Brand Battle is our highly successful, live brand competition – WSWA’s version of Shark Tank. Selected brand contestants pitch our panel of industry experts and influencers — and receive valuable feedback — live on our competition stage. Past Brand Battle winners include Gray Whale Gin, Bedlam Vodka, and most recently, Boukman Rhum and Seaside Grown.

Brand Battle traditionally occurs during the annual WSWA Convention & Exposition, but this year, due to the pandemic, we are mixing things up! WSWA developed the Brand Battle Tournament, which will feature weekly competitions during the summer on “Tournament Tuesdays” – leading to the Brand Battle Championship in the fall. Specific competitions, dates and times are as follows:

Because we all need a new, vibrant and exciting 2021! Each “Tournament Tuesday” will feature a product category-specific brand battle. The winners from each battle will compete in the fall Brand Battle Championship. This high-stakes, thrilling virtual competition will give suppliers, wholesalers, judges and attendees unique opportunities to learn alongside new and emerging, craft, startup and small production brands who are the stars of the event. Do you have a great brand with a compelling story and a strong business and marketing plan? ENTER NOW

• Have a new and emerging, craft, start-up or small-production brand? ENTER HERE
• Would you like to be a wholesaler judge? ENTER HERE
• Interested in sponsoring? READ MORE

Check out our best practices for Brand Battle Tournament entry videos HERE. You can also view a selection of past Brand Battle entry videos HERE.

Entry fees, per category entered, are $500 for Associate Members; $650 for Non-Members.

Please use our electronic entry forms available HERE. If you are having any issues or would like help completing your form, please contact Kristi Hepner at Kristi@wswa.org.

The WSWA Brand Battle Tournament will have a panel of judges from a wide variety of wholesalers of varying sizes across the country. Want to be a judge? VOLUNTEER HERE

We are looking forward to an in-person, 2022 WSWA Convention & Exposition at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV - April 11-14, 2022. Stay tuned for more information!

Yes! The 2022 WSWA Convention & Exposition will feature an in-person Brand Battle competition. Stay tuned for more information.

We ask that each category contender be able to supply 6-7 bottles of their product to sample, depending on the number of judges in their category. More details regarding product shipping will be coming soon.

The eight (8) category winners and the one (1) overall 2021 Brand Battle Champion will be determined by our panel of wholesaler judges. We will be communicating with each medal winner to deliver all awards and certifications.

Yes! Each category winner will receive an electronic/digital medal along with the following: 

• All applicants will receive a profile in the Tournament directory, whether or not selected as a contender. 

Each Category Winner receives: 

• Complimentary 2022 WSWA Convention Taste of the Industry Table ($650 value).
• $500 discount off a 2022 WSWA Convention Exhibit Booth with priority placement opportunity.
• Interviews with select media & podcasts.
• Category Winner digital award file for use by brand in their marketing.
• Promotion on WSWA website, in eblasts, & on social media.
• Automatically entered into the Brand Battle Championship.

Brand Battle Champion receives:

• All the same awards as the category winner, PLUS the addition of one (1) complimentary 10’ x 10’ Exhibit Booth at the 2022 WSWA Convention & Exposition ($3200 value) in lieu of a $500 discount.
• Brand Battle Champion Award, mailed to winner.
• Brand Battle Champion digital award file for use by brand in marketing.
• $1000 cash award.
• Additional exposure to industry experts!

Yes! Please access our Hall of Fame of past Brand Battle contestants and winners HERE.

Entries for the following categories must be received by April 30, 2021.

• Vodka/Gin
• Tequila / Mezcal / Cachaça 
• Ready-to-Drink / Hard Seltzer 
• Rum

Entries for the following categories must be received by May 21, 2021.

• Wine
• Low-Alcohol / No-Alcohol / Mixer 
• Whiskey / Whisky / Bourbon / Scotch 
• Cordial / Liqueur / After-Dinner Drink

• Each selected category contender will be contacted by WSWA no later than 5/17/2021.
• Each category winner will be chosen live during individual competitions.
• The Brand Battle Champion will also be announced live during the final competition. 

CLICK HERE for example questions that all entrants should be ready to answer either in their pitch, on their video or during the Q&A time with judges. Please note these are just some suggested questions that may be asked.

Yes, all applicants will receive timely communication regarding their submission and the selection committee's decisions.

We are sorry, but this tournament is only for brands that are currently distributed and/or imported in the United States. Companies must have the appropriate TTB license, and products must have a Certificate/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA).

Shipping instructions will be provided to each competitor once each competition participant has been chosen. Each competition will have specific instructions. If chosen, you will need to be able to ship 6-7 packages of your product to the panel of wholesaler judges for your competition. Stay tuned for more information!

Once you have completed an application, you will receive an invoice for payment as well as a link for you to upload your video. Payments may be made via credit card or check. For more questions, contact:

Kristi Hepner, Coordinator, Meetings and Conventions

Kristi@wswa.org | 202-243-7508

There are no hidden fees. The only additional fee is for the shipment of your product.

Do not worry if you are not currently distributed in the United States. As long as your company/importer has the appropriate TTB license and your product has a Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA), you can enter the competition.

There are (8) category competitions and (1) overall Brand Battle Championship. For more information, Click HERE.

There will be 5-6 competitors in each of the (8) category competitions. Once the category winners are chosen, there will then be (8) competitors in the Brand Battle Championship event.

A selection committee of industry experts, wholesaler leaders and a panel of WSWA personnel will choose the contestants. The selection committee will not include anyone who will be a judge during the competitions.

You may enter as many products as you wish! Each product entered will have a separate entry fee.

Once you have submitted an application and paid your entry fee, you will receive a link via email for you to upload your video.

Yes! Please fill out an application and select “Other” in the category selection area. Competitor Applications can be found HERE.

For more information regarding sponsorship, look HERE or contact:

Nicole Anderson, Manager, Sales and Business Development

Nicole@wswa.org | 202-243-7510

If you are chosen as a competitor and have to cancel your participation, you may do so, however, the application fee is non-refundable. You must email your cancellation notification to Kari Langerman, VP, Meetings & Conventions at Kari@wswa.org.

Please contact any of the following to assist you:

GENERAL INQUIRIES:

Kari Langerman, SVP, Meetings and Conventions

Kari@wswa.org

202-243-7516

QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLICATIONS:

Kristi Hepner, Coordinator, Meetings and Conventions

Kristi@wswa.org

202-243-7508

Lisa Koenig, Consultant, Meetings and Conventions

Lisa.Koenig@wswa.org

202-371-9786

SPONSORSHIP QUESTIONS:

Nicole Anderson, Manager, Sales and Business Development

Nicole@wswa.org

202-243-7510