On Premise March/April 2016

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN

March/April 2016 tlw.org

Fairway Fever Tee it up Fore the TLW TLW 81st Annual Spring Conference

Also in this issue: Gain Marketing Advantages with the New TLW App Learn How Members are Crafting League Leader Building Blocks The Latest ABL News from Washington

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The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin March/APril 2016 Volume 34, No. 2

features

THERE’s AN APP FOR THAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The TLW’s New and Improved App Is Ready for Service

STRENGTH IN RESPONSIBILITY. . . . . . . . . . . 16 Leader Building Blocks Are Bringing Structure to Local Tavern Leagues

SPRING CONFERENCE

81ST ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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The Plaza Hotel & Conference Center April 4-7, 2016 • Schedule of Events • Keynote Speaker & Seminars • Hotel Information & Registration Form • Entertainment & Host League • Tradeshow Exhibitor List • Auction Form

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS LEAGUE PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Vilas County Tavern League

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Bauer’s Dam Resort

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

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Vilas County Snowmobile Clubs

MEET THE DIRECTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Russ Fisher

Departments President’s Perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Front Rail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ABL Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Corporate Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Legislative Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Featured Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Accounting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Affiliate Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Ask the Bartender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Local League Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Socialize with us:

www.tlw.org

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President’s Perspective ANOTHER MEMBER STEPS UP TO THE PLATE!

M

arch is here, which means our annual Spring Conference is just around the corner and warmer weather can’t be too far away. I hope you’ve enjoyed a busy first few months of the year and that 2016 will be one of your most profitable ever!

For those who may have missed it, Sue Bonte Lee, who represented Bobcat’s Bar & Grill in Hudson, resigned as the TLW Secretary last fall. She definitely will be missed by those of us who served with her. I would personally like to thank Sue for her great work and the dedication she brought to the job. Like many who serve this organization, Sue’s business many times was put on the back burner while she attended to important TLW matters. For that, I’d like to extend our appreciation as well. Sue, you will be greatly missed by many!

Thank you for all your years of service to the Tavern League of Wisconsin.

Due to Sue’s resignation, the full board voted at the TLW Fall Convention last October to fill her remaining term until qualifying nominations are taken and an election is held. Erin Farrar, president of the Greater Northwoods Tavern League was sworn in as Tavern League of Wisconsin State Secretary.

In 2000, Erin purchased Around the Corner Pub in Mercer. For those of you unfamiliar with Mercer, it’s a small town in Iron County, less than 25 miles from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Known as the “Loon Capital” with over 200 lakes within a 20 mile radius, it’s a popular tourist destination. Since purchasing Around the Corner Pub, Erin has expanded the hours and menu and now serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

In 2001, Erin was elected secretary of the Greater Northwoods Tavern League, holding that position until being elected their president in 2005. In 2008 she was elected to the State Board of Directors representing the 8th District. As a proud supporter of the TLW at both the state and local levels, Erin also continues to be active in many local organizations, including government committees and non-profit agencies.

If you happen to be in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, take a trip to Mercer and stop in at The Around the Corner Pub to meet our new secretary. Chances are she’ll be there like many of our active members who juggle their business responsibilities with TLW commitments. I’d like to thank Erin for continuing to serve this great association, while acknowledging that time spent on TLW business typically means time away from her business.

We are fortunate to have devoted leadership from our members. Whether at the state or local levels, the Tavern League of Wisconsin is sure to continue to prosper.

Terry J. Harvath TLW President

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Corporate Sponsors SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THOSE WHO

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Wisconsin Amusement & Wisconsin Amusement & Inc. Music Operators, Music Operators, Make sure to thank these groups for their support, and encourage others not onInc. the list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call the (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists benefits ofothers the different Remember “Support those interested who support MakeTLW sureoffice and thank these groups for their support, andthe encourage not on categories. the list to participate.

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Any business interested in joining should the TLW office (608-270-8591) oursupport, brochureand thatencourage lists the benefits of the Remember “Support those who support us.” call www.tlw.org March/April 2016us.”On Premise 5 the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support n

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Make no mistake, President Terry Harvath

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Senior Vice President Chris Marsicano

Secretary Erin Farrar

Treasurer Tom Dahlen

Southern Zone Vice Presidents Jim Pickett, Dan Taivalkoski

Eastern Zone Vice President Gene Loose

Central Zone Vice Presidents Lori Frommgen, Robert “Bubba” Sprenger

Northern Zone Vice Presidents Nancy Lorbetske, Rob Summerfield

Editor Pete Madland, Executive Director, Tavern League of Wisconsin

Associate editor Barb Howell, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

a little + a little + a little = a lot!

Art Director Kayla Collins, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

Graphic Design Jerriann Mullen, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

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Contributing Writers John Bodnovich, Jen Bradley, Michelle Eno, Terry Harvath, Barb Howell, Pete Madland, Chris Marsicano, Scott Stenger, Amanda Wegner, Rachel Wisinski

Printed By RR Donnelley Long Prairie, Minnesota On Premise (ISSN #1051-4562) is a bi-monthly publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc., 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713, phone: 800-445-9221.

