Sunday, October 5, 2008
at Jimmy's Conference Center

35E and County Rd E in Vadnais Heights

Mark your calendars for this year's event to be held on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at Jimmy's Conference Center in Vadnais Hts. Check back soon for a complete schedule of events, information on lodging and a downloadable registration form.

The Midwest Expo was held at Jimmy’s Conference Centre in Vadnais Heights on Sunday, September 23, 2007. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the exhibitors listed below, a great time was had by all. From 2 PM to 5:30 PM, attendees met with exhibitors and learned about their products and services. Some of the highlights were the DyKuyper and Starbuck's cordials at the Future Brands display along with Bacardi Mojitos and Vanille Royale at the Bacardi display. Brown-Forman had their MN sales team along with their complete lineup of brands. DIAGEO had the all new Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and Bailey's Flavors. Precision Pours had an increased presence this year with their measured pours and their new Drinkin' Mate hangover remedy.

Not to be outdone, the beer companies brought out many new products for attendees to sample. Anheuser-Busch had new offerings from Michelob as well as imports from Grolsch and Tiger. Miller had the new Miller Chill and also sponsored the big screen TV so all attendees could watch the Sunday NFL games. Pabst rolled out the re-launch of Schlitz, Sam Adams brought all their specialty beers, Gluek had Stite and Stite Light in glass bottles. Schell's brought their portfolio of beers including Grain Belt. Summit had their complete lineup as well. Heineken USA came with Heineken, Light and Dos Equis. Crown Imports rounded out the list of beer suppliers with Corona, Tsingtoa, St Pauli Girl, Modelo and Pacifico.

Wine distributors E & J Gallo, Specialty Wines & Beverages, Vinocopia and WJ Deutsch & Sons brought many of their wines for attendees to sample. Many non-beverage companies exhibited at this year's Expo including point-of-sales companies like Clever Computing, North Country Business Products, Retail Data Systems and Retail Information Technology Enterprises. There were several insurance companies like Kim L Brown, Inc., Illinois Casualty and Wells Fargo Insurance Services who have exciting new programs to help save MLBA members on their liquor liability. ATM Network, 3-Diamond Corp., Micro-Matic Dispense Systems and ice companies Arctic Glacier and Ace Ice rounded out an impressive list of vendors at this year's Midwest Expo.

After the trade show portion, exhibitors and attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner, sponsored by Future Brands LLC. After dinner each vendor was thanked by MLBA staff and had a chance to speak to the group by way of wireless microphone. You too can thank those that provided display tables shown below (just click on any photo for a full size image and contact information. These are the true supporters of MLBA and it is with their help that MLBA is able to continue to fight wine in grocery, increased alcohol taxes and smoking bans, while pushing for Dram Shop relief. After dinner was the Hospy™ Hall of fame Awards ceremony. Then guests were treated to live music with "The Brass Kings", sponsored by Kahlua.

Hospy™ Award
Jill Mollner (center left)
Skinners Pub, Saint Paul

Package Store of the Year
Mike Pettis
Rapids Warehouse Liquor,
Coon Rapids

Tavern of the Year
Pat Stebe
Dusty's Bar , Minneapolis

Hospy™ Hall of Fame
James "Bubba" Forward
Koscak's Bar, Chisholm

Hospy™ Hall of Fame
Linda & Herby Dahl
Herby's On & Off , Carlos

Friend of the Retailer
Brian Peterson
Carver Moquist O'Connor CPAs , Bloomington

Elected Official of the Year
Sen. David Tomassoni,
Chisholm

Elected Official of the Year
Sen. Debbie Johnson,
Ham Lake

Elected Official of the Year
Rep. Tim Mahoney,
Saint Paul