Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
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www.beveragedynamics.com July/August 2017 • Beverage Dynamics 13 TRIP Report FOX NEWS ANCHOR CHRIS WALLACE is not sure what to expect from President Trump. But the veteran journalist has a hunch about how Washington D.C. will work under the new president: more political gridlock. So argued Wallace during his keynote speech for the 74th annual Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America conference at the Grande Lakes Orlando. Each year the WSWA confer- ence brings together thousands of distributors, producers and media members. Amid a humorous speech that explored his decades in Washington D.C., Wallace shared insight on the new adminis- tration, and how it could affect the alcohol industry. "After thirty years in Washington D.C. I felt like I could pre- dict how things would play out. That is no longer the case," Wallace said of Trump's surprise victory. "Though I wonder whether he has the discipline and temperament to marshal his agenda through Congress." Alluding to Trump's recent failures with travel restrictions and healthcare overhaul, Wallace said, "I think most new pres- idents overestimate their mandates from the American people. And that leads to mistakes of hubris." Wallace drew parallels to President Obama's post-election dismissal of Republicans, which helped fuel eight years of po- litical rancor and stalemate. "I'm afraid the same thing could happen again," Wallace said. To appeal to President Trump, Wallace suggested that the alcohol industry highlight its American-made products. But this may complicate sales of imported products, he added. INDUSTRY TITANS Whatever future challenges may face the industry, WSWA Chairman Carmine Martignetti of Martignetti Companies be- lieves they are best tackled through cooperation. "How do we respond to change? We respond together," he said during the opening ceremony. As example, Martignetti cited WSWA's recent investment in the digital alcohol delivery app Drizly. "This is exactly the kind of work we need to keep WSWA vibrant and relevant." Cannabis legalization remained a pertinent topic. While the WSWA has remained neutral on the issue, Martignetti said that "there's no denying the change that's coming" with marijuana. LIVE FROM THE WSWA CONVENTION BY KYLE SWARTZ Left: Fox News Anchor Chris Wallace delivered the keynote address at WSWA2017. Above: the annual conference featured several mixology tournaments.