BevNET Live: Distributors to Explore the “Cartel Effect”
BevNET Live attendees will have the chance to hear from and meet beverage distributors of all sizes and styles, but one of the most topical discussions of the event will be held on Tuesday, June 7 when speakers from some of the key organizations shaping the distribution landscape will take the stage. At the top of the panel's list: exploring how entrepreneurial and innovative beverage companies need to adjust to take advantage of the changes being wrought by the increased consolidation of independent DSD houses into newer networked organizations. On hand will be Don Miller of New York State's Wright Wisner Group, a member of the regional Northeast Independent Distributors' Association, and Bob Groux, whose Coast Brands Group has rolled together a suite of distributors in California, the Southwest, and beyond, as well as Gerry Martin of Polar Beverages, which covers several states and recently added a bottling plant in Georgia to its footprint. Additionally, independent distributor Tom Lebon of New Age and Nat Noone, who focuses on building smaller brands in specialty and natural channels via Green Shoots will be on hand to broaden the discussion to include organizations of all sizes
