WSWA 70th Annual Convention & Exposition To Be Held In Orlando April 28-30, 2013

Toasting the Top Trends...And Gathering the Best of the Wine and Spirits Industry

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 2,000 alcohol beverage wholesalers, suppliers, mixologists and service providers are expected to attend the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) 70th Annual Convention & Exposition April 28-30.

The industry's leading event will be held at Grande Lakes Orlando, a joint JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton property.

"The WSWA 70^th Annual Convention & Exposition is the place where established brands, new or expanded product lines or start-ups come to solidify existing distribution or seek entry into the U.S. marketplace.  It is also a prime opportunity for industry members to build relationships, identify trends and gain skills to take their business or product line to the next level," WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf said.

"For members of the media, the event offers a unique insider's look at industry trends and new and rising brands, and the opportunity to connect with key players in the industry," he added.

Highlights at this year's convention include product and supplier showcases in two exhibit halls and sold out traditional and lower level hospitality suites representing over 150 top brands, as well as a multitude of innovative products.

The event also includes live tastings and competitions that will feature quality wine, spirits and malt beverages, as well as original cocktail recipes created by top mixologists. Sponsored by The Tasting Panel magazine and led by Tony Abou-Ganim, the Modern Mixologist, these competitions will include:

• The Wine & Spirits Tasting Competitions, April 28;
• Hoptails Mixology Competition, April 28;
• Call For Cocktails: Mixology Competition, April 29; and
• Wholesaler Iron Mixologist Competition, April 29.

Acclaimed mixologists, journalists and industry executives from around the nation will judge the tastings and competitions.

The WSWA 70^th Annual Convention & Exposition also includes the Opening Night Reception, the popular "Taste of the Industry" event, and a late night party celebrating WSWA, sponsored by XB, USA, a new bottled cocktail.

This year's convention also boasts an impressive lineup of renowned speakers and educational sessions. 

General session headliners include NFL Hall of Famer, actor and businessman Terry Bradshaw and real estate mogul, businesswoman and television personality Barbara Corcoran. A general technology session on enterprise resource planning (ERP) will be moderated by Jonathan Gross, director and legal counsel of Pemeco, a boutique ERP consulting firm, who will lead a panel discussion with representatives from top industry providers Oracle, SAP and Infor.

Also on the schedule is the U.S. Beverage Alcohol Forum (USBAF) presented in partnership with the U.S. Drinks Conference. These sessions include can't-miss educational programs for wholesalers, suppliers and retailers.

Live updates of convention events will be available on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the WSWA Convention website www.wswaconvention.org. WSWA-Convention TV will post regular updates to bring viewers convention news, as well as interviews with exhibitors, suite holders and competition winners.

For a complete schedule of events and additional information, please visit www.wswaconvention.org.

WSWA is a national trade association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry. With more than 350 member companies across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, WSWA is the voice for wholesalers in Congress, the administration, the courts, with the news media and in communities across America. Additional information is available at www.wswa.org.

SOURCE Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America