Take a tour of The Essex Resort

Check-in: 4:00 PM ET
Check-out: 11:00 AM ET

Conference Room Rates:

Group Rate: $269/night plus taxes and fees for single/double occupancy.
Government Rate: $202/night plus taxes and fees for single/double occupancy. Must have valid government ID at check-in.

Group Reservation Websites – make your hotel reservation online! Last day to book group rate is Friday, October 11, 2024.

Associate members & Invitees: Group Reservations

Government members: Government Reservations

Group Reservations by Phone – Call 1-800-727-4295 and mention the “NCSLA Northern-Southern Regional Conference” to book your reservation.

Reservation extensions may be available before and after the conference on an individual basis, subject to hotel room and rate availability. If you would like to extend your hotel room pre or post conference dates, please email reservations@essexresort.com to check availability and rate.

NCSLA Special Amenities:

$25 off 50-minute or 80-minute Spa treatments! Book a treatment at 802-764-1452

Amenity Fee Waived (a $29 value per room night)!

• Newspaper (at the Lobby Cafe)
• Wireless Internet Access (basic) in all Guestrooms, Public Areas, and Function Rooms
• Morning coffee/tea (at the Lobby Cafe)
• Hotel Shuttle Service (additional charges may apply)
• Use of Fitness Center
• Access to Hotel wet areas (indoor lap pool, outdoor pool [seasonal], outdoor hot tub, sauna, and steam)
• Use of Spa at The Essex relaxation lounges
• Printer station
• Complimentary Parking
• Sport equipment rentals
• Bake shop samples (fresh daily at 11 AM)
• Evening refreshments (at the Front Desk Cafe)
• Demonstrations (based on hotel occupancy)
• Access to Indian Brook Reservoir (seasonal)
• The Links at Lang Farm vouchers (seasonal)

Public Transportation:

Airline Travel
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport(BTV) is located approximately 15-20 minutes (8 miles) from The Essex Resort & Spa and is serviced by major airlines. Please visit the website for more information.

Questions? Contact:

Conference Hosts:
Wendy Knight, Commissioner
wendy.knight@vermont.gov, 802-636-7188
 
Melissa Heath, Executive Assistant
melissa.heath@vermont.gov, 802-461-7827

Conference Planner:
Erin Dillard at 202-717-2150 or erin.dillard@conferencedirect.com

2024 NORTHERN/SOUTHERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Essex, Vermont

Conference Information

Essex is located in The Champlain Valley, the eastern side of Lake Champlain, the country’s sixth largest lake with a storied military (and bootlegger!) history. Six miles west is Burlington, which offers spectacular views of New York State Adirondack mountains, beautiful sunsets, a waterfront park for strolling and biking, and a car-free cobblestone Church Street downtown with culinary and culture experiences.

Business Meeting

The theme of the 2024 North-South Regional Conference in Vermont is “Innovating with Integrity.” This theme highlights both the evolving landscape of alcohol regulation and the importance of maintaining responsible oversight. The panel presentations emphasize the balance between embracing innovation and ensuring compliance and safety in the industry.

Featured panel presentations include a discussion of often grey areas of interstate shipping of alcohol and online alcohol sales, how to best manage competing priorities of stakeholders, and the licensing of unique service models like food trucks and entertainment districts. We’ll explore cultural considerations in branding and marketing of alcohol beverage, and the opportunities and challenges from BIPOC-owned brands. We’ll do a deep dive in two emerging trends — Artificial Intelligence and the intersection of Hemp, Cannabis, and Alcohol.

Finally, we will close the program with a regulatory roundtable discussion to share challenges and opportunities ahead. To view the entire business agenda and partial list of alcohol beverage experts serving as presenters, just click on the links below.

Business Agenda | Agenda at a Glance | Presenter Biographies

Social Activities

We’ll have plenty of time to socialize and network during the conference. Sunday night’s hospitality reception features a tasting from Vermont’s distilled spirits manufacturers. On Monday, there is an optional tour and tasting at Black Flannel Distillery and Brewery located in the Essex Experience, followed by a free evening to explore. We’ll close out the conference with the President’s Banquet which takes place on the Champlain Valley Dinner Train, a three-hour, round-trip dinner train from Burlington to Vergennes.

A short walk from the Essex Resort & Spa is the Essex Experience, a collection of Vermont-owned businesses that offer entertainment, wellness, dining, and drinking options.

Hello Burlington is an excellent source for what to do and see during your stay in Burlington and surrounding communities. For people interested in an extended stay in Vermont, visit Vermont Vacation to learn where to venture outside the Champlain Valley and what not to miss during your late fall extended trip.

Photo provided by State of Vermont

Registration Information

Early conference registration ends Friday, October 4^th so don’t delay! The registration fee increases on October 5th.

You have the option of paying by credit card or check. The registration fees are outlined below.

• Government Member = $550 ($600 after October 4^th)
  STATE TRAVEL BAN or FINANCIAL HARDSHIP? Contact Pam Frantz for details or complete the NCSLA Subsidy Conference program application.
• Associate Member = $775 ($850 after October 4^th)
• Non-member Associate (one time dues waiver) = $1000
• Government Invitee of NCSLA President or Conference Host = $550 ($600 after October 4^th)
• Invitee of NCSLA President or Conference Host = $775 ($850 after October 4^th)
• NCSLA Past President = Fee Waived (NCSLA Bylaws Article I, Section 2)
• NCSLA Past President Spouse = Fee Waived
• Spouse/Guest = $450 ($500 after October 4^th)
• Spouse/Guest (Tuesday President’s Banquet Only) = $275 ($325 after October 4^th)
• Guest Under 21 (Tuesday President’s Banquet Only) = $175 ($225 after October 4^th)
• Guest 2 Years Old and Under = Fee Waived

If you are paying by check* please make it payable and mail to "National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, 543 Long Hill Road, Gurnee, IL 60031" along with a copy of your registration.

*Please note that payment by check is not available after October 15, 2024.*

CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations are subject to a $200.00 deduction per person. Due to contractual commitments there will be NO REFUNDS AFTER OCTOBER 15, 2024. NCSLA Federal Tax ID Number: 52-6043243.

ATTIRE: Attire for all scheduled business and social functions is casual or business casual. Optional “Gilded Age” themed attire is welcome for Dinner Train banquet. The average high/low temperatures in Essex and Burlington are 57° / 40°F. Snow is not uncommon in late October, nor is unseasonably hot weather, so be sure to pack layers and check the weather forecast before arrival.

SPECIAL NEEDS: Please indicate any special needs on the registration form.

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION: The cost of one (1) 6 ft. or 8 ft. skirted table for two (2) consecutive conference days is $500 per table. If you would like to purchase exhibit space please complete the Exhibitor section on the registration form. Exhibitor is responsible for all charges and making arrangements with the hotel. Once exhibitor has registered and paid the fee, Erin Dillard will provide additional exhibitor information.