Cheers to incoming
NABCA Chair, Kathie Durbin!
“ We’ re always learning from NABCA Board members and NABCA staff.”
Kathie Durbin, Chair of the NABCA Board of Directors
Heaven Hill Brands. Bardstown, KY © 2025 are forever changing.”
It’ s important that control state executives identify these shifting trends. For instance: Lower-ABV and non-alc products seem here to stay, as younger customers increasingly reach for these alternatives.
“ These are no longer just for Dry January,” Durbin says,“ but whenever people want to be more health conscious.”
Along those lines, she is also watching the rise in popularity of organic and additive-free products. This has been particularly noticeable recently in tequila. And in general, she sees a move towards sustainability, not just in production but also in packaging: the choices that brands make in the materials used.
On an even broader scale, uncertainty has crept up again in the U. S. economy. Inflation is down but far from gone, as the Covid−19 hangover continues to persist. Meanwhile, a new administration in the White House means a new set of policy changes, including the threat of alcohol tariffs in a global trade war.
“ The economy is important for all of us,” Durbin says.“ All of us are on this rollercoaster ride together.”
The changeover in the White House has also seen a dramatic, sweeping reduction in the size of the U. S. government. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have already lost their jobs, with the threat of further cuts forever present. Located adjacent Washington D. C., Montogomery County is home to many people that work for the U. S. government, meaning that staffing cuts could affect the local economy.
Meanwhile, part of the reason behind President Trump’ s tariffs is his goal of moving more manufacturing back into America. Altogether, the result is a time of transition an unease in the U. S. economy. How this affects the alcohol industry is much on Durbin’ s mind.
“ We need to understand what kind of premium products people will still spend money on,” she says.“ What size are
16 StateWays • Summer 2025 www. stateways. com