2022 Winter State Policy Conference

2022 Winter State Policy Conference

2022 Winter State Policy Conference

WSWA’s Winter State Policy Conference Returns December 7-9 at The W Scottsdale.

Join us for this can’t miss event as our industry’s premier thought leaders gather to discuss the political, legislative, and legal issues facing America’s family-owned wholesalers.

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W Hotel Scottsdale
Register
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WSPC Scottsdale

Who should attend? WSWA wholesaler members, state association leadership, government affairs consultants, and regulatory staff are encouraged to attend.  

Attendees
Member Registration Rate: $625
Spouse Registration Rate: $350
*Should you experience technical difficulties, please contact Sasha Somuah via email at sasha.somuah@wswa.org

Agenda

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Golf Outing

Grayhawk
Not Included in Registration Fee

Opening Reception

Sunset Lawn, W Hotel

Registration

Sunset Lawn, W Hotel

Dinner

Valley Ho Rooftop (6850 E Main St)

After Dinner Meet Up

Join your colleagues at The Beverly On Main for a nightcap and great conversation to close out the day. This sophisticated craft cocktail lounge is only two blocks from Valley Ho and boasts delicious drinks and a lively late-night atmosphere.

The Beverly On Main, 7018 E Main St.
Not Included in Registration Fee
Thursday, December 8, 2022

Breakfast

Great Room 1

Introductions and Welcome by Francis Creighton, WSWA President & CEO

Great Room 1

Interstate DTC Shipping: Strategies of Success

After WSWA previews the national DTC landscape and impactful new advocacy resources, hear from your contemporaries from 2022 DTC battle ground states about what worked and what did not work as they strategized, built coalitions, and initiated Project 21 campaigns to hold off spirits DTC. Continue the conversation with your peers to discuss strategies for enacting important enforcement measures during the DTC open forum segment.

Great Room 1

Break

Three-Tier Encroachment Issues

WSWA will briefly review legislation that encroached on the three-tier system in 2022 including on-site sales, self-distribution, and satellite location legislation. An open forum discussion will follow, focusing on what three-tier encroachment may come in 2023 and successful strategies that can be taken when bills are introduced.

Great Room 1

Working Lunch with Guest Speaker, DISCUS

Great Room 1

Break

RTDs

WSWA will review the current RTD landscape, DISCUS' target states and priorities for the upcoming legislative session and delve into new guidelines from our legal team. The open forum segment will follow to discuss resource needs, successful and unsuccessful strategies, and expected 2023 legislation.

Great Room 1

Legal and Regulatory Update

WSWA’s Legal and Regulatory Team will walk through the latest on alcohol sector litigation and emerging issues. 

Great Room 1

Break

WSWA Advocacy Resources Management

Over the last year, WSWA’s Communications Team has worked hand-in-hand with the Advisory Council and State Affairs Team to develop resources, surveys, one pagers, playbooks, and social media toolkits that you and your teams can use on the ground to maximize advocacy efforts and amplify your voice. Learn more about WSWA’s new Digital Asset Management (DAM) software that organizes and puts these tools at your fingertips. Use a personalized AI functionality to easily search for assets, download customizable images and graphics, and get versions of your most used assets that can be printed professionally or at-home to meet the needs of your team.

Great Room 1

State Association Survey Data Recap & Open Forum

Get a first look at the WSWA State Association Survey data, see what other states are doing to find success, and develop fresh ideas for your state. The Open Forum is your chance to learn about and discuss emerging legislative issues from other state associations across the country and share trends seen in your state with WSWA and your peers. Enjoy an open forum setting to bring up any outstanding issues you would like to discuss with the group.

Great Room 1

Reception & Dinner

Cien Agaves Upstairs (7228 E 1st Ave)

After Dinner Meet Up

Join your colleagues at one of the newest editions to Scottsdale’s nightlife scene for a chance to catch up at the end of the evening. Barstool Scottsdale is a quick five-minute walk from the W Hotel, and is ideal for laid back drinks and satisfying any late-night french fry needs.

Barstool Scottsdale, 4321 North Scottsdale Road
Not Included in Registration Fee
Friday, December 9, 2022

Breakfast

Great Room 1

Diving into the Data

Join the WSWA’s EVP of Strategic Communications & Marketing Michael Bilello and Morning Consult’s Food & Beverage Analyst Emily Moquin as they dive into WSWA’s recent study measuring the perception of direct-to-consumer (DTC) spirits shipping among American mothers. Look beyond the data to hone key messaging that moves the needle with lawmakers and gain a better understanding of how adversaries may try to dismiss the findings in the next legislative session. This is your chance to ask your questions and build confidence to apply these findings during the upcoming legislative session.

Great Room 1

Communications Interactive Workshop

Join the WSWA Communications Team as we dive into the 2022 DTC Messaging Playbook and discuss how teams have been and will be putting this messaging to use. Come prepared to ask and answer questions about best practices, missed opportunities, additional data needs and more. The 2023 DTC Messaging Playbook will be updated to include discussion points from this workshop and that be published in January 2023, so your input is both important and appreciated.

Great Room 1

Closing & Grab and Go Lunch

Great Room 1
What's New This Year?

New! Reimagined Experience! Moving away from lecture hall style information sharing, new this year, WSPC is placing an emphasis on the value you bring to your industry peers! Take part in lively discussions throughout the week and learn from the successes and failures of your industry peers.

 

New! Strategic Planning. A renewed focus on strategic legislative planning that encourages dynamic discussion among participants and will directly impact the goals, resource development, and needs of our industry over the next year. This planning will better align efforts across the country to pinpoint the weaknesses of our opposition and focus energy on key battles in 2023.

 

New! On-the-spot Resource Development. Work with the WSWA State Affairs and Communications Teams over the course of the week to develop needed resources like leave-behinds, talking points and pre-drafted testimony on priority issues ready for use by the start of the new year!

 

New! Communications Workshop. This hands-on, interactive session relies on your experience and expertise to create realistic, simulated debate around key priority issues like DTC and three-tier encroachment that will be codified in future advocacy resources. This session is built to directly improve your ability to counter the opposition and bolster your team’s advocacy efforts on the ground.

 

New! Data Exploration. An exclusive opportunity for Communication Workshop attendees to explore new survey data in-depth to gain a better understanding of consumer concerns around direct-to-consumer shipping and how to better use these findings with your state’s elected officials, regulators, and media.

 

New! Emerging Issues Roundtable. This year WSPC sessions will close with a roundtable discussion on emerging issues focused on knowledge sharing, strategic planning, and real-time feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the golf outing included in my registration cost?

We hope that you would like to join your contemporaries for a fun afternoon golfing. However, the golf outing at Greyhawk Golf Club is not included in your WSPC registration fee. All costs will be paid by the player. A round ranges from $230 to $255.

What time should I arrive and depart?

We suggest you arrive at the W Scottsdale on December 7 mid-afternoon or mid-morning if you are interested in playing golf. We recommend you don't depart before the early afternoon on December 9 in order to attend the very informative and interactive Communications Workshop Friday morning.

What is the cancellation policy?

We understand that unforeseen circumstances may require a cancellation. We will issue a 100% refund, less a $50 processing fee, until October 11th. A 50% refund will be given for cancellations occurring between October 12th through November 11th. Any cancellations after November 11th will not receive a refund.

Meetings and Conventions Contacts
Kari Langerman
Vice President, Meetings and Events
202.243.7516
Lisa Koenig
Director, Meetings and Events
202.371.9786
Nicole Anderson
Manager, Sales and Business Development
202.243.7510