Welcome to Sharing Solutions!
Why mocktails? “People are becoming more health-conscious and want to know exactly what they are consuming,” Hawkins said. “Working with NHLC and Brown-Forman is a great example of how a more inclusive drinking culture can be embraced, and that it is perfectly acceptable to take a break from imbibing without giving up the experience of a bar setting or hosting a gathering at home.”
More than two dozen restaurants featured specially crafted alcohol-free drinks or mocktails on menus that week, building excitement for the event. Participants were encouraged to snap pictures and post them on social media tagging @themocktailproject and @nhliquorwine and hashtag #shareamocktail.
Mocktail Week is a continuation of the NHLC and Brown-Forman’s “Live Free & Host Responsibly” program which began five years ago. The award-winning collaboration has received praise for its creative approach to promoting responsible consumption with consumers, licensees, and business partners.
“We have a responsibility to our consumers to encourage safe and responsible consumption of alcohol,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “As our state celebrated Distiller’s Week, we wanted to be just as welcoming to those who either can’t imbibe, make the personal choice not to consume alcohol, or want to take a break from imbibing. Offering well-crafted, alcohol-free options is growing in popularity and we are proud to partner with Brown-Forman and The Mocktail Project to promote positive attitudes toward alcohol consumption.”
Plans are already coming together for 2020, although the format may change due to health and safety precautions related to COVID-19.
For more information visitwww.liquorandwineoutlets.com/responsibility
For more information about this program contact:
E.J. Powers, 603.644.3200 extension 11,epowers@montagnecom.com
The Virginia ABC Authority shares its plan with NABCA control jurisdiction members.
Communications Plan. This issue of Sharing Solutions gets into more detail about the Crisis Communications Plan and the need for having a comprehensive one on hand should an unfortunate circumstance occur. Additionally, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has agreed to share its entire Crisis Communications Plan with our control jurisdiction members.
In two words, a crisis plan helps with reputation management. In addition to an organization, an individual has a reputation to manage. In exploring personal thoughts and feelings, consider what comes to mind when you see Facebook or Harvey Weinstein? The most common examples demonstrating the need for having a crisis plan in education institutions even today, are Three Mile Island (an example of what not to do) and Tylenol, which recovered from its crisis within a year. Consider even the reputation of your agency.
It is critical to keep an organization operating using COOP protocols and at the same time dedicate staff, outline processes, and designate resources so the organization can maintain its reputation. By having and implementing a Crisis Communications Plan, it helps to reduce misinformation, encourage effective communication, and increase message timeliness.
Putting together a comprehensive plan takes a lot of time and support from leaders in an organization. Virginia ABC’s plan has been in the works for five years. Public Relations Manager Dawn Eischen took on the task of revising the organization’s plan three years ago when she joined Virginia ABC. She had previously used her crisis communications skills as a public information officer for the American Red Cross, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Virginia Department of Transportation. According to Nick Schimick, director of communications for Virginia ABC, the plan became meaningful to senior leadership who understood the dangerous gap of not having a formal crisis plan.
With the Authority sharing its end product, the detailed plan includes examples of realistic and possible crisis scenarios, the critical staff needed to help take care of a crisis, the steps to be taken in developing messages, the forms to complete, and many other requirements for an organization to manage its reputation well.
NABCA appreciates the Virginia ABC Authority for allowing this entire document to be shared.
DISCLAIMER: Please note the Authority granted permission to circulate this plan with the NABCA board, the six advisory committees, and NABCA staff. The document is not for distribution outside of this group. Thank you.