free wine aroma box gift!
Register Here: https://garnachagrenache.com/european-garnacha-grenache-at-wswa/

This session is about helping brands discover the magic of creating Instagrammable images and videos with classic and innovative mixology techniques. We will share our trade secrets on making super cool, scroll stopping cocktails. Attendees will learn how to mix cocktails with an extra flare as well as different methods to create more visually appealing cocktails.

Take a close look at how Congress inadvertently deregulated intoxicants made from hemp, what it means today, and the market landscape now and into the future. We will examine the 2018 Farm Bill and how it set conditions for today's intoxicants, market challenges, and where we go from here.

As an international grape grower and wine maker in many countries and in both hemispheres, Francois Lurton has a unique global understanding of global climate change and its effects on grape growing around the world. Being an organic grape grower/wine maker, he has developed unique solutions to overcome our ever-evolving challenges we are now facing with climate change. I believe it presents a great opportunity to have this discussion with the wholesalers of the US, who rely on grape growers and wine makers to navigate these challenges, in an effort to provide them a more in depth understanding of climate change, its effects on vineyards, and share our evolving solutions.

Join us at HQ Connect to taste and sample the Best of Show winners from the 2024 WSWA Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition brought to you by Tasting Panel Magazine!

Wine and spirits wholesalers have been around for 80+ years and many of the current companies are in their 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation of ownership. Join this session to hear stories from pioneering leaders who helped to create today's wine and spirits marketplace and lessons they've learned through the years.

Mixology Workshops are a hands-on cocktail development experience that focuses on the art of crafting unique and creative drinks. During this interactive session, participants will spend an hour with expert mixologists to explore the fundamental building blocks of cocktails and learn about the fascinating history of mixology, all with the aim of designing innovative creations that align with your brand. With a strong focus on social media, attendees will learn how to create visually stunning cocktails that are sure to make a splash online, at home and at the bar.

Join Bill Rancic, expert brand builder, successful entrepreneur and restaurant group proprietor to explore how to build a winning brand for on-premise success. This session will focus on the core tenants of brand building as well as a unique perspective on what restaurants are looking for when engaging wine and spirits brands as well as other service providers and partners. Hear what is takes to focus your sales force to engage restaurants and bars, get into cocktail and wine programs. WHY: The on-premise is an important part of the wine and spirits marketplace and will be critical for industry success in 2024 and beyond. According to SipSource, U. S. bars and restaurants remain an important component of the hospitality marketplace and often are the best proving ground for wine and spirits. From celebrity occasions to product exploration, consumer’s connect with brands on-premise.

Take a break from the tasting on the show floor to connect with other attendees and satisfy your sweet tooth in this break sponsored by Dimensional Insight! We will have a (literal) candy bar set up with all different kinds of goodies. Plus, see if you can nab the strolling napkin artist to get a drawing you can take home with you!

WSWA’s Brand Battle is the only event of its kind where craft, start-up, and small production brands have the opportunity to get in front of distributors from across the country to show off their product and receive constructive feedback and influential exposure. The 2024 Battle will hold 8 Shark Tank like virtual category competitions through the month of January with the winners of each competing live on-stage to crown the 2024 Brand Battle Champion!

Access LIVE’s signature grand tasting reception! Join all three-tiers of the industry for a fun-filled evening of sampling new products available to the market and connecting with all 8 Brand Battle Contenders, including the 2024 Champion! All exhibitors are welcome to pour. Contact Molly Fontaine (molly.fontaine@wswa.org).