Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/65124
WHOLESALING A Look Inside the Industry's by Rachel Burkons THIS YEAR'S WSWA (WINE & SPIRITS WHOLESALERS OF AMERICA) CONVENTION WENT BEYOND THE MEET AND GREET Main Event I t's not often when you can have a business meeting in an elevator, but in early April, when the wine and spirits industry descended upon Caesars Palace for the 69th annual Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention & Exposition, if you stood in one place long enough, you were bound to encounter someone you know for an impromptu industry chat. With nearly 2,300 attendees, from distributors and importers to brands and buy- ers, WSWA provided four days of dynamic seminars and meetings, as well as a series of competitions that pitted some of the industry's best against each other in a friendly, fun environment. After the convention hall closed, the industry con- tinued to mix and mingle at a series of only-in-Vegas parties, and THE TASTING PANEL was on hand to capture it all. In the Iron Mixology Competition, Chris Chamberlin com- peted on behalf of Charmer-Sunbelt; Catarina Miltenberger stepped up to the bar for Glazer's; Francesco Lafranconi shaked for Southern Wine and Spirits, and Andrew Pollard crafted cocktails on behalf of Wirtz Beverage. may 2012 / the tasting panel / 119 PHOTO: DANIELLE "DEED" DEBRUNO