The Leading Wine and Spirits Event Heads to Dallas in February for Connection, Brand Building and Discovery
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Registration is now open for Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA)’s Access LIVE 2027, the beverage alcohol industry’s premier event for dealmaking, education and connection. The three-day gathering brings wholesalers, suppliers, on- and off-premise retailers, service providers, importers and exporters together to build business, strengthen relationships and discover what’s next.
“Access LIVE comes at a pivotal moment for our industry,” said WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton. “Bringing every tier together in one place – to talk business, showcase brands and dig into data – gives attendees the clearest read on where the industry stands and where it’s headed.”
Access LIVE will be held February 1–4, 2027, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, marking the event’s first return to Dallas in more than four decades.
Register by October 9 to receive early-bird registration rates. To register, click here.
This year’s theme, “Every Connection Leaves Its Mark,” celebrates the relationships that move the beverage alcohol industry forward. Inspired by the craft of a woodcut, the creative direction reflects how each connection adds a line, layer and lasting mark to the bigger picture — a fitting frame for Dallas, a city built on commerce, connection and opportunity.
Across three days of programming, Access LIVE 2027 will organize the industry conversation around the health of the industry, brands and innovation, and wine and industry trends. Day one will examine the business conditions, opportunities and challenges shaping the marketplace. Day two will spotlight the brands, products and ideas driving innovation. Day three will turn to market and data trends shaping the future of beverage alcohol with a spotlight on wine.
The Main Stage will feature keynote speakers, general sessions and award ceremonies, including remarks from industry members, brand owners and special guests, a welcome address from WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton, and an address from WSWA Chair of the Board.
SipSource® analysts will deliver timely data and insights, including the comprehensive State of the Industry report. The session will examine wine and spirits trends, marketplace forces and category-specific data to help industry professionals make informed business decisions.
More focused panel sessions will be on the LIVE Stage located inside the exhibit hall, including the popular Wholesaler Power Hours where leaders from the distribution tier get candid about opportunities, challenges and strategies shaping their business.
Also inside the exhibit hall is HQ Exchange where small, interactive workshops will be held. At The Hub, attendees can learn about menu strategies and drinks at Mixology Workshops, sign-up for product photography by The Apartment Bartender and network.
Before the show’s official start, the Tasting Competition, in partnership with The Tasting Alliance, will take place, giving participating brands a chance to compete for recognition and stand out throughout Access LIVE. The competition will culminate with the Best in Show Tasting, where attendees can experience winning products firsthand on the show floor.
Access LIVE’s Brand Battle returns for its eleventh year, where new and emerging brands compete on stage, pitching their product to a panel of industry experts. Past winners include Gray Whale Gin (2019), Campesino Rum (2022), Sunshine Punch (2023), Quintaliza Tequila (2024), Amante 1530 (2025) and Edmond’s Honor (2026). Brand Battle helped participating brands gain distribution opportunities, media attention and valuable exposure.
With more than 300 booths and 70 suites available for product showcases and business meetings, Access LIVE offers brands multiple ways to connect with decision makers, including sponsorship opportunities that highlight their presence across the event.
To apply for WSWA’s Brand Battle, click here.
To sponsor WSWA’s Access LIVE, click here.
WSWA’s Access LIVE
WSWA’s Access LIVE is the largest U.S. event uniting all tiers of the beverage alcohol industry. Featuring buy-sell engagements, high-level information panels, wine and spirits competition and C-suite-level networking, the event has been a premier destination for beverage alcohol wholesalers, suppliers and retailers since its inception in 1943. To learn more, please visit accesslive.wswa.org or connect with us across our social platforms on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube or follow us at #AccessLIVE27.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christy Moran
Senior Vice President, Communications & Marketing
christy.moran@wswa.org | (202) 669-3293
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SOURCE Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
