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Women of the Vine & Spirits Launches New Benefits to
Create Pathways for Supplier Diversity and Market Share for Women-Owned Businesses

April 1, 2019 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry, announced today the launch of new Corporate Membership benefits that support women-owned businesses and supplier diversity programs.

Women of the Vine & Spirits is committed to raising awareness for why, where and how to buy women-owned products and services to further women’s economic growth and gender equality on a global scale. The Certified Women Owned Logo and Database is a game-changer for buyers, wholesalers, and consumers to easily identify certified women-owned brands in the alcohol beverage industry.

In the U.S., 71 percent of wine retail purchases are made by women. A study conducted by Walmart, America’s largest retailer, found that 90 percent of female customers in the U.S. would go out of their way to purchase products from women. A recent study by Wine Intelligence and Women of the Vine & Spirits showed that women are more likely to purchase wines made by female winemakers when this fact is consciously point out to them in an explicit way.

“Women control over $20 trillion of annual consumer spending globally and trillions of dollars are spent worldwide annually on diverse suppliers, yet less than one percent goes to women-owned companies,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Certification is key to getting visible. It is our goal to create a movement of support in the three-tier system for women-owned businesses and be the go-to resource in the alcohol beverage industry.”

In time for the launch, Women of the Vine & Spirits is proud to announce that three of their Corporate Members, Opici Family Distributing, GAP Promo and BuzzBallz, LLC, are the first to be approved and take advantage of the new benefits. All three companies will join Women of the Vine & Spirits at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention & Exhibition, April 1 – 3, 2019, in Orlando, FL.

“BuzzBallz, LLC is thrilled to be part of Women of the Vine & Spirits,” said Tracy Frisbie, Vice President of Marketing of Buzzballz, LLC. “We will gain the attention of wholesalers and retailers for our unique brands and nimble capabilities. BuzzBallz has been a registered NWBOC organization since 2015, and WBENC since 2016.  Both organizations have been helpful in growing our business, but having a specific alcohol industry women-owned certification through Women of the Vine & Spirits will assist BuzzBallz to compete with larger suppliers.”

Corporate Members of Women of the Vine & Spirits who are at least 51 percent owned, managed, and controlled by a woman and become certified by WBENC or WEConnect International as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), have the ability to apply for the Women of the Vine & Spirits Certified Women Owned Logo and will be featured in the Certified Women Owned Database.

Who is eligible to use the Women of the Vine & Spirits Certified Women Owned Logo?

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members in good standing with current WBENC or WEConnect International certification; Corporate Members must apply, showing proof of certification, and receive permission, with signed licensing agreement in place (licensing fee waived for 2019 and 2020) to be approved to use the logo. To become a Corporate Member, contact Elizabeth Campbell Boyd at elizabeth@womenofthevine.com.

For more information, visit the Certified Women Owned page at womenofthevine.com and meet Women of the Vine & Spirits in their Lower Level Suite, Cordova 6, at the WSWA Convention, April 1 – 3, 2019.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Brown-Forman; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Platinum Members: Caesars Entertainment; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Pernod Ricard; Shaw Ross; and William Grant & Sons. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include: education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

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CONTACT:

Kyndal Korsgaden   

Kyndal@womenofthevine.com

805-779-0301