On Premise is produced by Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc., 400 Broad St., Unit D, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. Gary Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher.

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MADE IN USA

Printing is by RR Donnelley, Long Prairie, MN. For advertising information, contact Louise Andraski, 262-245-1000, louisea@merr.com.

Subscriptions included in TLW membership dues; non-member subscriptions: $15 per year.

Postmaster: send address corrections to the Tavern League of Wisconsin Office, 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI and other additional offices. ©2016 Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication and credit given to author and On Premise.

www.tlw.org

Partners in Progress Major suPPorter of state and LocaL tavern Leagues Tavern League of Wisconsin • Co-sponsor of TLW Legislative Day • Underwriter of TLW Video on Jobs and Employment • Provider of Coin-Operated Games at TLW Conferences & Shows to Benefit TIPAC • Sponsor of the TLW Trip Give-away at TLW Fall Convention & Show • Donor of Large Screen TV at TLW Spring Conference & Show

LocaL Tavern League Programs (saferide, goLf, oThers)

• Contributions and support from individual WAMO members • Matching Funds from WAMO to Tavern League Locals • Contributions to SafeRide Program, Golf and Others • Active Participation and Attendance

WISCOnSIn AMUSEMEnT & MUSIC OPERATORS PO Box 250, Poynette, WI 53955 | T: 608.635.4316 | F: 608.635.4327 | E: wamomax@aol.com A complete list of WAMO members can be found on the web site. Visit us at www.WAMO.net Hosts of the World’s Largest Dart Tournament & the nation’s Largest Pool Tournament

Front Rail SUCCESS STORIES

By Pete Madland, TLW Executive Director

tablishments showed up and were represented at the council hearing. After hearing testimonies from owners and bartenders and being assured that they themselves would self-police member establishments, the author of the Sober Server Ordinance withdrew her proposal. She understood their concerns and that another law was not needed for a non-existent problem. Congratulations to Dave and the Sheboygan County Tavern League.

O

ver the years you have heard us preach about the importance of getting involved. I understand the hesitation in doing so as often we feel helpless when things are happening that we feel we have no control over. Today, I want to share three stories about fellow members who chose to act and get involved. These stories demonstrate that we can make a difference, but only if we choose to.

SHEBOYGAN TRIES TO ENACT SOBER SERVER Last fall I received a call from Dave Repinski. He owns Dave’s Whos Inn in Sheboygan. Although he was a member for several years, Dave was relatively new at his position as president of the Sheboygan County Tavern League.

Their league was fairly typical, membership was steady but active members were few resulting in poorly attended meetings and a few members doing all the work. Sound familiar?

Dave heard a rumor that the City of Sheboygan was going to introduce a “Sober Server” ordinance at the next meeting. He gave me a call looking for some help. Due to a scheduling conflict, I couldn’t get to the council meeting, but I did send Dave some talking points. I followed up with a phone call and Dave and I discussed each point. He then followed through and contacted as many members as possible. Over thirty es-

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A NEW MEMBER TAKES THE LEAD Not long after, another call came concerning the same issue, Sober Servers.

This call was from Brad Richtig, president of Florence County Tavern League.

Brad had only been a member for a little more than a year, and president for a few months and was faced with a proposal from the County Health Department to enact a sober server ordinance that was passed in several other communities. Florence County is our smallest league with 14 members, Brad had his work cut out.

I sent him the same talking points I had sent to Dave in Sheboygan County and suggested he give Dave a call, which he did. Dave went over the talking points that he felt best resonated in Sheboygan. We also questioned the legality of a county having the authority to pass a countywide ordinance like this when it is the individual municipalities that issue liquor licenses. I had an attorney write a letter to address that issue and forwarded it to Brad. We knew that if we could defeat the ordinance in one municipality, a countywide ordinance would not pass.

The town of Aurora voted 3-0 in support of the Sober Server ordinance. The Town of Florence was next to take up the proposal. Brad spoke with his board representatives and contacted the mem-

bers of the Florence County Tavern League. Eight of his fourteen members showed up at the meeting. After hearing testimonies from the Health Department as well as Brad and other members, the board saw no need for such an ordinance and voted it down 4-0! Congratulations to Brad and the Florence County Tavern League.

FEDERAL GRANT WITHDRAWN Dave and Missy Schultz own Porky’s Pub in Mondovi, located in Buffalo County. Missy is the league’s secretary.

The Mondovi Police Department applied for and received a $9,600 federal grant for their “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. This campaign put extra officers on patrol and was highly publicized each time extra patrols were on duty.

Dave said his business was down 75 percent on those nights. He called his councilman and an emergency meeting was called. Dave and other tavern owners showed up to tell of the impact on their businesses, but they were not alone. Other business owners showed up, including those running gas stations and restaurants. All said people stopped coming to town on those nights and their businesses were also being negatively impacted. After listening to the concerns of the business community, the council voted 4-3 to retract the grant and stop the campaign! I have never heard of that happening anywhere. Congratulations to Dave and Missy and the Mondovi members.

