National Conference of State Liquor Administrators
When:
Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
to
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Where:
Hyatt Centric Beale Street Hotel
33 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103
 
1-800-233-1234 (Toll Free Reservations)

NCSLA 2023 NORTHERN-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

Take a tour of the Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis.

Conference Group Rates*: Group rates expired August 27, 2023.

Group Rate (N/A): $229/night plus taxes and fees for single/double occupancy.

Government Rate (N/A): $123/night plus taxes and fees for single/double occupancy. Must have valid government ID at check-in.

If you are planning on attending the conference and have not secured a hotel reservation, search for hotel availability via our trusted partner aRes Travel.

Book online or call 1-800-559-3186 for assistance.

aRes Travel is a third-party travel planner. Rates, deposits, and cancellation policies may vary and are the responsibility of the guest. Questions on hotel policies or payments made on aRes website should be directed to the aRes Reservation Center or to the hotel directly.

Public Transportation:

Airline Travel
Memphis International Airport (MEM) – is located approximately 12 miles from the Hyatt Centric Beale Street Hotel and is serviced by major airlines. Please visit the website for more information.

Airport Transportation – taxi service, rideshare and car rental are all available for travel to and from the airport.

Driving Directions

Hotel Valet Parking Rates:
o Overnight - $32+tax / night
o Daily - $15+tax / day

Public Self-Parking Rate:
MLGW parking lot is located across the street from hotel.
o $10 per day (no in/out privilege)

*rates are subject to change

Questions? Contact:

Conference Hosts:
Russell Thomas
615-741-7620 or russell.thomas@tn.gov
 
Cassie Isenhower-Coon
615-741-9994 or cassie.isenhower-coon@tn.gov

Conference Planner:
Erin Dillard at 202-717-2150 or erin.dillard@conferencedirect.com

2023 NORTHERN/SOUTHERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Memphis, Tennessee

NCSLA 2023 NORTHERN-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

Conference Information

Come join us in Memphis, Tennessee, the home of blues and the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll! Memphis has a vibrant and inspiring atmosphere that we are excited for you to experience. The host hotel is conveniently situated near the Mississippi River on Beale Street, right in the heart of the city’s entertainment district. You will find many of Memphis’s famous attractions within walking distance. Experience the warmth of southern hospitality as you collaborate with regulators and industry members. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of the exciting Memphis momentum - reserve your spot today!

Business Meeting

The 2023 North/South Regional will center around the theme of "Memphis Momentum." The event will feature panel discussions on various topics that explore the relationship between regulations and recent trends. One panel will discuss the growth of craft distilling and the challenges faced by those businesses. There will also be presentations on new production methods and products, such as alternating proprietorships and the production of ready-to-drink cocktails. We will discuss new funding mechanisms, such as NFTs and new marketing platforms. We will round out the content with a summary of alcohol legislation from statehouses across the country over the past year. Join us at the 2023 North/South Regional for an insightful and dynamic exploration of the ever-evolving interplay between regulations and innovations.

Business Agenda | Presenter Biographies

Social Activities

Our social activities are designed to give you a unique Memphis experience. We will start with a welcome reception on the rooftop of the Hyatt Centric with views of the Mississippi River and downtown. We will host our banquet at a local favorite, Itta Bena restaurant, featuring a warm dose of southern hospitality and delta cuisine on Monday night. After dinner, we will head downstairs from the restaurant to the original BB King’s Blues Club and enjoy some live music. Tuesday night, we will host a cocktail hour at the local distillery Old Dominick early in the evening before you head out to dinner on your own with friends and colleagues. We hope you find time to experience other Memphis traditions, such as viewing the ducks at the Peabody Hotel, chowing down on some ribs at the Rendezvous, or visiting the National Civil Rights Museum, all of which are convenient to the conference hotel. And Elvis’s Graceland is a 15-minute taxi ride away.

Registration Information

Early conference registration ends Thursday, August 31st so don’t delay! The registration fee increases on September 1st. You have the option of paying by credit card or check. The registration fees are outlined below.

