ABL & Charmer-Sunbelt Encourage Social Responsibility

Bethesda, MD, March 27, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Following their participation in the recent American Beverage Licensees Convention, The Charmer Sunbelt Group has agreed to strengthen its relationship with ABL by sharing resources to jointly encourage social responsibility measures by supporting and promoting public outreach programs.

“ABL is looking forward to working with Charmer Sunbelt to find creative and helpful ways to inform adults and minors about the dangers of abusing alcohol,” said ABL Executive Director Harry Wiles.

Charlie Merinoff, Vice Chairman and CEO of The Charmer Sunbelt Group, gave a keynote speech at the ABL Convention that focused on how Charmer Sunbelt and the wholesale tier of the alcohol beverage industry is striving to work more with independent retailers. Brian Fischer, Vice President Community Relations for Charmer Sunbelt, echoed Merinoff’s sentiments as his convention seminar addressed responsibility issues and what retailers can do to promote responsibility in their communities. Fischer drew off his experience as a former off-premise retailer to relate to ABL members and their ongoing responsibility efforts and societal problems of alcohol abuse.

ABL and Charmer Sunbelt are both strong proponents of the alcohol beverage industry taking the initiative when it comes to promoting responsibility. ABL continues to promote its “Drink Responsibly. Drive Responsibly.” program, and supports the “We Don’t Serve Teens” program. Charmer Sunbelt’s Community Relations has worked on a variety of responsibility and safety programs for the alcohol beverage industry including “We Don’t Serve Teens” and further partnering with The Century Council to bring alcohol awareness to ESPN 2 and ESPN U by sponsoring and airing responsibility PSAs on The College Smash Mouth Bass Championship. CSG joined industry efforts legislatively to fight underage drinking and repeat high BAC drunk drivers. CSG is the first member of the distribution tier to write and air Public Service Announcements to address responsible alcohol consumption at Home Holiday Parties. CSG continues to reach out for parents to talk to their family about alcohol for Spring Break and Prom.

“We all need to work together to stop underage access and drunk driving,” said Wiles. “ABL and Charmer Sunbelt working together is a great example of teaming up on these issues and one that I hope others will follow.”

For more information, including PSA’s and other material about what you can do to promote responsibility, please contact either ABL at (301) 656-1494 or Charmer Sunbelt at (410) 401-9315.

American Beverage Licensees (ABL)
The nation's largest trade association dedicated to representing the interests of “America's Beer, Wine and Spirits Retailers”, ABL represents nearly 20,000 bars, restaurants, taverns, and package stores. ABL has members in 348 of the 435 Congressional Districts across the nation. For more information about ABL, please visit www.ablusa.org.

Charmer-Sunbelt Group (CSG)
The Charmer-Sunbelt Group is one of the nation's leading distributors of fine wines, spirits, beers, bottled water, and other non-alcoholic products. The Charmer Sunbelt Group operates in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and The District of Columbia.

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