These stories are about tavern owners just like you. They saw a problem and made a decision to get involved and fight to protect their businesses. They succeeded. You see, good things can happen when you choose to get involved. TLW www.tlw.org

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ABL Update – The Latest Industry News From Washington

By ABL Executive Director John Bodnovich

PROs even though their intent is to use only the works licensed by a single PRO.” ABL continues to meet with members of Congress and their staff to educate and share with them the impact of music licensing fees and collection practices on beverage licensees.

ABL WEIGHS IN WITH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ON MUSIC LICENSING On November 20, ABL submitted comments to the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DOJ) concerning “PRO Licensing of Jointly Owned Works” as part of the DOJ’s ongoing review of the consent decrees governing the performing rights organizations (PROs): American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI).

ABL’s comments were focused on DOJ questions surrounding split licensing. ABL reiterated its members’ understanding that the licenses ASCAP and BMI sell to users provide them with the right to play all the works in each organization’s respective repertoire.

The comments provided ABL with another opportunity to share with the DOJ the broader concerns of its members when it comes to music licensing. ABL pointed out that “beverage licensees have long complained of a culture of intimidation perpetuated by PRO representatives who engage in aggressive collection tactics; and a lack of practical recourse for small business owners with limited financial resources to dispute demands.”

“Beverage licensees are also aware of the well-publicized history of litigiousness of PROs, making it unsurprising that some beverage licensees may be unjustly compelled to obtain licenses from multiple

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CONGRESSIONAL HOSPITALITY CAUCUS GROWS Since its creation in June 2015, the Congressional Hospitality Caucus has steadily been adding members who recognize the importance and role of the hospitality industry in the American economy. ABL thanks those members of Congress who have joined the caucus and will be urging other legislators to join in 2016. Current caucus members from Wisconsin include Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Hayward) and Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah).

NTSB RENEWS CALL FOR .05 PERCENT BAC LAWS On January 13, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its call for states to adopt .05 BAC (or lower) laws.

As the NTSB states in its report, “we know that impairment begins before a person’s BAC reaches 0.08 percent, the current legal limit in the United States. In fact, by the time it reaches that level, the risk of a fatal crash has more than doubled. That is why states should lower BAC levels to 0.05 — or even lower.”

The report also acknowledges that “impaired driving does not just involve alcohol.

Drugs can also affect the ability to drive or operate any vehicle. NTSB investigations have found substance impairment as a cause or a contributing factor in numerous transportation accidents in recent years — and not just on the highway.”

These recommendations are similar to

those introduced by the NTSB in 2013. A move to .05 percent BAC has been opposed by public safety groups including Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Governors Highway Safety Association. No states have passed .05 percent BAC legislation to date and the beverage alcohol industry, in a letter to Congress in 2014, opposed a move to .05 percent BAC.

TRANSPORTATION BILL INCLUDES LIMITED IMPAIRED DRIVING POLICY CHANGES In early December, Congress passed and the President signed into law Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) (H.R. 22), a five-year surface transportation authorization bill that extends policy through 2020. The legislation marks the first time that Congress has funded a transportation plan for longer than two years since 2005.

On the impaired driving policy front, it adds 24/7 sobriety program incentive language for 3 percent of federal highway safety funds for states that pass 24/7 sobriety laws. While this does not put the program on par with incentive policy for ignition interlock programs (15 percent funding eligibility), it does signal that Congress recognizes that there are effective policy tools to address drunk driving other than ignition interlock programs. There are no new ignition interlock mandates included in the bill.

Despite concerns raised about duplicative funding, the bill also includes funds for the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) research funding. ABL has not supported additional federal expenditures on DADSS research with the belief that private sector research and development is already well-funded and underway.

Also included in the multi-year highway bill passed in December is language that will www.tlw.org

help define clear standards and establish assessment protocols for law enforcement to use when fighting marijuana-impaired driving. The FAST Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study on marijuana-impaired driving and to assess methods and devices that measure marijuana impairment in motor vehicle operators.

on providing items of value either directly through payments or through indirect inducements such as mandated arrangements with third party data centers owned by the retailer are of immediate concern for our members.”

SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (DCT): “And let me ask furthermore, in terms of retail penetration, can you commit that there will be no effort to penetrate the retail market?”

UPDATED U.S. DIETARY GUIDELINES INCLUDE ALCOHOL

END DRUNK DRIVING ACT INTRODUCED

New recommendations were released in January by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that include moderate alcohol consumption as part of a healthy adult diet. The guidelines recommend that alcohol be limited to one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men.

One drink is specifically defined as 12 fluid ounces of regular beer (five percent alcohol), 5 fluid ounces of wine (12 percent alcohol), or 1.5 fluid ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits (40 percent alcohol).

