WSWA Opens Registration for Access LIVE 2026 in Las Vegas

The wine and spirits industry's premier event will move "Beyond the Glass" at the February 2-5 event, offering new dynamic programming that tackles the industry's most pressing challenges and provides attendees with actionable takeaways.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is now open for Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA)'s Access LIVE 2026. WSWA's Access LIVE is the beverage alcohol industry's leading event, bringing together wholesalers, suppliers, on- and off-premise retailers, service providers, importers and exporters all under one roof. This can't-miss event will be held February 2-5, 2026, at the Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.

Register before October 11, 2025, to receive early-bird registration rates.
To register, visit accesslive.wswa.org.

At the show, returning to the vibrant Las Vegas strip, attendees can expect two and a half days of unrivaled relationship building, dealmaking, interactive experiences, content-producing opportunities and hot topic panel discussions tackling the industry's most pressing challenges.

Access LIVE 2026's theme, "Beyond the Glass," expands on the universal symbol of the glass, an icon forever linked to our industry. Just as every glass has its own shape, size, and purpose, so too do our attendees, bringing unique perspectives, goals, and challenges to the week. Each sees the industry through their own lens — their own glass. This year, we're inviting attendees to go beyond, to move past surface-level conversations, dig deeper into the issues that matter, and work together toward bold, actionable solutions that will shape the future of our industry. Programming will not only acknowledge headwinds but also explore the "how," providing clarity, inspiration, and practical takeaways that move the industry forward.

To learn more about Access LIVE 2026's theme Beyond the Glass visit accesslive.wswa.org.

New this year, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits has opened their second annual WineForward Symposium to all attendees. Attendees can now study the current wine marketplace with data-driven insights, expand their understanding of how evolving demographic and consumer preferences are reshaping business tactics in the on- and off-premise, and explore new avenues of distribution while the collective intelligence of the industry's top minds innovate marketing strategies and outreach. Throughout the afternoon, industry professionals will be speaking on panels, sharing their expertise and experiences to further enrich the learning experience. The final program should be confirmed by early December.

Also returning is Access LIVE's elevated Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition — in partnership with The Tasting Alliance, the largest and most prestigious awards company in the world — which will be taking place in the days leading up to the show's official start. Competing brands can enter to earn bragging rights throughout their entire Access LIVE journey with the Best in Show Tasting for all attendees taking place live on the show floor in HQ Connect. After the competition, Tasting Alliance will select up to 10 of the winners to advance to the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Access HQ, Access LIVE's exhibit hall experience, will feature over 300 exhibit booths and more than 75 Main Street suites — all on the same floor of the convention center complex, minimizing walk times between the hall floor and Main Street Suites to less than five minutes, meaning attendees can fit in more exploration, networking and dealmaking. The exhibit hall will also feature the LIVE Stage, where TED-style sessions will take place, and The Hub, including the Content Lab featuring free videos produced by Pour Agency, a returning fan favorite.

Back by popular demand, Wholesaler Power Hours will return to the LIVE Stage, featuring leaders from the industry's distribution tier who will discuss and debate the best course for success in today's challenging U.S. marketplace.

WSWA's highly anticipated Brand Battle will return in 2026 to the Access LIVE Main stage. Brand Battle is WSWA's version of Shark Tank, where brand representatives pitch to a panel of industry experts. Past Brand Battle winners include Gray Whale Gin (2019), Campesino Rum (2022), Sunshine Punch (2023), Quintaliza Tequila (2024), and Amante 1530 (2025). WSWA's Brand Battle served as a springboard for these brands, exposing them to immediate distribution deals, positive media buzz and other brand-development opportunities.

To learn more about Brand Battle and to apply for the competition, visit
accesslive.wswa.org/brand-battle.

The Main Stage will also feature keynote speakers, general sessions and award ceremonies. General Sessions will showcase remarks from industry members, brand owners and celebrities, plus a welcome address from WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton and an address from President of Eder Bros. and WSWA Chairman Cutter Smith.

SipSource's highly anticipated comprehensive State of the Industry report will return to the Main Stage, providing attendees with the latest data, trends and a forward-looking analysis. This insightful presentation will equip industry professionals with essential information to navigate the evolving market landscape. SipSource will also feature an interactive data center in Access HQ, offering a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with product managers, users and analysts – providing attendees thousands of dollars' worth of industry data reports for free.

To learn about sponsorship opportunities or to submit an award or speaker nomination, visit accesslive.wswa.org.

Learn more about Access LIVE at accesslive.wswa.org or contact the Access LIVE hotline at 202-371-5682.

About WSWA's Access LIVE
WSWA's Access LIVE is the largest U.S. event uniting all tiers of the beverage alcohol industry. Featuring buy-sell engagements, high-level information panels, wine and spirits competition and C-suite-level networking, this event has been a premier destination for beverage alcohol wholesalers, suppliers and now retailers since its inception in 1943. To learn more, please visit accesslive.wswa.org or connect with us across our social platforms on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube or follow us at #AccessLIVE26.

MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Bilello
Executive Vice President, Strategic Communications & Marketing
[email protected] | (202) 716-4805

SOURCE Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America