ACSA Debuts Comprehensive Education Program for 2025 Convention

Washington D.C - January 16, 2025– The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), the only national registered nonprofit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry, is excited to announce its education schedule for the 2025 American Craft Spirits Convention & Expo, the trade organization’s 12th and annual convention, which takes place from March 10-12 in Tucson, Arizona. 

In its strongest education lineup to date, attendees can expect actionable insights from more than 30 hours of education from nearly 40 industry leaders included as a part of the convention price. These experts will cover a range of topics focusing on production trends, business strategy, legislative shifts, and more. The education programming includes education at all levels including fundamental, intermediate, or advanced.

Education Highlights:

All the Way Up: Vertical Start Up Considerations for Craft Distillers - This presentation explores certain tenets of Total Productive Maintenance principles, a methodology originally developed for lean manufacturing in Japan and commonly utilized by larger distillery operations when investing in large capital projects, such as distillery buildouts.

Speaker: Sydney Jones, Heaven Hill Distillery

Cashing In on New Revenue Streams - In the midst of challenging times, distilleries may be looking for alternative means of revenue. This presentation will dive into a number of potential opportunities for resourceful suppliers. 

Speaker: Ryan Malkin, Malkin Law

Navigating Ecommerce Compliance - All Ecommerce companies claim to be three tier compliant, but what exactly does that mean? This presentation will explore how these companies operate and what regulatory issues to be aware of. 

Speakers: Matthew Botting, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control; Josh Hammond, Buster's Liquors & Wines; Jaci Flug, Greenspoon Marder, LLP; Michael Walker, the Walker Group 

Distillery 101 Course -  For those new to distilling or the industry, ACSA offers a range of introductory topics, as well as its signature 2-day add-on Distillery 101 Course before the show formally kicks off to offer a comprehensive understanding of the craft spirits category.

The American Craft Spirits Convention & Expo (formerly called the Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show) brings together more than 500 beverage alcohol companies to harness the energy of the category. Since 2014, it’s where craft spirits gather annually to network, explore products and services from suppliers, and work together to secure a bright future for craft spirits.

Educational programming for the ACSA Convention & Expo is selected by ACSA’s education committee, composed of ACSA craft spirits members from around the country.

About ACSA

The American Craft Spirits Association is the only national registered nonprofit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers, and membership in ACSA is open to anyone.  

ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members of the Association. Voting members must be independent licensed distillers (DSPs) annually removing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons from bond (the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid.) For information about ACSA, call 202-669-3661.