Virginia Spirits Association Partners with Spirits United Grassroots Platform in Support of Spirits Industry

NEWS RELEASE
 
For Immediate Release:                                                         Contact: Colleen Sague
December 2, 2021                                    202-682-8801 
                           
Virginia Spirits Association Partners with Spirits United Grassroots Platform
 in Support of Spirits Industry
  
WASHINGTON – The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today announced the Virginia Spirits Association is joining Spirits United as a partner member to strengthen the spirits industry through advocacy.
 
“The Virginia Spirits Association will be another critically important state partner for Spirits United as we work to secure cocktails to-go permanency and grow the spirits market in Virginia,” said Chris Swonger, president & CEO of DISCUS and Responsibility.org. “Currently, the distilled spirits industry provides more than 15,700 jobs and $1.4 billion in gross domestic product in Virginia. Together, we will use the Spirits United platform to ensure lawmakers hear our collective voices on legislative issues that matter most to Virginia distillers and industry stakeholders to ensure the continued growth of our sector.”  
 
The Virginia Spirits Association is a nonprofit trade association focused on promoting its member companies who are a mix of small and large businesses who advocate for the responsible use of alcohol, sound state policies, and who generate revenue that benefits all Virginians.
 
“We look forward to teaming with Spirits United and DISCUS on policies that promote a fair and equitable marketplace and serve to modernize our industry here in Virginia.
,” said Don Tierney, Executive Director of Virginia Spirits Association. “Virginia Spirits Association’s member companies supply over 96% of the distilled spirits sold in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  As one of 17 states where the state government manages the sale of distilled spirits at the wholesale and/or retail level—ABC stores are the only retail outlets in Virginia where customers may purchase distilled spirits.  Our member companies and their brands were associated with $445 million in fiscal year 2020 General Fund ABC disbursements.”
 
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