Ohioans could enter the lottery online at all 16 locations , with the understanding that winners must purchase the bottle at the store where they won . In total , OHLQ received more than 97,000 entries .
The success of both lotteries was attributed to distribution and execution efficiencies , partnership with suppliers , ongoing communication and collaboration with stores .
“ The select store bottle lottery provided an opportunity for us to work with our stores directly to develop a system to ensure Ohioans of legal drinking age have an equal opportunity to purchase these limited-supply , rare bottles ,” says Canepa . “ OHLQ works extremely hard to create a desirable marketplace for these rare and premium products , and it is our mission to distribute them in an equal and fair way so that more consumers can enjoy them .”
Ohio Liquor Control
Best Licensee Education Program
The Ohio Division of Liquor Control received a second Best Practices Award in 2022 , for Best Licensee Education Program . OHLQ captured this category with its OHLQ Academy . This is a free education series designed to provide store employees at OHLQ locations with selling tools to educate customers on products and encourage exploration .
Program events were hosted virtually by product brand representatives and experts . Each event covered a range of information , including the history of the brand , how the product is
by Kyle Swartz made , a focused product sampling and a question and answer session .
Participating retail stores received a tasting kit , at no cost , to follow along with the sampling portion of the event . From April 2021 to March 2022 , OHLQ Academy hosted 11 events , highlighting popular products , from whiskey to vodka to Scotch . Each event corresponded with upcoming seasons and holidays .
More than 230 retail store team members — representing 161 unique stores — attended these events . Vendor and broker partners who took part in this program included : Brown-Forman Corp ; Coastal-Pacific Wine & Spirits ; Diageo ; Heaven Hill Dist . Inc .; Heidelberg Distributing Company ; Pernod Ricard USA LLC ; Proximo Spirits Inc ; Remy Cointreau USA ; Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits ; Watershed Distillery ; Nolet ’ s Spirits ; William Grant and Sons ; and Campari .
“ The OHLQ Academy is a unique opportunity for OHLQ locations and suppliers alike , as it educates those that sell high-proof spirituous liquor about unique brands and products to encourage our customers to shop the shelf ,” says Jim Canepa , Superintendent of the Ohio Division of Liquor .
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