CARLOS BRITO (CEO, AB-InBev): “No -- well, what we’ve done in terms of retail market, and I thank you for the question. The three-tier system in the U.S. is regulated at the state level. So 50 different states, 50 different sets of regulations.

In early January, Rep. Kathleen Rice (DNY) introduced the End Drunk Driving Act of 2016 (H.R. 4373). Rep. Rice’s bill incorporates language from past drunk driving legislation, such as the D-DROP Act, but also goes further than past standalone drunk driving bills. The bill would mandate that states adopt all-offender ignition interlock laws or lose federal highway funding; increase funding of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) program by $55 million over the next five years; and require that within 10 years, all new cars sold in the U.S. have ignition interlock equipment installed.

GovTrack.us gives the bill a four percent chance of getting past committee and a two percent chance of being enacted.

ABL SIGNS-ON TO INDUSTRY LETTER SEEKING CLARIFICATION ON CATEGORY MANAGEMENT On December 7, ABL joined other leading beverage alcohol industry trade associations in a letter to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, urging the Treasury Department to clarify the rules of trade practices, generally, and category management, specifically.

(The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is under the Treasury Department.) Joining ABL in the letter were the Brewers Association, National Association of Beverage Importers; National Beer Wholesalers Association; Presidents’ Forum of the Distilled Spirits Industry; and WineAmerica. The Beer Institute, Distilled Spirits Council of U.S., Wine Institute and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America sent individual letters on the same topic.

“We are specifically requesting clarification of TTB’s category management guidance and enforcement of the Act’s various trade practice provisions such as the tied house, commercial bribery and exclusive outlet prohibitions. Moreover, prohibitions www.tlw.org

SENATE HOLDS HEARING ON AB-INBEV/SABMILLER MERGER On December 8, ABL staff attended a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights examining the proposed $107 billion merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller.

Small brewers, led by the Brewers Association, cautioned that the AB-InBev/SABMiller merger would give AB-InBev increased market power; limit or remove current paths to market for small brewers; and called for AB-InBev to divest the wholesale branch operations it currently has in 11 states. Beer wholesalers, led by the National Beer Wholesalers Association, expressed their concerns about consolidation and the termination of distribution agreements.

For its part, AB-InBev, represented at the hearing by CEO Carlos Brito, emphasized that the merger was not really about the American market and that little would change. When pressed on expanding branch distributor ownership, Brito claimed AB-InBev ownership of branch distributors would top out at 11-12 percent of the volume of their U.S. beer sales. (According to Brito, branch distributors currently control 7-8 percent.)

So in some states, for example in 15 states, brewers can own wholesalers. In the others, we can’t. In other states, we can own brew pubs. In some others we cannot. So we comply with the law. We’ve been only wholesalers for more than 100 years, and let me tell you why we do this.

The beauty of this is that if you own a couple of wholesalers, and again it’s seven percent to eight percent of our volume and it’s going to be around 10 percent. That’s our commitment. You’re able to develop people within the company, our colleagues that understand the distribution system.

They understand the second tier, and therefore are able to talk to wholesalers on an equal basis, because they face the realities that our wholesalers face on a daily basis.

So that’s the reason why we’ve been in this business for 100 years, because it provided us the knowledge about being closer to the market and being able to talk and understand wholesalers in a much better way.” TLW The American Beverage Licensees is the voice of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers in Washington, D.C. The ABL represents the Tavern League of Wisconsin and its many members as well as thousands of other on- and off-premise retailers of beverage alcohol across the United States.

There was one exchange in the hearing that dealt directly with retailers: March/April 2016

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There’s

an App For That The Tavern League’s new and improved app is ready for service

By Amanda N. Wegner

C

hances are if you own a cell phone, it’s a smartphone. As of April 2015, according to a Pew Institute Report, nearly two-thirds of Americans were smartphone owners, and undoubtedly, that number has risen since then. And for many, these devices have become a necessity in life on a personal and professional level.

Like it or not, the digital age is upon us. And so is a new Tavern League of Wisconsin app. “This is the future,” says Pete Madland, Tavern League of Wisconsin executive director. “If you want to promote your business and stay with the times, this is the tool to help do that.”

BUILDING A BETTER APP Launched in November, the Tavern League app is a new, improved version of the original, explains Terry Harvath, Tavern League of Wisconsin president and owner of Appleton’s Wishing Well Restaurant and Bar. “The first TLW app was developed for a minimal price and was pretty basic,” explains Harvath.

“Our members utilized it, but it became limited. The inspiration for the new one was to take it to the next level, to provide more value for our members and to get our customers and the general public more acquainted with Tavern League establishments, while making sure there was something in it for them – a real reason to download it.”

“When we started developing the app, we took a different approach, a shift in audience,” says Kretz. “We wanted to create a Tavern League app that customers can use vs. having a Tavern League app that is only useful to members.”

Once the app was about two-thirds complete, SureProgramming pushed it out to a test group for feedback; that feedback was incorporated into the app that was ultimately released on November 1.

HOW IT WORKS “Really, the app brings value to everyone involved,” says Kretz.

