WSWA 67th Annual Convention & Exposition Gathers Top Professionals in the Wine and Spirits Industry

WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominent leaders from the wine and spirits industry will come together in Las Vegas at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 67th Annual Convention & Exposition to build business alliances, foster new partnerships and reconnect with industry colleagues. The event will take place at Caesars Palace April 5-8, 2010, and is expected to attract close to 2,000 attendees.

This year, WSWA will introduce enhanced educational programming, increased opportunities for supplier participation and new wine and spirits tasting and mixology competitions. Top executives and board members from WSWA and leading wine and spirits suppliers will be in attendance, creating an array of networking opportunities. Sarah Palin, 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential Nominee and former Governor of Alaska (2006-2009), is the convention's opening keynote speaker. Author and social media guru Erik Qualman will speak on how social media affects economic trends in business. The event also features Constellation Brands President & CEO Robert Sands as the keynote supplier speaker.

"We are very excited about the improved programming and events at this year's convention," WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf said. "This is the perfect time to bring together our industry peers to discuss economic and social trends and how they affect our industry."

Other highlights of the event include: the Sidney Frank Award presentation, the Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition and the Mixology Competition. The Sidney Frank Award will be presented by WSWA to Jim Bareuther of Brown-Forman for his leadership within the wine and spirits industry and his unwavering commitment to philanthropic causes large and small. The ceremony will take place during the opening General Session Tuesday, April 6. A $10,000 contribution will be made in Bareuther's name to "Share Our Strength," an organization dedicated to the elimination of childhood hunger.

The Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition will run 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. April 6 and will feature a blind tasting of over 150 products judged by acclaimed sommeliers and spirits professionals. The Mixology Competition will take place Wednesday, April 7, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and will serve as an opportunity for exhibiting spirits companies to submit new cocktail creations to be judged by a panel of mixologists from restaurants and bars around the country. This competition will be hosted and emceed by author and legendary mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim.

In addition, the Taste of the Industry reception will feature the winning cocktails and spirits from both competitions as well as new products from exhibitors. Also taking place on April 7 is the Impact Hot Brand Awards, an awards ceremony hosted by M. Shanken Communications, the leading publishing and research firm of the beverage industry. This year, 62 spirits and wine labels earned a spot on the illustrious "Hot Brands" list, with a total of 20 winners to be announced.

WSWA's Annual Convention & Exposition is open to all WSWA member wholesalers and associate members as well as employees of any supplier company, whether alcohol beverage related or otherwise and includes brokers, vintners, distillers, importers and all other services and product related firms. For more information about the WSWA Annual Convention & Exposition, visit www.wswa2010.org.

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is the national trade organization representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry. It is dedicated to advancing the interests and independence of wholesale distributors and/or brokers of wine and/or spirits.

SOURCE Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America