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
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33 StateWays Q www.stateways.com Q July/August 2014 At the Phillips Distilling lanai were, from left, Matt Cole, Great Lakes area manager; Kurt Jung- gren, brand director; and Jason Connelly, vice president of sales. Manning Imperial Brands' lanai were president and ceo Chester Brandes (left) and Timo Sutinen, vice president, marketing & business development. Hood River Distillers' president Ronald Dodge (right) is joined by daughter Korrie Dodge, share- holder, and Erik Svenson, vice president, sales. and back again. The key is to balance reasonable regulation with the consumer's freedom to purchase products. Still, it is important, they agreed, to have an interest in "making sure our products are used responsibly." Brown stated, "It is abundantly clear that beverage alcohol use has to be managed by society in an appropriate way, to maximize its benefi ts and minimize its negative consequences (ie, drunk driving)." The panelists all also agreed that the NABCA can play an expanded role internationally. Westcott said, "The NABCA brings credibility to the discussion." And Grant added, "It is well positioned to take on a critical role, with its understanding of public health goals as well as commercial goals." Seminar III followed lunch and the trade show, and covered "The Craft Craze," discussing the business environment surrounding the many new "craft" producers throughout the country (and the control states). How far should regulators go in providing special exemptions to these craft producers? And should local regulators help these small producers overcome the many hurdles facing them in the marketplace? The panelists tackled these and other questions. The moderator was Ronald Moats, commissioner of the West Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, and the panel was comprised of Patrick hand, owner, Discount Drinks, Etc.; Brian Pizzuti, vice president of Sales, National Wine and spirits of Michigan; and Chip Tate, president and head distiller, Balcones Distilling. The fi nal seminar was titled, "The Front Lines of Alcohol Control," moderated by H. Mac Gipson, administrator of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The discussion involved the various levels of enforcement brought to bear on trying to control the abuse and illegal use of beverage alcohol products. Is there legislation that can better help law enforcement do their jobs? And can society benefi t from using more of the expertise provided by these offi cials? Panelists included Thomas King, Chief of Police, State College Police Department; J. Thomas Manger, Chief of Police, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Police Department; and Justin Nordhorn, Chief, Washington State Liquor Control Board. As usual, the Conference was wrapped up in the evening, with the Annual Banquet. Next year's 78 th Annual NABCA Conference will take place May 18-21, 2015, in Phoenix, AZ. NABCA President Jim Sgueo welcomed attendees to the fi nal night's annual banquet.