NBWA - National Beer Wholesalers Association Inc.

10/14/2026 | Press release | Archived content

NBWA’s 89th Annual Convention Highlights Growth Opportunities, Innovation and Optimism

Press Release Oct 14, 2026

NBWA's 89th Annual Convention Highlights Growth Opportunities, Innovation and Optimism

Luke Dahlheimer of Dahlheimer Beverage Named Board Chair

ORLANDO, Fla. - Today, the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) wrapped up its 89th Annual Convention & Product Showcase in Orlando, naming Minnesota's Luke Dahlheimer as its new board chair.

More than 1,800 beer distributors and beverage leaders gathered for a sold-out Product Showcase and dynamic speaker lineup, including the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. In a conversation sponsored by Greater, President Bush shared lessons on leadership, reflected on challenges facing our nation and reminded attendees of the enduring importance of freedom.

The week's programming delivered an optimistic vision for the future of beer and beverage distribution, while giving attendees strategies to drive immediate growth in their businesses.

"The strengths that carry this industry forward remain: independent businesses, a competitive system, strong relationships, providing for your community and the pride of delivering enjoyment and bringing people together," said NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser. "We will defend the system that creates choice and competition. And we will remind America that gathering over a beer is still one of the best ways to connect with family, friends and neighbors."

The week's content gave beer distributors fresh ideas and new connections to help their businesses succeed in a time of change:

  • The second annual BIECC Innovation Showcase featured product demonstrations from 20 technology companies.
  • Distributors sampled new-to-market beverages and explored vendor solutions in the sold-out Product Showcase, featuring 172 exhibitors and over 50 first-time companies.
  • Attendees participated in 19 education seminars covering total beverage distribution, federal policymaking, growth opportunities and other key industry issues.
  • Dr. Jason Halbert (Chief Behavioral Scientist, Greater) delivered insights into decision-making habits that drive results, while Bruce Mehlman (Mehlman Consulting) provided a political update and roadmap for effective advocacy.
Incoming NBWA Chair Luke Dahlheimer, President of Dahlheimer Beverage in Monticello, Minnesota, encouraged distributors to embrace new ideas and opportunities while keeping relationship-building at the core of their work.

"We are in a changing marketplace. The products are changing, consumers are changing and the pressures on our industry are changing," said Dahlheimer. "The strength of independent beer distribution has always been our ability to adapt without losing sight of who we are. Let's continue to show the country what independent beverage distributors have always done best: connect people, build communities and deliver value every single day."

Strategies for growing the traditional beer category took center stage in Orlando. Outgoing NBWA Chair Steve Beykirch reflected on beer's ability to bring people together and urged distributors to continue creating opportunities for meaningful connection.

"Beer is one of the best reasons people put down the phone and actually show up," said Beykirch. "So, the real question isn't only about volume on a spreadsheet. The real question is: Who is going to fight for those moments of real, in-person connection?"

Two General Session panels delved further into today's biggest questions about category growth and portfolio expansion:

  • Turning Occasions into Cases: How Beer Wins When People Gather featured Kristen Burke of Burke Distributing Corporation, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Brewery, Lauren Doll-Sheeder of Doll Distributing and Bobby Greenawalt of Greenawalt Hospitality. NBWA's Lester Jones moderated the discussion.
  • The Great Convergence featured Michael Corrigan of Keg1 Colorado, J.R. Hand of Hand Family Companies, Peter Heimark of Heimark Distributing and Bubba Moffett of Crescent Crown. Mike Frank of Frank Beverage Group moderated the discussion.
NBWA also recognized exceptional distributor contributions to the industry:
  • Don Klopcic Jr. (West Side Beer Distributing) and George O'Connor (O'Connor Distributing) both received the Life Service Award, NBWA's highest honor, for their leadership and legacy in beer distribution.
  • The Freida G. Maisel Trailblazer Awards were presented to Laura Markstein and The Odom Corporation for advancing opportunities for women in the industry.
  • The Public Affairs Award was presented to Beer Girls and Andrews Distributing in recognition of their impactful promotion of the beer distribution industry.
  • The Kenny Kerr PAC Award honored Aaron Caffey for his outstanding commitment to advocating for the beer industry.
  • Nevada Beverage, represented by Patrick Clark and Chris Clark, received the Whitey Littlefield Award, which celebrates distributors who go the extra mile to grow the NBWA PAC.

NBWA's 90th Annual Convention & Trade Show will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 5-8, 2027.

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The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents America's 3,000 independent beer distributors who service every state, congressional district, and media market across the country. Licensed at the federal and state levels, beer distributors get bottles, cans, cases, and kegs from a brewer or importer to stores, restaurants, and other licensed retail accounts through a transparent and accountable regulatory system.
Distributors build brands of all sizes - from familiar domestic beers to new startup labels and imports from around the world - and generate enormous consumer choice while supporting more than 135,000 quality jobs in their home communities. Beer distributors work locally to keep communities safe by sponsoring programs to promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving, and reduce underage drinking.
NBWA - National Beer Wholesalers Association Inc. published this content on October 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 16, 2026 at 18:24 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]