Distilled Spirits Council and American Craft Spirits Association Co-Host
Annual Public Policy Conference May 25-26
– More Than 100 Virtual Congressional Visits Planned –
WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 200 distillers from across the country are gathering virtually May 25-26 for the distilled spirits industry’s annual Public Policy Conference, co-hosted by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA).
“While we’re meeting virtually again this year, there is a renewed sense of optimism and determination among distillers to roll up their sleeves during this year’s public policy conference to help distilleries and the hospitality industry bounce back and recover,” said DISCUS President & CEO Chris Swonger. “Coming out of the pandemic, this year’s conference focuses on a new set of challenges and opportunities for the spirits industry — from the EU’s retaliatory tariff on American Whiskey, to legislation at both the federal and state levels that will responsibly expand market access to adult spirits consumers.”
Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO, American Craft Spirits Association added, “As an industry, we have gained incredible momentum this year with the passage of the Federal Excise Tax (FET) reduction, a legislative effort that was truly a decade in the making. But as we look ahead, there is still much work to be done as our industry recovers from the pandemic and addresses critical issues that still face our small businesses, like modernization. We are thrilled to once again bring our collective voices to Washington virtually as we continue to champion our mighty industry.”
Swonger and Lehrman stated that these public policy conferences have resulted in tremendous achievements for the spirits industry. Most notably, this includes the passage of historic legislation to make the federal excise tax cut for distillers permanent as well as important federal support for distillers whose small businesses were affected by the pandemic.
This year’s conference will feature federal and regulatory sessions on priority issues facing the spirits industry, including a panel with leaders from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
Special guest speakers, Senator Todd Young (R-IN), member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Small Business Committee, and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), member of the Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, will also address the group on key topics impacting small businesses and the distilling community such as the RESTAURANTS Act and tariffs.
As part of the conference, distillers from nearly all 50 states will participate in more than 100 virtual congressional visits with their home state legislators to share the challenges craft distilleries continue to face as a result of the pandemic and to urge their support for legislative measures that facilitate the revival of the craft distilling industry.
Conference attendees include distillers, owners or operators of distilled spirits plants, sales teams, and spirits industry suppliers.
Media Contacts:
Distilled Spirits Council: Lisa Hawkins, 202-256-1330
American Craft Spirits Association: Alexandra Clough, 516-428-7210
