The World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries, Inc. (WAABI) will honor the Wirtz family of the Wirtz Beverage Group with its Annual Unity Award during its 2010 Leadership Conference, June 5-8 in Deadwood, S.D. The Unity Award recognizes leadership and accomplishment that benefits the entire beverage alcohol industry. This marks the first time since the Unity Award was first presented that it will be awarded to three generations of a single family.
The late William Wirtz gave WAABI strong support in Wirtz Beverage Group’s home base of Chicago as well as in other cities where they do business, including Minneapolis and Milwaukee. His son, W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz, now serves as president of Wirtz Corporation and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, as well as chairman of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America. The third generation is Rocky’s son Danny, who serves as vice president of spirits marketing and sales for the Wirtz Beverage Group.
Rocky Wirtz
The conference will be held at the brand-new Lodge at Deadwood. WAABI has chosen this location and time so members can participate in the Sky Ranch Foundation’s 19th Annual Hall of Fame dinner (separate ticket event) to be held at the Lodge on Sunday, June 6. On June 7, all WAABI registrants (and Hall of Fame dinner guests) will be transported about 90 minutes away to Sky Ranch for Boys for special ceremonies marking the Ranch’s 50th Anniversary. See www.skyranchfoundation.org for details.