Registration Fees:

  • Government Member = $550 ($600 after August 31st)
    STATE TRAVEL BAN or FINANCIAL HARDSHIP? Contact Pam Frantz for details about the new NCSLA Conference Subsidy Program.
  • Associate Member = $775 ($850 after August 31st)
  • Non-member Associate (one time dues waiver) = $975
  • Invitee of NCSLA President or Conference Host = $775 ($850 after August 31st)
  • NCSLA Past President = Fee Waived (NCSLA Bylaws Article I, Section 2)
  • NCSLA Past President Spouse = Fee Waived
  • Spouse/Guest (Social Events Only) = $450 ($500 after August 31st)
  • Spouse/Guest (Monday President’s Banquet Only) = $200 ($250 after August 31st)
  • Guest 3 – 20 Years Old (Social Events Only) = $200 ($250 after August 31st)
  • Guest 2 Years Old and Under = Fee Waived

If you are paying by check* please make it payable and mail to "National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, 543 Long Hill Road, Gurnee, IL 60031" along with a copy of your registration.

*Please note that payment by check is not available after September 8, 2023.*

CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations are subject to a $200.00 deduction per person. Due to contractual commitments there will be NO REFUNDS AFTER SEPTEMBER 8, 2023. NCSLA Federal Tax ID Number: 52-6043243.

ATTIRE: Attire for all scheduled business and social functions is business casual. The average high/low temperatures in Memphis are 85°/66° F, so be sure to pack for warm weather!

SPECIAL NEEDS: Individuals with disabilities or special dietary requirements who need specific accommodations should email Conference Planner, Erin Dillard at erin.dillard@conferencedirect.com to make arrangements. Requests should be made no later than Friday, September 1, 2023 to allow sufficient time for us to meet your needs.

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION: The cost of one (1) 6 ft. skirted table for two (2) consecutive conference days is $500 per table. If you would like to purchase exhibit space please complete the Exhibitor section on the registration form. Exhibitor is responsible for all charges and making arrangements with the hotel. Once exhibitor has registered and paid the fee, Erin Dillard will provide additional exhibitor information.

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LOOK WHO'S COMING!