For customers, the app provides information on Tavern League member establishments, including their location, menus and specials. For members, the app is fully customizable and fluid, allowing real-time marketing and a way to get information directly into the hands of customers … at no cost.

“This new app,” adds Madland, “is a way to add value to your membership and pursue different avenues so your membership is worth more. Business is tough, so we’re always trying to figure out ways to help you increase your business. While apps are expensive to develop, they present opportunities too; they are great marketing tools and they’re becoming very popular.”

While the final numbers aren’t in yet, according to industry experts, a whopping 180 billion global app downloads are expected in 2016.

The TLW app was developed by Dan Kretz and the team at SureProgramming, which is based in Appleton. Before lines of code were even written, Kretz brainstormed with Tavern League staff and researched existing apps, drawing inspiration from what was already available and combining that with the Tavern League’s goals. www.tlw.org

The TLW app’s straightforward screens provide options for each business. LEFT: At the top of the screen, a Kaukauna bar called Plan B is shown with options underneath for more information, including phone number and address, a map showing its location, menu, upcoming events and more. RIGHT: When selecting “Specials” for Plan B, a screen showing $2 Tuesdays for specific drinks is displayed.

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Customers, Kretz explains, can search for Tavern League establishments through the app or, for customers who have geolocation (basically the smartphone’s GPS) activated, the app will bring up Tavern League establishments near them. “As you move, it’ll change location with you,” says Kretz. “If I’m in downtown Appleton and there are six bars in a block, it will change as I move about.”

For customers who enable notifications, whether that’s via email, text or “push notifications,” those pop-up messages that show up on your smartphone, the app will send out offers and specials for the establishments that a customer has designated as favorites.

“Say I’m slow on a Wednesday or Thursday evening, I can do a push notification to those who have selected my place as a favorite. I can offer some kind of special, like ‘Show this offer to get a $2.50 Jack and Coke,’” explains Harvath. “That’s instant marketing. The customer is getting a deal and I’m getting some business I might not have had otherwise. Years

“For members, our goal was to make the app user-friendly and fully customizable. You can use the features that work best for you; you’re not locked into using everything. It’s all tailored to how much time you want to put in it.”

Terry Harvath, TLW President ago, we would wait for people to come into our businesses. Now, with this free tool, we can draw them in.”

everything,” says Harvath. “It’s all tailored to how much time you want to put in it.”

The app also has a rewards feature to build loyalty and drive repeat business.

For instance, a TLW member could set up a rewards program in the app for his business that rewards a customer with one free lunch for every six purchased.

Adds Kretz: “There is a lot of value to bar owners who want to use the app. If a single business owner or any other developer contacted us for an app like this, it would cost many, many thousands of dollars. Tavern League members are getting a great tool in this app for the price of their membership dues.”

If this isn’t something you want to use the app for, though, you don’t have to.

“For members, our goal was to make it user-friendly and fully customizable.

You can use the features that work best for you; you’re not locked into using

GETTING STARTED When the app is launched, the homepage and contact information for all Tavern League of Wisconsin members is available in its database. If a member never logs into the app, this information will still be available to app users. “You have a presence even if you do nothing,” says Kretz. “That’s a great thing.”

But for those members who want more, it’s time to log in and start customizing the app for your customers, current and future, whether that’s simply adding a logo and uploading a menu or utilizing coupons, rewards and notifications as part of a full-fledged marketing campaign. “That’s where the real power of the app comes in,” says Harvath.

Customizing your establishment’s presence on the app is done through a backend website. SureProgramming has provided YouTube videos for every section of the app. This includes basics such as how to set up your homepage and upload a logo, to more involved changes and features like setting up rewards and how to relocate your business if Google Maps has it in the wrong spot.

The app allows you to search for TLW-member establishments by city or tavern name. The screen at left is showing how to input a city name, in this example, Appleton. The screen at right shows taverns in Appleton.

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“Our No. 1 goal from the start was to make this as simple as possible for Tavern League members,” says Kretz. www.tlw.org

Adds Harvath: “You can do quite a bit in the first 10 to 15 minutes. It doesn’t take long to download and set up.”

Tavern League office staff has also been trained to assist with basic app setup if additional help is needed, says Harvath. And for anyone who’s still on the fence or unsure of their technical skills, don’t let that be a barrier to utilizing this free tool. “We know that not everyone is tech-savvy … some of our members don’t even have email, but everyone has someone, a child, an employee, who can do this for them,” says Harvath. “Have them go in and set it up. This cannot hurt you at all. It can only benefit you and your business.”

NEXT STEPS The app’s initial focus, aside from working out any bugs, was to make sure members were on board and updating information about their businesses, says Harvath. The next step is to make the app readily available to the general public. Some initial promotion-

al tools that are under consideration are posters and Tavern League sticker shields with a QR code that will take customers right to a download when they scan the code. “Hopefully we’ll be ready with all that by the conference in April,” says Harvath.

