Help Change California Law!

There's a very interesting law being worked on in Sacramento:

This bill would also permit an out-of-state distilled spirits importer, out-of-state beer manufacturer, beer manufacturer, distilled spirits manufacturer, rectifier, beer and wine importer, distilled spirits importer, beer and wine wholesaler, or distilled spirits wholesaler to provide entertainment, food, and beverages to invited guests, as specified.

The current law limits these activities to local companies. Out of state (or out of country) companies are very limited in the ways that they can provide product for events. Product launches and promotions are very limited by the CA ABC. With this change we would be able to open up the market for sponsored parties and tastings to a much wider base.

We're really limited in the types of events we can hold and the locations we can use. With this change, we could bring product supplied by the brands to the local bar and provide samples. We could increase awareness of tons of different products an increase the tax base as well. The bars love this kind of stuff because it brings in customers for litle to no work for the establishment.

Sounds like a win-win to me.

This also makes it much easier for distillers etc to suport charity benefits.

So join me in wrting your representatives  to encourage passage of AB2293. Feel free to use the form Letter Below:

April 8, 2008  

The Honorable Alberto Torrico

California Assembly Governmental Organization Committee

State Capitol, Room 3160

Sacramento, CA 95814 

Honorable Alberto Torrico, 

I am writing you today to urge you to support Assembly Bill 2293, a sound legislative amendment that will generate new business in California by allowing licensed alcohol suppliers to host product launches and promotional events in our state. This amendment will allow suppliers to provide “entertainment, food and beverages” to consumers 21 and older and in the process generate much needed revenue for local businesses and the state economy.  

The current California Business & Professions Code severely restricts invitation-only promotional events as a means to introduce new alcohol beverage brands. It is contributing to a loss of lucrative business opportunities for California as retailers, restaurateurs, bar owners and hoteliers are forced to host product launches and promotional events in other states. 

California is at a huge disadvantage being one of two states across the country that prohibits hosted consumer product events as business opportunities are driven out of the state. In this time of economic volatility and depressed consumer spending, amending this outdated law and bolstering California’s lucrative entertainment industry becomes even more pertinent.  

Around the world, California is recognized for its outstanding entertainment, food, hotel, wine and hospitality industries. Our state’s wine region is world renowned, competing with products from top vineyards in Italy, France, Spain and beyond. Our hotels, event facilities and restaurants are revered across continents, bringing tourists and publicity to California every day.  

Let’s showcase the work of millions of Californians who have devoted their lives to these home grown industries that we take pride in calling our own. 

We strongly encourage you to support AB 2293. 

Sincerely, 

INSERT NAME 

The full list of members of the Assembly Comittee is on the California Assembly web site