WSWA Access LIVE 2026 Day 1 & 2 Recap: AI, Hemp, and Industry Titans in Vegas

The wine and spirits industry descended on Las Vegas this week, and the energy at Caesars Forum was absolutely electric. WSWA Access LIVE 2026 kicked off Monday, February 2, bringing together the biggest names in distribution, retail, and hospitality for what’s quickly becoming the must-attend event of the year. If you weren’t there, here’s what went down during the first two jam-packed days. Monday: Setting the Stage for What’s Next Registration opened early Monday morning, and by mid-afternoon, the Forum Pre-Function was buzzing. The real action kicked off at 4:15 PM with the Opening General Session: State of the Alcohol Industry: a no-holds-barred look at where the three-tier system stands in 2026. Industry leaders addressed everything from regulatory shifts and consumer behavior changes to the economic headwinds facing distributors and suppliers. The message was clear: adapt or get left behind. With category blurring, non-alc growth, and emerging products like intoxicating hemp on the horizon, the traditional playbook is being rewritten in real time. By 6:00 PM, attendees poured into the Main Stage for Celebrate LIVE, the official opening night reception. Think high-energy networking, premium pours, and the kind of handshakes that turn into deals. It was the perfect warm-up for … The post WSWA Access LIVE 2026 Day 1 & 2 Recap: AI, Hemp, and Industry Titans in Vegas appeared first on Food & Beverage Magazine.