America's Beer Distributors

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The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) has a lot to offer its members – and not just distributor members!  Associate members are reaping the benefits of their membership with NBWA as well.  Brewers, importers, vendors, consultants and firms that supply services and products to licensed beer distributors are eligible for associate membership. 

In addition to investing in the future of the industry, there are many reasons why those eligible for associate membership should consider becoming a part of the NBWA team. 

One benefit of associate membership is the opportunity to further your recognition within the industry.  NBWA provides associate members with opportunities to participate in the industry's most prestigious Annual Convention and biennial Trade Show.  Your name will be placed on a priority mailing list to receive registration materials, an exhibitor prospectus and sponsorship opportunities.  Associate members receive discounted registration fees and exhibit fees as well as priority placement on the Trade Show Floor.

Associate members also have the opportunity to advertise in NBWA’s annual membership directory, Who’s Who in Beer Distributing.  This valuable industry guide lists beer distributors throughout the U.S., as well as the brewers and importers they represent.  The Buyer's Guide section of the directory lists associate members, along with the products and services they provide to beer distributors.

Additionally, NBWA associate members can reach distributors through the Associate Member Viewpoints Program.  This program allows associate members to publish an informative, educational article in The Beer Route, NBWA's bi-monthly e-newsletter, which you are reading right now.  The Beer Route reaches more than 2,500 beer distributors, suppliers and industry allies!  For an example of an Associate Member Viewpoints article, check out this article by Robert Vetter of IVES Training Group.

Another benefit to associate membership involves the use of marketing materials.  NBWA provides its associate members with contact information for beer distributors – members and non-members – throughout the country.  These lists are available electronically and can be customized to fit your needs.  

NBWA associate members also receive associate member logos to affix on promotional items and marketing materials which are sent to beer distributors. (Any use of NBWA logos must be reviewed by NBWA membership staff prior to printing and mailing.)  As an associate member, Premier Merchandising, Inc., was able to make use of NBWA’s logo on the company’s Web site.

Associate members also have access to industry studies such as the Biennial Distributor Productivity Report.  Published every other year, this benchmarking "cost of doing business" study contains invaluable, industry-wide financial and operational analysis.  The Biennial Compensation & Benefits Study is a comparative analysis that gives beer distributors a priceless management tool for weighing their company's compensation and benefits practices against their industry peers.

Another perk to associate membership is access to copies of the many informative publications and videos that NBWA provides its members.  These materials can help associate members better understand their customers.  Some of these resources include the NBWA Annual Review, the NBWA Handbook, America’s Beer Distributors: Delivering Choice and Value One Beer at a Time brochure, America’s Beer Distributors: Promoting Responsibility in Our Communities brochure, Mr. Beer Guy: A Day in the Life of a Beer Distributor video and the Everyday Dining with Beer recipe guide.

For more information, or to find out if you're eligible for associate membership, contact the NBWA Meetings and Membership Department at 800-300-6417.

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