Why Join the Ohio Distillers Guild?
The Ohio Distillers Guild was established in 2012. Due to the hard work of a handful of Ohio distilleries, the Guild built bridges with the media and government officials to promote Ohio products, reduce regulations, and pass pro-business laws. As the Guild evolves, we are looking for new members to join our trade association and eventually take on leadership roles. We believe there’s strength in numbers and welcome diverse opinions within our association.
Advocacy
Chances are, while you’re running your distillery, you don’t have the time or resources to advocate for business-friendly state regulations. Since the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League started in Ohio, our state has had some of the most restrictive liquor laws in the US. Joining our trade association gives your company a larger platform to make sure Ohio Lawmakers are aware and are working to improve craft distillery regulations and remove laws that are hurting your business. Advocating for better distillery laws will not only help your company compete with the local competition, but it will also help you foster growth and innovation in your business. The end result is that your company will have a level playing field to compete with craft distilleries throughout the US and the world.
Networking
The Ohio Distillers Guild offers valuable industry networking opportunities. Each year our trade association coordinates a series of events with government regulators such as the Ohio Department of Commerce, the Division of Liquor Control, and JobsOhio. These events give you the opportunity to attend group and individual meetings to address your regulatory concerns. Furthermore, we arrange networking events with industry leaders to share their experiences and best practices. This is all in an effort to learn from their mistakes and successes and become an industry leader yourself, thereby building your reputation and your business.
Resources
The Ohio Distillers Guild offers one place to get updates on regulations, legislation, politics, upcoming events, distillery media, professional development materials, and the latest industry research. The Guild sorts through all the statehouse legislative activity, liquor control regulations, news articles, and trade publications and brings you the most relevant information to help you make educated business decisions. This allows you to stay up to date on important industry news, while simultaneously allowing you to focus your time and energy on your business.
Membership Levels
Producers
Full Members ($500.00 annually)
Reserved for independent distilleries already manufacturing spirits under an Ohio A3A permit.
Non-Producer Brand ($500.00 annually)
Brands that do not hold their own Ohio manufacturing permit. These brands must be based in Ohio. If a brand is not yet selling a product, an Associate membership (below) may temporarily be more appropriate.
This level has certain restrictions
-Non-Producer Brands do not have voting rights within the Guild
-May not hold positions on Committees, the Board, or Leadership positions
-Application must be voted on by current Guild members for acceptance
However, just like a full member, they may
-Attend meetings, education sessions, etc.
-Participate in Guild events, festivals, conferences, etc.
Associate Members ($250.00 annually)
Companies that are in the planning stages of opening their distillery. This is a great option if you want to learn more about the Ohio distilling environment.
Allied Members
Our suppliers and industry supporters, without whom we could not be successful.
ALLIED BASIC MEMBER ($500 annually)
Benefits:
Listing on our website
$500 optional add-on for a display table at our annual conference
ALLIED PLUS MEMBER ($1250 annually)
Benefits:
Listing on our website
Your logo on our festival banners
2 tickets to each festival we host (retail value approx. $40/ticket)
Display Table at the annual conference included (no additional charge)
ALLIED ELITE MEMBER ($2000 annually)
Benefits:
Large-format listing on our website, above all others
Your logo on our festival banners
4 tickets to each festival we host (retail value approx. $40/ticket)
Display Table at the annual conference included (no additional charge)
Opportunity to give a 20-minute presentation at the annual conference