Law Seminars International presents the Third Annual Comprehensive Conference on Texas Wine Law, to be hosted in Austin, Texas this October 20th and 21st at the Hilton Austin Hotel. It is recommended that “[a]ttorneys, vineyard operators, grape growers, wine producers and distributors, government regulators involved with the production and distribution of wine, and anyone interested in the winery and wine distribution business” attend this upcoming conference to learn about the legal issues that are continually evolving and challenging the industry. (See Law Seminars International.) The Conference, which is co-chaired by Lou Bright, Esq. of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and Kimberly A. Frost, Esq. of Jack Martin & Associates, brings together experts from Texas and around the United States “to provide the latest information and participate in stimulating discussions on a range of topics of interest to those in the wine and grape growing industry and those who represent them.” (See Law Seminars International.) The Agenda features important topics revolving around wine and law—including federal and state regulations on online advertising and marketing, label requirements and strategies, social media marketing by wineries, TABC labeling, TABC marketing, and TABC tax compliance guidelines—and includes speakers from the most respected law firms and organizations in the alcohol beverage industry. In summary:
Kimberly Frost and Lou Bright, the conference co-chairs, will present a comprehensive report on alcohol issues in the recent Texas legislature as well as ongoing rulemaking initiatives at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the impact of new laws and regulations. Representatives of the Commission and the Department of Agriculture will discuss the latest events, changes and programs at their agencies and in particular, the effect of recent budget reductions. National and state experts will present valuable insights and practical information on national trends affecting wine markets and law; salient topics in federal regulation; Texas water law; the challenges of ethical practice; and state of the art marketing practices. (Id.)
The Co-Chair Statement, as written by Lou Bright, is as follows:
Once again the Annual Texas Wine Law Conference is being held on the banks of the beautiful Colorado River in Austin Texas on October 20–21, 2011. Kimberly Frost, Jack Martin & Associates, and I, conference co-chairs, are pleased to extend this personal invitation to you to join us there. We are so excited about the conference agenda and faculty that we can hardly sit still and we’re sure that you will find this to be the most enjoyable and informative CLE event of the year.
Once again our faculty is composed of recognized leaders in our industry and regulatory agencies on both the state and national level. In practical and interactive sessions they will address the current hot topics such as:
- National developments and trends in litigation and legislation,
- Recent events and operational practices at the TABC and The Texas Department of Agriculture;
- An in depth look at what the Texas Legislature left in their wake after the 2011 session including the state of Texas water law
- The latest in marketing media
- Check out the complete agenda
So pack up your bags, your questions and your experiences and come hear from our faculty and engage with them and the attendees in two days of discussion about our industry’s storied past, its dynamic present and its challenging future. Be sure not to miss the Thursday evening wine reception!
Lou Bright, Esq. of Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association
Additionally, the Law Seminars International poses the following topics will be the core of the Conference:
- Which three-tier system are you talking about?
- State regulatory update
- Creative approaches to production: custom crush vs. alternating proprietorship
- What’s in a label?
- Update on significant national developments with potential implications for marketing Texas wines
- New and social media marketing by wineries
- Enforcement: Labeling, marketing, and tax compliance guidance
- Texas Water Law developments of importance to vineyards and wineries
- Texas Department of Agriculture programs impacting the Texas wine industry
- ADA lawsuits that swept over California’s wineries and how to avoid such litigation
- Ethics for lawyers practicing before the TABC
On Reserve is delighted to announce a special discount for its readers: $100 off a full-priced tuition with the registrar. Simply call Law Seminars at 1-800-854-8009 and ask for the Registrar, Dale, to use this discount, and mention the On Reserve Discount when you register. “Regular tuition for this program is $995 with a group rate of $745 each for two or more registrants from the same firm. For government employees, we offer a special rate of $665. For students and people in their job for less than a year, our rate is $497.50. All rates include admission to all seminar sessions, food and beverages at breaks, and all course materials. Make checks payable to Law Seminars International.” (Id.) For more information, see the brochure for the conference.