He also notes that the app will continue to evolve. “There are things that are part of a maintenance plan, but we’ve already got a wish list going as well,” says Harvath. “At this point, the sky’s the limit with the app, and we’re open to suggestions.”

But first, if you haven’t already, download it and start using it. “You’ve been given a great resource and should take advantage of it,” says Kretz. “Just to be part of the Tavern League offers great value, but to build an app like this is a very large endeavor and the Tavern League has done members a great service in providing this.

I can’t think of any other organization that supplies something like this for their members.” TLW

From your favorite appetizer to something to hold your drink, you’re bound to find what you need.

WORDS TO THE WISE Embrace the App “A high percentage of people now look at websites and online content exclusively through mobile devices,” says Kretz. “Mobile apps aren’t a way of the future, they are here, now, so it’s important to embrace technology. Your customers are using mobile and apps, whether you want to or not.”

Keep the App Updated “If you’ve already downloaded the app, make sure you go in and do the updates,” says Harvath. “A number of issues have already been taken care of, but you need to run the updates for these fixes and new features to take effect.”

Don’t Give Up “If you’re frustrated with it,” says Madland, “let us know and we’ll try to work out the problems. Don’t give up on it. We will continue to modify and make it as user friendly as possible.”

SYSCO BARABOO LLC 910 South Boulevard Baraboo, WI 53913

1-800-733-8217 www.tlw.org

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Strength in Responsibility

Leader Building Blocks are Bringing Structure to Local Tavern Leagues

By Rachel Wisinski

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www.tlw.org

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he hard work of one Tavern League within the state has been the impetus for what has become operating guidelines for all TLW leagues and their leaders.

Leaders from Grant/Iowa County Tavern League spent six months and almost 100 hours developing what is now being hailed as the TLW’s League Leader Building Blocks. Grant/Iowa County Tavern League Treasurer Kevin Conley and former President Dan Bowden, in conjunction with current President Dan Timmerman, spearheaded the initiative to create bylaws and outline specific responsibilities for all officers of the league.

What sparked the idea was Timmerman’s election as president of his league in 2012. During his initial tenure, he noticed a lack of continuity and direction, and he states it felt as if he was “walking in fog.”

Timmerman hoped that by easing the transition into officer positions, league members would be less afraid to volunteer to be officers, and the required tasks would be less overwhelming.

“We spend more time training bartenders than we do in leadership for the organization, and that was something that needed to be addressed,” Timmerman says.

With the amount of time the group spent crafting the policies, Timmerman thought other leagues could benefit from their ideas as well, and he brought the guidelines to TLW Executive Director Pete Madland.

“My only goal was making the tavern league stronger, more efficient and a viable association people would want to belong to,” Timmerman says.

“We knew there were problems when I would go to league meetings and they weren’t very well structured,” says Madland. “It was difficult to find people to step up to leadership roles, and a few leagues had ceased to exist. Hopefully our initiative to institute a set of guidelines will help resolve some of the problems.”

INTRODUCING THE CONCEPTS STATEWIDE By 2015’s League Leaders Day meeting, Madland introduced the notion of building blocks or a set of directives to all attendees. A unanimous vote determined all leagues would begin to implement the practices, and Madland encouraged them to evaluate their processes, work on operational strategies and implement the system into their monthly procedures within a year.

As of late January, the league leader building blocks concept, which initially included suggestions and topics to cover in each league’s bylaws has turned into concrete ideas and examples for three leagues in addition to the Grant/Iowa County Tavern League.

Pierce, Polk and Sauk counties have submitted their guidelines to Madland for review. www.tlw.org

“We spend more time training bartenders than we do in leadership for the organization, and that was something that needed to be addressed.”

Dan Timmerman, president grant/iowa county tavern league Pierce County Secretary/Treasurer Sara Erlandson was her league’s only member to attend the 2015 League Leaders Day, and she immediately brought back the task to her fellow board members.

Although Timmerman says it took Conley and Bowden months to mastermind the initiative, it only took Erlandson and the other Pierce County officers about three hours to come up with a well-rounded document.

“It’s honestly something we should have had done a long time ago,” she says. “It surprised me what you forget year to year and month to month as far as what needs to happen next.”

Many of the guidelines cover operating procedures such as best practices for running meetings; when officer elections occur; compensation for league officers; what stipulations make a venue eligible to host the league’s yearly Christmas party; how to operate raffles, golf outings and other fundraisers; the procedures for implementing gift certificates; the process of putting in place internal audits to track expenses and income; and an ongoing emphasis on membership recruitment.

PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE LEADERS “It’s going to be much easier to be in a leadership position because we can review what we have written down,” Erlandson says.

Pierce County Tavern League President Mike Celt says despite 20 years in the league, it’s the first time he has seen this level of organization in the county.

“Anyone who comes in now can follow these guidelines,” Celt says. “You don’t have to be concerned with someone not doing their job correctly.”

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“They will make the local leagues much stronger – transitions will be smoother, leagues will be more stable, and when they’re more stable, our whole state association is stronger.”

