HVEDC Food & Beverage Alliance Beer, Wine & Spirit Summit a Major Success

GROWTH OF INDUSTRY FOCUS OF  HVEDC'S HUDSON VALLEY BEER, WINE & SPIRITS SUMMIT   Event draws more than 200 people within industry from throughout Hudson Valley   NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (October 31, 2013) - The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC) today hosted several state officials and economic development leaders at the first Hudson Valley Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit, the largest event of its kind held in the Hudson Valley.   The event, held at The Culinary Institute of America, attracted more than 200 people in the Hudson Valley working within the beer, wine and spirits industry.   "Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation was extremely proud to put together its first-ever Hudson Valley Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit," said Laurence P. Gottlieb, president and CEO of HVEDC. "This event brought together tremendous thought leaders at the state level as well as many of the members of our very own Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. Those members were able to discuss very real growth opportunities and challenges that they are currently facing in this industry and they now have many answers to help them continue to expand and grow."   The Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance brings organizations within the food and beverage industries together, helping area businesses forge strong partnerships. Founded by Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC), the alliance provides access to economic guidance and marketing resources to businesses throughout the region.   HVEDC hosted speakers who led discussions on exploring business-to-business needs, accessing capital, the latest information on state liquor regulations, expanding beverage trails, building the hops and cider business, promoting through the Taste NY initiative, industry development with the state's new One-Stop Shop program and an update on the local wine industry.   "Over the past several years, we have seen some incredible growth in our region's beer, wine, spirits and hard cider industry, but this year's bumper crop is particularly special," Gottlieb said. "The Hudson Valley - while always a great location for breweries, distilleries, vineyards and apple orchards - is rapidly escalating into a hub for producing high-quality beverage products, not only for consumption in New York State, but nationwide as well.   "While most of this growth is due to the innovations taking place at each of these businesses, there is also a lot they can gain from working with others," Gottlieb said. "I look at it as similar to the fermentation process used when brewing beer. The foundation of a good brew is rooted in the barley and hops, but adding a little accelerant to the batch helps to speed up the process. HVEDC believes connecting these companies with local growers serves as that accelerant, and the more ingredients breweries, distilleries and wineries purchase from farmers and manufacturers here in the Hudson Valley, the greater impact it has on our broader economy.   Since taking office, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has worked to further support and develop the beverage industry, which is a major driver of job creation and economic development in communities across the state.  In particular, under the governor's leadership, upstate farms and agribusiness have become key contributors in the industry's growth.  In addition to hosting the state's first-ever Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit, where he announced plans for a new marketing campaign to promote state-produced wine, beer, cider and spirits sales and tourism, as well as a series of regulatory reforms that will significantly reduce business costs for beverage producers, the governor has introduced several new initiatives such as Taste NY to help improve the marketing of New York State products.  The governor's innovative policy changes, including New York's Farm Brewery license and Farm Cideries bill, are also helping to grow and expand this critical industry in New York State.   "Thanks to the governor's leadership, and events like the state's Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit, the beverage industry has seen a tremendous boost across the state," said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams. "New York State, through the Taste NY initiative, is pleased to co-host local events, such as the HVEDC Beer, Wine & Spirits Summit, to continue this momentum, and explore ways to grow the sector and promote the diversity of the Hudson Valley's beverage companies."   From the speakers:   Frank Giordano III, shareholder, Judelson, Giordano & Siegel, Middletown - "New York State is now home to 90 breweries. The craft beer industry has excelled, even during the economic downturn."   Patrick Hooker, Governor Cuomo's Deputy Secretary for Food and Agriculture - "One thing to take away from this event is that we are all working collaboratively as a state government. The only way we will be successful in economic development is if we work together - everyone - and we are under this Administration. Whatever works to move your business we'll do it."   Dennis Rosen, chairman, New York State Liquor Authority - "New York's craft manufacturers, often small family-owned businesses, have experienced an explosion of growth over the past three years under the governor's leadership. We are excited to participate in today's summit to further assist these businesses as they continue to create jobs and environmentally friendly economic development across New York State."   The event was sponsored by Judelson, Giordano & Siegel, CPA, PC; Hudson River Ventures; The Culinary Institute of America; Heineken; Taste NY; Hudson Valley Magazine; Empire Merchants North; and Pamal Broadcasting.    ###