The wine and spirits industry's premier event
to be held February 3 – 6 will offer
a new, elevated tasting competition and feature a dynamic
programming schedule.
WASHINGTON, July 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is now open
for Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America's (WSWA's) Access
LIVE 2025. WSWA's Access LIVE is the beverage alcohol industry's
leading event, bringing together wholesalers, suppliers, retailers,
service providers, importers and exporters all under one roof. This
can't-miss event will be held February
3 – 6, 2025, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention
Center in Denver.
Register by September
24, 2024, for early-bird registration rates.
To
register, visit accesslive.wswa.org.
The show, now in its third year since being redesigned, brings
all three tiers of the industry under one roof where attendees can
expect two and a half days of unrivaled relationship building,
dealmaking, interactive experiences, content-producing
opportunities and hot topic panel discussions. This is the first
time the event will be held outside of the Orlando or Las
Vegas metro areas in over 20 years.
New this year, an elevated Wine and Spirits Tasting Competition
— in partnership with The Tasting Alliance, the largest and most
prestigious awards company in the world — will be taking place in
the days leading up to the show's official start. Competing brands
can enter to earn bragging rights throughout their entire Access
LIVE journey with the Best in Show Tasting for all attendees taking
place live on the show floor in HQ Connect. After the competition,
10 winners will advance to the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits
Competition.
"We are thrilled to partner with WSWA at Access LIVE for this
exciting new tasting competition," said Amanda Blue of The Tasting Alliance. "This
collaboration allows us to discover and celebrate exceptional new
wine and spirits brands. Together, we aim to highlight innovative
producers and provide them with the recognition they deserve."
Returning to the show will be Access HQ, a reimagined exhibit
hall experience featuring over 400 exhibit booths and more than 70
Main Street suites — all within the convention center complex.
Average walk times between the hall floor and Main Street Suites
are less than five minutes, meaning attendees can fit in more
exploration, networking and dealmaking than ever before. The
exhibit hall will also feature the LIVE Stage, where TED-style
sessions will take place, and The Hub, including the Content Lab
featuring free videos produced by Pour Agency, a fan favorite.
Back by popular demand are Wholesaler Power Hours featuring
leaders from the second tier who will discuss and debate the best
course for success in the U.S. marketplace, how to build successful
partnerships in franchise states, and how control jurisdictions
hold nearly 25% of U.S. spirits consumption and are setting trends
across the rest of the country. These sessions will take place on
the LIVE Stage.
To learn more about the dynamic content at
Access LIVE 2025, visit
accesslive.wswa.org/schedule.
WSWA's highly anticipated Brand
Battle will return in 2025, with a virtual category
tournament leading up to a championship held on the Access
LIVE Main stage. Brand Battle is
WSWA's version of Shark Tank, where brand representatives
pitch to a panel of industry experts. Past Brand Battle winners include, Gray Whale Gin (2019), Campesino Rum (2022),
Sunshine Punch (2023), and most
recently, Quintaliza Tequila (2024). WSWA's Brand Battle served as a springboard for these
brands, exposing them to immediate distribution deals, positive
media buzz and other brand-development opportunities.
To learn more about Brand Battle and to register for the
competition, visit
accesslive.wswa.org/brand-battle.
The Main Stage will feature keynote speakers, general sessions,
award ceremonies and the live 2025 Brand Battle Championship. The
General Sessions will showcase remarks from industry members, brand
owners and celebrities, plus a welcome address from WSWA President
and CEO Francis Creighton and an
address from President of Opici Family Distributing and WSWA's
first female Chair of the Board, Dina
Opici. To submit a speaking proposal, visit
https://accesslive.wswa.org/submit-speaker-proposal.
WSWA's SipSource will present a comprehensive State of the
Industry report at Access LIVE, providing attendees with the latest
data, trends and a forward-looking forecast. This insightful
presentation will equip industry professionals with essential
information to navigate the evolving market landscape. For the
first time, SipSource will also feature an interactive data center
in Access HQ, offering a unique opportunity for attendees to engage
with product managers, users and analysts. This dedicated space
will foster informative discussions, allowing participants to delve
deeper into the latest data and trends shaping the industry.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities or to
submit an award or speaker nomination,
visit accesslive.wswa.org.
"This is the first time the show will be outside of Orlando or Las
Vegas in a generation, and we couldn't be more excited to be
in Denver," said Creighton.
"Denver captures the energy and
vibrancy of the exhibit hall floor and the spirit of exploration
and discovery that is Access LIVE. We're excited to once again
bring together all three tiers and really showcase what makes our
industry unique — the personal relationships that drive
successful partnerships."
Learn more about Access LIVE at
accesslive.wswa.org or contact the Access LIVE hotline at
202-371-5682.
Media interested in attending Access LIVE
should visit www.accesslive.wswa.org/media to submit
credential requests.
About WSWA's Access LIVE
WSWA's Access LIVE is the largest U.S. event uniting all tiers of
the beverage alcohol industry. Featuring buy-sell engagements,
high-level information panels, wine and spirits competition and
C-suite-level networking, this event has been a premier destination
for beverage alcohol wholesalers, suppliers and now retailers since
its inception in 1943. To learn more, please visit
accesslive.wswa.org or connect with us across our social
platforms on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube or follow
us at #AccessLIVE25.
About The Tasting Alliance
For over 40 years, The
Tasting Alliance has pioneered the beverage competition space,
setting the standard as the largest and longest-standing blind
evaluation alcohol competition worldwide. The Tasting Alliance is
renowned for its unwavering impartiality and judging process,
earning the trust of participating brands, judges and enthusiasts.
Double Gold medal winners are chosen by esteemed blind judging
panels, recognized as the most trusted in the industry. From
internationally acclaimed distilleries and wineries to artisanal
craft producers and boutique vineyards, its awards serve as
catalysts for success, propelling brands toward global
recognition.
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael
Bilello
Executive Vice President, Strategic Communications &
Marketing
michael@wswa.org | (202) 716-4805
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SOURCE Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America