2025 NAWR SUMMIT AGENDA
Wednesday, May 7
8:00 am – 9:00 am
BREAKFAST
9:00 am
WELCOME
Dave Parker, CEO Benchmark Wine; President NAWR
9:15 am
PLATINUM INTRODUCTION
Marc Goodfriend, CEO, WeShip Express
9:25 am
KEYNOTE
Karen MacNeil
10:10 am
BREAK
10:25 am
THE STATE OF THE FIGHT
Tom Wark, Executive Director, National Association of Wine Retailers
NAWR Executive Director Tom Wark will provide his annual “State of the Fight” address at the Summit. Wark, a keen observer of the wine marketplace and unflagging proponent of retailer rights will outline the challenges faced by NAWR and its members and the response the organization has and will provide.
11:00 am
HOW CAN I GET THAT?—ALTERNATIVE INVENTORY PROCUREMENT FOR RETAILERS
Cheryl Durzy, Liberation Distribution
Justin Hammer, B-21 Wines
Jacob Moynihan, Merchant 23
How can wine retailers diversify their offerings beyond the selection provided to them and their competitors by local wholesalers? Is there a better way to procure inventory that sets the retailer apart? These three panelists provide and practice alternative inventory procurement to the traditional three-tier system.
Noon
LUNCH
1:30 pm
EVERYTHING FINE WINE RETAILERS MUST KNOW ABOUT NO/LO ALCOHOL WINES
Nick Bodkins, Boisson
Rachel Martin, Oceano Wines
Anthony Scotto, Scotto Cellars
Tracy Sweeney, Tomorrow Cellars
All three panelists are deeply involved in the production, distribution, and sales of No/Lo Wine, which is growing and appears to be here to stay. From growing the grapes to producing the wines, to the technology involved, to crafting the products, to wholesaling and selling, and to the unique compliance requirements of the category, all this and more will be covered in this wide-ranging session that will include a sampling of No Alcohol wines.
2:30 pm
THE REALITY AND THREATS OF TARIFFS: WHAT’S A WINE RETAILER TO DO?
Ben Aneff, Tribeca Wines, President of the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance (USWTA)
Harmon Skurnik, Skurnik Wine & Spirits, Director USWTA
Kate Laughlin, CEO Martine’s Wine, Director USWTA
What is the current state of tariffs? How long can they last? Are more coming? Most importantly, how can a retailer respond? These and other critical questions will be addressed in a timely panel made up of members of the United States Wine Trade Alliance which has been pushing back against the threat of tariffs since 2019.
3:15 pm
THE FUTURE OF WINE RETAIL: FORGET ABOUT TODAY, WHAT’S COMING?
Jon Moromarco, managing partner, bw166,
Robbie Stevens, Head of Broking, LivEx
Jonathan, Cristaldi, Decanter Magazine, Napa Correspondent
Yes. Today there are headwinds. Some are severe. Some are systemic. Some are manufactured. Some we don’t yet know how they will impact wine retail. But what about tomorrow? What about 2 or three years from today? What will the industry look like then? In this panel, we bring together three very different presenters with different perspectives to look into their crystal ball and bring clarity to what’s to come. Panelists to be announced.
7:00 pm
BYOB DINNER
University Club
Thursday, May 8
8:00 am – 9:00 am
BREAKFAST
9:00
WELCOME
Dave Parker, CEO, Benchmark Wine; President, NAWR
9:15
IN DEFENSE OF WINE
Dr. Laura Catena, Managing Director, Bodega Catena Zapata
Dr. Catena is known the world over as the champion of Argentine wine and the steward of the famed Bodega Catena Zapata. She is also well know as one of the most articulate advocates for a lifestyle with wine. Her background as an emergency room physician for many years and a vintner puts her in the perfect position to make a defense of wine, moderate consumption and someone who can bring rational observations to the question of wine and health.
10:15 am
HOW TO TALK ABOUT WINE AND HEALTH WITHOUT WORRY
John Hinman, Founding Partner, Hinman & Carmichael
W. Blake Gray, U.S. Editor, Wine-Searcher—Moderator
What can a wine retailer say about wine and health and not put themselves in harm’s way? How can a retailer discuss the nuanced issues surrounding wine and cancer without risking liability? John Hinman has been advising clients at every level of the alcohol industry for more than four decades. In this talk, John will layout the issue that retailer must take into account when they choose to speak out on behalf of wine and the moderate consumption of wine. John is introduced by and will respond to questions from W. Blake Gray, the U.S. Editor and perhaps the most experienced wine journalist working today.
11:15 am
ASK ME ANYTHING: THE EXPERTS RESPOND
Ben Aneff, Tribeca Wine Merchants; President, U.S. Wine Trade Alliance: Tariffs
Anthony Scotto, CEO, Scotto Cellars, No/Lo Alcohol Wine
Robert Epstein, Attorney: Constitutional Law
Gillian Garrett, Attorney: Alcohol/Retailer Law
Dan Allen, Dir. of Sales, WeShip Express: Wine Shipping
Steve Harrison, CEO, VinoShipper: Compliance
This is your last and best chance to ask a question of the experts. Compliance, legal, constitutional, taxation, Technology, Marketing, tariffs, wine shipping. It’s all on the table. In the last session of the Summit, we present a battery of experts to respond to any of your questions either left over from previous sessions or brand new. It’s your opportunity to ask them anything.
Noon
FINAL THOUGHTS
Dave Parker, CEO Benchmark Wine; President, NAWR
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