Press Release

More than 600 beer and beverage distributors met with over 400 congressional offices

Washington, D.C. – More than 600 members of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) gathered in Washington, D.C. to advocate for pro-growth tax policies that enable Main Street businesses to invest in their local communities.

Beer and beverage distributors from across America arrived in our nation’s capital for NBWA’s Legislative Conference, held April 6-9, to make their voices heard in over 400 meetings with members of Congress and their staff. Attendees also enjoyed expert analysis on regulatory and political developments impacting the industry, including a keynote address from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08).

Distributors focused their advocacy on the urgent need for Congress to maintain competitive tax policy for Main Street businesses. If Congress does not act, local, family-owned businesses face a significant tax increase when provisions from the 2017 tax bill expire at the end of this year.

“This is our chance to remind our representatives that beer distributors are local businesses that drive significant economic activity and provide solid career path opportunities,” said NBWA Chair Rebecca Maisel. “Raising our taxes hurts our ability to invest in our businesses, our valued employees and our communities.”

Other key issues highlighted at this year’s conference included prioritizing unbiased, sound science when updating the alcohol section of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and supporting our nation’s successful state-based alcohol regulatory system.

Maisel urged attendees to share the industry’s great story of community service and local growth in their meetings with policymakers. Beer and beverage distributors employ 135,000 hardworking Americans and contribute more than $56 billion to the U.S. economy.

NBWA’s Legislative Conference is a valuable opportunity to help lawmakers understand the vital role beer and beverage distributors play in maintaining a safe, competitive alcohol marketplace, NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser told attendees.

“There are more than 70 new members of Congress this year, some of whom are not familiar with beer and beverage distribution, who have never heard of the three-tier system and who may not know the central role you all play in your local economies,” said Purser. “It’s time to get back to basics, to educate, to inform and to advocate for this great industry.”

In addition to Chairman Smith, speakers at this year’s conference included Kellyanne Conway, former Senior Counselor to President Trump, who provided insights on navigating the current political landscape, and an industry update from a panel of beverage leaders:

• John Bodnovich, Executive Director, American Beverage Licensees
• Brian Crawford, President and CEO, Beer Institute
• Bart Watson, President and CEO, Brewers Association
• Moderated by Craig Purser, President and CEO, NBWA

The 2025 Legislative Conference opened with the largest Building Relationships & Empowering Women (BREW) Leadership Forum yet. More than 160 women and men in the beer distribution industry gathered to sharpen their leadership skills and explore the new industry landscape — preparing themselves to win in an era of change. The event featured insightful remarks from Representative Angie Craig (MN-02), Representative Julie Fedorchak (ND-At Large) and former CNN journalist Nadia Bilchik.

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The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America’s 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district, and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases, and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants, and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system.

Distributors build brands of all sizes – from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world – and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 135,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving, and reduce underage drinking.