Stateways

T his is the thirteenth consecutive year that StateWays has approached leading officials among the control states and asked them to address the key issues and developments that have affected their operations over the past year. And one overriding theme is clear from all these well-thought-out commentaries: the control states continue to move forward successfully on a variety of fronts. Interestingly, while the specter of privatization dominated last year's accounts, that fear seems to have dissipated somewhat this year, although a few executives still referred to the issue. Perhaps the aggressive talk among some politicians has abated, with more scrutiny being paid to the possible ramifications of privatization. Based on these reports, sales revenues among the control states have almost universally increased, and a wide range of responsibility initiatives continue to progress, from new efforts to combat college binge drinking to alco- hol compliance training programs to help personnel identify false IDs. The officials also touch on a variety of modernization initiatives, including the upgrading of POS and security systems, redesigning and enhancing the look of stores, improving warehouse efficiencies, updating online ordering systems for licensees and developing new technologies for increasing compliance with agency regulations. There has also been a recognition of the ongoing efforts to improve retail merchandising programs across various platforms. These state snapshots also note important personnel changes within the agencies, as well as highlight pertinent legislative changes affecting the working of the agencies. We'd like to once again thank the control state commissioners, chairpersons, administrators and other officials who took time out from their busy schedules to provide this information for us…and you. H. Mac Gipson Administrator Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ALABAMA from the sale of alcohol. Last fiscal year the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board distributed more than $200 million to state and local governments after paying its own expenses and, so far this year, we are enjoying a sales increase of 6 percent. We have been able to control operating costs to the point that net operating revenues exceeded prior years. The State of Alabama and its beautiful Gulf Coast is back, and better than ever! After devastat- ing tornados, hurricanes and the largest marine oil spill in history, revenues are up; especially those This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Alabama ABC Board. To commemorate this special 10 occasion, William Thigpen, Assistant Administrator, Randall Smith, Product General Manager, Nick Ketter, Product Management Director, and I took a trip to the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky to select a 75th anniversary bourbon. Fourteen barrels were tast- ed with eight being selected; three barrels of Buffalo Trace, three barrels of Eagle Rare and two barrels of Blanton. These bourbons were bottled in commemora- tive bottles highlighting our diamond jubilee. The Alabama ABC Board has recently been involved in two trade shows and a third one has been planned for Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at the Marriott Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa in Birmingham. These trade shows have been hosted by the Distillers League of Alabama and provides a unique platform for brokers and representatives from the alcohol industry to showcase their products and innovations. Many industry represen- tatives use this opportunity to promote new merchandise. Tastings are allowed as long as they are within the regula- tory guidelines. Representatives from the ABC Board Responsible Vendor Program were also on hand to help answer questions and give advice about selling responsi- bly. Just in time for the holidays and for the first time in StateWays s www.stateways.com s September/October 2012

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• From the Editor
• Dateline
• Control States Executive Forum
• Computer/POS
• American Whiskey
• Prosecco
• Products & Packaging
• Ad Index