The 80th annual National Beer Wholesalers Association Convention kicked off in Las Vegas yesterday, opening with a somber remembrance in honor of the victims of last weekend’s shooting. The event has been held in Las Vegas during odd-numbered years for the past 30 of its 80 years, a milestone the event didn’t overlook. After walking attendees through the long legacy of the NBWA, Chairman of the Board Paul Bertucci spoke about his personal history in Mississippi and how beer distributors are helping in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
President and CEO Craig Purser spoke about the challenges facing the middle tier, and how standing together as independent distributors can help the industry overcome outside pressures. He emphasized the NBWA’s political action committee and some of the legislative changes it’s fought against in recent years, before introducing Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta.
Acosta spoke about the booming economy and how low unemployment, decreased regulations and tax reform will improve the beer wholesaling industry.
Later, Tom Fox of CM Profit Group and NBWA Chief Economist Lester Jones discussed industry trends and challenges. Among the top ones were SKU overload, misalignment among the tiers and occasion-stealing from wine and spirits.
Heineken USA President and CEO Ronald den Elzen spoke about the industry’s need to come together with one voice. He said that in recent years Heineken has tried to “go it alone” in turning around the declines in beer sales, but realizes that all suppliers need to work together to reverse falling sales. Among the strategies the company has tried in Europe that it’s promoting for the U.S. market is “Love Beer,” which tries to improve beer’s image as a sophisticated drink that appeals to both men and women.
Finally, former Press Secretary in the George W. Bush administration, Dana Perino, spoke about her experiences working in the White House and at Fox News.
Life Service Award
LaMantia is general partner of L&F Distributors, a company he purchased in 1978 with one location in McAllen, Texas, and fewer than 20 employees. The company slowly expanded distribution to cities and counties along the Texas-Mexico border, including Harlingen, Alice and Laredo. In 2001, L&F branched out into Corpus Christi and seven years later, had a presence in El Paso and Roswell, NM. Today, the company consists of eight distribution warehouses, services 35 counties throughout Texas and southeastern New Mexico and employs more than 1,200 people. 
