2024 BEST PRACTICE AWARDS
PIONEERING EXCELLENCE IN CONTROL STATES
Ohio Liquor Named 2024 Best Practices Winner by MELISSA SHERWIN
In a year marked by extraordinary achievements , Ohio Liquor ( OHLQ ) has emerged as a trailblazer in control state practices , clinching the prestigious StateWays Overall Best Practices Award for 2024 . This accolade is a testament to OHLQ ’ s innovative spirit , dedication to education and compliance , and transformative impact on economic development .
“ I could not be more proud of this extraordinary honor ,” says Jackie DeGenova , superintendent of the Ohio Division of Liquor Control ( DOLC ). “ This is a clear result of our unique partnership and the team that dedicates so much time and effort to its success .”
OHLQ is a unique public / private partnership between the Ohio Department of Commerce ’ s DOLC and the JobsOhio Beverage System ( JOBS ). It ensures the safe and equitable distribution of high-proof liquor across Ohio , and the profits from the sale of high-proof liquor in Ohio fund job creation and bring new capital investment to the state . Together these entities are known as the retail brand , Ohio Liquor ( OHLQ ). The commitment to safe and equitable distribution is not just
about business — it ’ s also rooted in a culture of responsible consumption and innovation in customer engagement . DOLC selects , prices and manages the sale of liquor in Ohio . JOBS supplies these products to OHLQ stores and keeps the profits from high-proof liquor sales statewide . All 479 privately owned OHLQ stores — also known as Contract Liquor Agencies — sell high-proof liquor on consignment through OHLQ .
From groundbreaking partnerships to cutting-edge technology , OHLQ ’ s remarkable initiatives have not only set a new standard for control states but have also redefined what it means to excel in this field . Below , we dive into the dynamic strategies and key initiatives that have propelled OHLQ to the forefront of industry excellence .
INNOVATING DISTRIBUTION STRATEGIES
Starting in May 2023 , the OHLQ ’ s Whiskey Gold Rush set a new benchmark in consumer engagement with the first-ofits-kind bottle lottery .
Customers were invited to enter for a chance to purchase
12 StateWays • Fall 2024 www . stateways . com