Pete Madland, TLW executive director It also helps resolve disputes, he says. Instead of members disagreeing or getting into arguments, the bylaws can easily be used to determine what course of action is best. “I think everyone understands what the Pierce County Tavern League is trying to get out of its members,” Celt says. “Plus the members, I think, know where we stand now if they read the bylaws. It makes everyone’s job easier.”

Erlandson agrees, saying it’s easier to turn down an idea because it doesn’t fit the bylaws.

She says two initiatives the Pierce County league discussed at length included what time meetings would be held and the duties of the host site. “We debated those topics to ensure all points were heard,” she explains.

She says having a document that outlines their league’s operating procedures have brought a few new faces to the crowd, but the league still is hoping to increase its membership and participation by implementing the guidelines. “Now people who want to get involved see they do have the opportunity to run [for office], and if they really want to get involved, they can,” Erlandson says.

Similarly, Pierce County’s host site will be chosen at the October meeting, and the party host must lay out details about food, cost and music at the December meeting before the celebration takes place on a Sunday or Monday in February.

With the building blocks now in place, Timmerman says the bylaws are something that still can be tweaked. “It’s something we can keep improving on and update to meet our needs,” he says.

And the documents don’t just direct officers of the local leagues – they also help delegate responsibility to other members and create a more organized structure for everyone involved.

The Grant/Iowa County initiatives even include a hosting guide, which provides incentives for a business to host the monthly meeting. For every person who attends, the host receives $15, and instead of taking the money from the attendees’ pockets, it comes from the league, funded by an additional fundraiser. Therefore, the more people who attend the meeting, the more money the venue makes.

“That’s an example of how direct we wanted to be with that,” Timmerman says.

Madland agrees that the guidelines help ease the burden on the local league presidents, which is why he encourages all leagues to follow through in creating personalized building blocks.

“They will make the local leagues much stronger – transitions will be smoother, leagues will be more stable, and when they’re more stable, our whole state association is stronger,” Madland says.

ALIGNING RESPONSIBILITIES When Timmerman first started as president of Grant/Iowa County Tavern League, details about the Christmas party were put off and overlooked because he was trying to gain his footing with other responsibilities, and it had slipped his mind. To ensure that doesn’t happen again, the bylaws now dictate a specific timeline for each league’s major events.

For example, applications to host the celebration will be sent out in July, reviewed in August and September, and a host announced in October.

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“The league {Grant/Iowa County] has become a model for others when it comes to an organizational structure and maintaining their bylaws,” Madland says. “They’re really kind of a model I’m trying to get other leagues to look at. They’re well ahead of the curve.” TLW

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Although he knows the biggest challenge is getting people to commit to the assignment, Madland commended the Grant/ Iowa County league for its hard work and dedication to the task.

March/April 2016

www.BandKBarSupplies.com www.tlw.org

Corporate Spotlight Diageo

W

hile Diageo may not be a household name, some of its best known brands are: Guinness, Crown Royal, Captain Morgan, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Tanqueray and Baileys.

As a leading beverage company, Diageo has been a long-time corporate sponsor of the TLW. “We believe strongly that league members are key to our success, and they are very important when legislative issues arise at the state capital,” says Alix Dunn, director of External Communications for Diageo North America, which is based in Norwalk, Connecticut.

A COMPANY THAT CARES With more than 20 offices throughout North America and Canada, Diageo is also a worldwide company, employing more than 30,000 people around the globe.

“We’re a company with really talented people and we’re proud of them,” says Dunn.

“Plus, Diageo is a great company to work for, and has been recognized by magazines and organizations for being so.”

In 2015 alone, Diageo won a number of awards for the company’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, such as: • Top 100 Places to Work Corporate Equality Index – Human Rights Campaign Foundation • Top 50 for Diversity Leadership by Diversity MBA Out Front • Top Companies for Executive Women

by National Association for Female Executives • Top 100 Companies for Working Mothers

Diageo supports, on a corporate and brand level, the SafeRide Program. Dunn says it’s a great initiative that addresses an important issue the company and TLW agree on: getting drunk drivers off the road. The Diageo motto is “Celebrating life every day, everywhere.” She says Diageo is proud to be in the hospitality and celebration business, but also knows it’s a very serious business, and a responsibility to take seriously.

“We have always been a leader in promoting the responsible use of our products,” she adds, and explains that Diageo is a founding member and major supporter of The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, an organization funded by some of the country’s leading distillers committed to developing programs to combat drunk driving and underage drinking.

“We also believe we need to be a really good corporate partner in the communities we live in,” adds Dunn. In 2001, immediately following 9/11, Diageo founded Spirit of the Americas, a disaster relief program which has provided aid around the world. Some recent Spirit of the Americas relief efforts, according to Dunn, include providing high-capacity generators and distributing almost 85,000 bottles of water in the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, and delivering 50,000 pounds of food and emergency supplies to Haiti after the massive earthquake there.