Name Organization Title
Thomas Akras Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission Director, Legal and Legislative Division
Tevieca Andrews Louisiana Office of Alcohol & Tobacco Control Attorney
Sean Atkins Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Legal Assistant
Tabatha Blackwell Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Assistant Director
Ebony Connor Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Rodrigo Diaz Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Chief Counsel
Samantha Dotson Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Commission Counsel
Dakota Frenz County of Hawaii - Liquor Control Deputy Corporation Counsel
Marisha Gonzalez NCSLA Program Associate - Jaffe Management
James Graziano New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC Director
John Hamilton Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Commission Member
Cassie Isenhower-Coon Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Digital & Social Media Manager
Kirstin Krueger New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Deputy Director
Ernest Legier Louisiana Office of Alcohol & Tobacco Control Commissioner
Kellie Lovan Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Licensing Director
Will Lukela Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Agency Director
Perry Mathis South Carolina Department of Revenue - Alcohol Beverage Licensing ABL Administrator
Courtenay McCloud SC Department of Revenue - ABL ABL Analyst
Renee C. Metz North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Assistant General Counsel
Kelly Mulvaney New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Chief of Staff
Laurisa Nishimoto County of Hawaii - Liquor Control Liquor Commissioner
Wilfred Okabe County of Hawaii - Liquor Control Liquor Commissioner
Aaron Rummage Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Director of Legislation, Policy and Communication
Gerald Takase County of Hawaii - Liquor Control Director
Russell F. Thomas Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Executive Director
David Tomita Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Commission Member
Nicole Viaches SC Department of Revenue - ABL ABL Analyst
Stacie Waltjen County of Hawaii - Liquor Control Liquor Licensing Officer
Jennifer Wilkinson County of Hawaii - Liquor Control Liquor Commissioner
Maggie Woods Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Malt Beverage Administrator
Eric Anderson InfoLawGroup LLP Partner
Michael Arton Blue Cloud Distribution, Inc. Legal Director
Randy Barnhart Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits VP Governmental Relations Eastern Region & Canada
Janelle Beasley Belcher Sykes Harrington PLLC Paralegal
Terri Beirne Wine Institute Eastern Counsel
Nicholas Bergman Buchman Law Firm, LLP Partner
Donovan Borvan Webster Law Partners Partner
Philip Boykin Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association President & CEO
Michael Brewer Alcoholic Beverage Consulting Service President
Clayton Byrd Amazon Services LLC Senior Manager, Public Policy
Alex Castle Old Dominick Distillery Master Distiller / SVP
Cynthia Chandler-Snell Federal Express Corporation Staff Director - Legal, Regulatory Affairs
Will Cheek Adams and Reese, LLP Partner
Heath Clark Tennessee Distilling Group Attorney and Special Projects Manager
Mary Clarke Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc. Assistant General Counsel
Derek Correia ReserveBar President
Alicia Cronbach Cronbach Law Group PC Principal
Joseph Cruz Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Consultant
Danielle DAlessandro goPuff Corporate Affairs Principal
Fred Damuth The Greentree Group
Andy Deloney Distilled Spirits Council Of The United States (DISCUS) Vice President, State Public Policy
Danielle Elks Elks Law Attorney
Susan Evans GrayRobinson, P.A. Consultant
Eric Evans Adams and Reese, LLP Special Counsel
Lucy Farber St. George Spirits, Inc. Operations Manager
Courtney Felts Federal Express Corporation Lead Counsel
Rich Foge Tennessee Malt Beverage Association President
Pamela Frantz NCSLA Executive Director
Kimberly Frost Martin, Frost & Hill, P.C. Shareholder
Melanie A. Full E. & J. Gallo Winery Associate General Counsel
Emily Gant Foster Garvey PC Principal
Steve Gross Wine Institute Vice President, State Relations
Brian Haara Fultz Maddox Dickens PLC Attorney
Curtis Harrington Belcher Sykes Harrington PLLC Attorney
John Harris GrayRobinson, P.A. Government Consultant
Katie Hatfield E. & J. Gallo Winery Manager Corporate Compliance
Ryan Haynes Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee Executive Director
Jake Hegeman Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, Inc. General Counsel
Tom Henry Flaherty and O'Hara, P.C. Partner
Henry Hildebrand Belcher Sykes Harrington PLLC General Counsel
Erica Hutchins Barnes Beverage Group Compliance Analyst
Anne M. Junia Powell Junia P.C. Partner
Erin Kelleher Hinman & Carmichael LLP Partner
Kaitlynd Kruger Flaherty and O'Hara, P.C. Partner
Elizabeth Kruis HOB Entertainment, LLC SVP Legal Affairs
Geralyn Lasher Wine Institute Director, Great Lakes States
Andrew Levy Provi Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Randy Liebowitz Blue Cloud Distribution, Inc. Chief Legal Officer
Hunter Limbaugh Wine Institute Southeastern Counsel
Ryan Malkin Malkin Law, P.A. Principal Attorney
Rochelle Marte MolsonCoors Senior Director, State Government Affairs
Carol Martel Wine Institute Northeastern Counsel
Michael Martinez Greenspoon Marder LLP Senior Counsel
Ryan Mercurio Belcher Sykes Harrington PLLC Attorney
Laura Miller Uber Eats Director of Public Policy & Communications
Jo Moak Winebow, Inc. General Counsel
Jennifer Niesen Christopoulos Law Group, LLC Associate Attorney
Caroline OConnell Caroline O'Connell Law, LLC Attorney
Wendy Parker Empire Distributors Director, Legal
Pam Paziotopoulos Reyes Beverage Group Director, ABC Compliance
Jeff Pennington Pennington Distilling Co. Owner
Thomas R. Philpot GrayRobinson, P.A. Shareholder
Rob Pinson Adams and Reese, LLP Partner and Alcohol and Hospitality Team Leader
Paul E. Pisano National Beer Wholesalers Association Sr. Vice President Industry Affairs & General Counsel
Harlan Powell Powell Junia P.C. Partner
Leor Reef goPuff Government Affairs Principal
Bethany Richey Webster Law Partners
Deborah Ringo Diageo North America Director, Regulatory & Technical Affairs
Tyler Rudd Wine Institute Central States Counsel
Erik Schaeffer Fintech Manager, Regulatory Affairs
Nim Siriwardana Metacask CTO and Co-Founder of Metacask
Charles Smarr Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. Attorney
Clark Smith Vela Wood P.C. Partner
Nancy Staff Greenspoon Marder
Alan R. Steen Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits VP, Government Affairs
Lorraine Terry JobsOhio Beverage System Senior Managing Director
Chris Thomas Barnes Beverage Group Senior Counsel
Wendy Turk Fintech Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
Lynn Walding Diageo North America Executive Director, Control States
Laura Wentling Ready Training Online Government Affairs Manager
Mary Beth Williams Williams Compliance and Consulting Group, LLC President
Ginna Winfree Burrell Gullett, Sanford, Robinson, and Martin Partner
Terri Yardis Blue Cloud Distribution, Inc. Legal Manager
 
 

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