Resolute in Action

ILLINOIS BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION CO-HOSTS ANNUAL “BUSINESS DAY” IN SPRINGFIELD

First In-Person Gathering of Members and Policy Makers Since the Beginning of the Pandemic

The Illinois Beverage Association (IBA) co-hosted its annual Springfield “Business Day” with the Illinois Manufacturers Association and Illinois Retail Merchants Association on March 30, 2022. Business Day provides a unique opportunity to hear from leading policy makers in Illinois state government, including bipartisan leaders from either chamber.  This year’s event was the first “in person” gathering since 2019, as both the 2020 and 2021 events were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resolute Public Affairs manages and represents the IBA, and Executive Vice President Rob Nash serves as its Executive Director. The IBA is the state’s leading advocate of the non-alcoholic beverage industry, a powerful network of businesses who make and sell the most popular, innovative non-alcoholic beverages of every type in the world, strengthening the Illinois economy through job creation and tax revenue, championing environmental sustainability and building community through partnerships and contributions.

Business Day began with IBA Executive Director Rob Nash providing our members with a legislative overview, conducting an in-depth and informative analysis of key legislative and policy issues pertinent to the organization.

This was followed by a legislative speaker’s program that included remarks by the Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin and Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, allowing IBA members the opportunity to hear firsthand perspectives on key issues facing the state from these important elected officials.

The day’s activities concluded with meeting individual lawmakers in the House and Senate and with committee chairpersons and key legislators who had member facilities within their district. This direct lawmaker engagement provided an opportunity for many elected officials to learn firsthand the important role IBA members play in the state’s economy.

This year’s Business Day offered IBA members the unique opportunity to directly engage leading policy makers and elected officials throughout Illinois to communicate the critical economic benefits our member provides the state, including:

• $9.5 billion in direct economic impact
• $1.1 billion in wages and benefits
• $1.4 billion contributed in federal taxes
• $893.5 million contributed in state taxes