StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/570883
[ PROFILE ] HEALTH AND SAFETY While much of the MLCC's recent success can be mea- sured in terms of growth and processes, these areas take a backseat to the agency's primary focus — enforcement and education. "We take our role as educators very seriously, and we work hard to connect with our community partners across the state to help them understand our processes," Deloney explains. Michigan has nearly 18,000 licensees, and the agency constantly reviews its connections with them. In addi- tion to facilitating regular meetings and communications with licensees, the MLCC also reaches out to partner agencies, including the Michigan State Police and vari- ous community groups. Meetings are held to update var- ious organizations on the goings-on within the agency, and also to offer resources and support. Deloney says that while it's important to let external groups know about current priorities and initiatives with the MLCC, those organizations also rely on the agency to provide information and education. "We need to share the information we obtain in the course of our research and enforcement activities," he explains. "Law enforcement agencies are one great ex- ample. It can be diffi cult for those groups to stay up to date on industry trends and new products on the market. It's our job to disseminate that information through the proper channels." In one recent instance, Deloney recalls how his staff shared information with the Michigan State Police about new product packaging that hadn't previously been used in the marketplace. Had the new packaging not been shared with the law enforcement offi cers, they may not have been able to identify the product when spotted in the fi eld. Additional educational outreach efforts facilitated by the MLCC include distributing public service announce- ments on responsible consumption and underage drink- ing. Agency representatives regularly meet with commu- nity groups and members of youth coalitions to discuss new initiatives, address concerns and answer questions. A recent grant awarded to the agency by the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) pro- vided the opportunity for the MLCC to create and dis- tribute compliance-focused print materials to all licens- ees. Extra outreach to licensees is generated around the holidays, when the agency offers a series of quick tips to help sellers and servers identify fake IDs, prevent over- serving and over-crowding, and adhere to the state's spe- cifi c hours of holiday beverage service. It's another improvement executed by Deloney, with an eye towards bettering Michigan's future. MELISSA NIKSIC is a freelance writer and marketing communications strategist from Chicago, IL. Her work has appeared in Chicago's Daily Herald newspaper, Time Out Chicago, Suburban Life newspapers, and various maga- zines. She is also the author of several children's books. Follow her @MelissaNiksic. We need to share the information we obtain in the course of our research and enforcement activities" — Andrew J. Deloney StateWays ■ www.stateways.com ■ September/October 2015 28