America's Beer Distributors

Photo courtesy of BisnowDuring a recent panel discussion hosted by Washington, D.C., business publication Bisnow, National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) President Craig Purser highlighted community and communication as the key ingredients for planning successful events and engaging membership.  The panel featured association CEO’s discussing their best event strategies.

As a speaker on the panel, Purser was invited to share with a group of association and non-profit professionals the secret to the success of NBWA’s most recent Annual Convention and Trade Show, which featured record attendance despite difficult economic times.  NBWA’s 72^nd Annual Convention and Trade Show was held in September 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and highlighted a distributor-focused agenda and the important role of America’s beer distributors and effective state alcohol regulation. 

“NBWA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show is a primary communication vehicle for our members, and coming together with a common sense of purpose is critical,” Purser said.  He emphasized the value of having speakers who customize their remarks for the audience and the industry.  Purser also described the popularity of the Convention’s distributor member meeting and the need to gather members’ input on the agenda they would most like to discuss:  “It’s important to ask members what they want to consume before you set the menu.”

The panel’s other featured speakers included Julie Coons, President and CEO of the Electronic Retailing Association, and Howard Nusbaum, President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association.  Juanita Duggan, former CEO of the American Forest and Paper Association and the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc., served as the moderator.