California Beer Distributor Holds Contest to Select First-Time Legislative Conference Attendee

For the second year, Peter Heimark, president of both Heimark Distributing Co. and Triangle Distributing Co. in California, held a one-page essay contest for employees of the companies who were interested in attending the 2012 NBWA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Employees were asked to explain why they felt they were a good candidate to represent the companies and what they could share with their legislators.

“I believe it is important to bring frontline employees to the Legislative Conference so that our members of Congress can hear from a perspective other than that of the business owner,” said Heimark. “Frontline employees make our message very real and very approachable, especially when dealing with different political viewpoints.”

This year, Ramiro Duran, a sales representative for Triangle Distributing, was selected to attend. Duran has been employed with Triangle Distributing for 11 years and this was his first trip to the nation’s capital.

“Duran’s excitement was contagious and he made the trip for all of us such an enjoyable experience. It’s great to see D.C. through the eyes of someone who is experiencing the city and all its history and energy for the first time,” said Susan Sanzone, corporate social responsibility director for Triangle Distributing Co.

During his time in Washington, D.C., Duran was able to take part in visits to six congressional offices. In the meetings, he stressed the importance of the three-tier system of alcohol regulation as well as Triangle’s various responsibility programs.

“We have a responsibility to the future of our industry to keep ourselves informed of legislation in order for our industry to grow,” said Duran on the importance of attending the Legislative Conference.

As an integral part of his children’s school community, Duran felt personally compelled to visit his members of Congress while in Washington, D.C. He currently serves as the president of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at St. Linus Catholic School in Norwalk, California, which his children attend. “My duties as PTO President include being the eyes, ears and voice of our parents,” said Duran. “This amazing opportunity gives me a chance to inform St. Linus parents what our elected officials and Triangle Distributing are doing to better the community.”

Duran was among the nearly 700 beer distributors, including 100 first-time attendees, who attended the Legislative Conference in March. Distributors were encouraged to bring employees from their businesses who have never attended the Conference – such as a stand-out sales representative or warehouse employee – so they could tell their member of Congress about the solid jobs, wages and benefits that beer distributors offer from coast to coast. The Conference provided a great opportunity for distributors to hear from industry leaders and to educate members of Congress about the importance of effective state-based alcohol regulation and the vital role of beer distributors.

The Legislative Conference also celebrated the 130,000 hardworking men and women who are the faces of the beer distribution industry. These faces of the industry, like Duran, ensure that the greatest choice, variety and selection of beer is delivered safely and efficiently to store shelves and bar taps across the country.

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