THE TLW CONNECTION

Dunn says that the employees also are committed to community service. “I know the TLW members play a big role in supporting charities in the cities/towns that they serve just like we do in ours,” she adds. “That’s something that we are completely in sync on.”

While Dunn says Diageo and the TLW may not always agree on various issues, “a hallmark of our relationship is that the leaders and members of the TLW are always willing to hear our side on all issues, and we listen to their side as well,” she says. “I think there’s a good sense of respect and willingness to work together and understand each other’s position.”

One of the programs she singles out is the TLW SafeRide Program, which Dunn says is a “model for the rest of the country.”

Diageo is a regular participant in TLW conventions, educating members about who they are and introducing new prod-

www.tlw.org

ucts. Dunn says the company also sponsors the League Leaders Program helping train members to become better leaders in the industry.

“The on premise segment is critically important to us and we’ve made a renewed commitment this year to invest in it,” she says. “We’ve added additional personnel resources who are focused on key accounts, making sure that they have everything that they need.”

When it comes to new products, she says Crown Royal Regal Apple and Captain Morgan Cannon Blast are doing well in this industry. Smirnoff has launched a new marketing campaign and has been investing in electronic dance music which has captured the attention of millennial consumers.

On the beer side, the company has been adding offerings under the Guinness umbrella, such as a Guinness Blonde American Lager and Guinness Nitro IPA which is still new to the market, but Dunn says the signs are very promising that it will be a beer that will do well with TLW members. TLW

DIAGEO North America 333 W. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1050 Chicago, IL 60606 312-279-3400 www.diageo.com www.DrinkiQ.com (A global resource for all interested parties to share programs and tools to fight alcohol misuse and help individuals make responsible choices.)

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TLW 81st Annual

Spring Conference

April 4 - 7, 2016 Plaza Hotel & Conference Center Eau Claire

Fairway Fever Tee It up fore the TLW Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Keynote Speaker & Seminars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Hotel Information & Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Entertainment & Host league. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Tradeshow Exhibitor List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Auction Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

2016 Spring Conference Schedule of Events MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. TLW Board of Directors Meeting – Crystal #1 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Food Service Sanitation Courses & Exam – Four Seasons #2 (Class Registration is open to members and non-members) 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. Board Lunch – Crystal #2 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Registration – Clearwater A 8:00 P.M. to 12 A.M. Eau Claire City/County League Welcome Party Location: The Complexx at Wagner’s Entertainment: Jenny and the Jets

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2016 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – Clearwater A 8:45 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Rules Committee - Four Seasons #1 8:45 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Nomination Committee – Four Seasons #2 9:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. General Session – Crystal Ballroom Color Guard Presents Colors Male Chorus Attendance Drawing Host League Intro – Northern Zone VP Rob Summerfield Opening Ceremony – Eau Claire City/ County Tavern League President Dino Amundson President’s Report – Terry Harvath Secretary’s Report – Erin Farrar Treasurer’s Report – Tom Dahlen Keynote Speaker – Frank Winters, former Green Bay Packer and Packers Hall of Fame Member Executive Director’s Report – Pete Madland President’s Award Attendance Drawing First-Timers Orientation 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Trade Show – Two Rivers Ballroom, Terrace Room & Pool Lounge Bean Bag Tournament Contest for TIPAC 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Silent Auction – Clearwater B & C, next to registration

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12:15 P.M. to 12:45 P.M. Winter Get-Away Presentation by Chambers Travel – Crystal Ballroom 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Seminar – Promotions That Work Presented by: TLW Executive Director Pete Madland Crystal Ballroom 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Seminar – Basics of Estate Planning Presented by: Attorney Peter E. Grosskopf Crystal Ballroom 8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. Cocktail Party & Costume Contest – Crystal Ballroom THEME: Fairway Fever, Tee it up Fore the TLW Costume: Golf Attire Band: Crystal and the Commotion Band, Sponsored by: ASCAP 9:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Live Auction – Crystal Ballroom

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – Clearwater A 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. General Business Meeting – Crystal Ballroom Attendance Drawing ABL Report - Bob Sprenger Legislative Report - Scott Stenger Parade of Candidates Good and Welfare Attendance Drawing 9:00 A.M. to 2:15 P.M. Silent Auction – Clearwater B & C 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Trade Show – Two Rivers Ballroom, Terrace Room & Pool Lounge 11:15 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. Membership Chairperson Meeting – Crystal Ballroom 12:15 P.M. to 12:45 P.M. League Leaders Meeting – Crystal Ballroom

3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. District Caucuses: 3rd District – Four Seasons #1 4th District – Four Seasons #2 5th District – Four Seasons #3 7th District – Four Seasons #4 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. District Caucuses: 1st & 9th District – Four Seasons #1 6th District – Four Seasons #2 2nd District – Four Seasons #3 8th District – Four Seasons #4 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Cocktails with the President, $25 Donation to TIPAC – Crystal Ballroom

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Voting – Delegates Only – Four Seasons #4 9:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. General Business Session – Crystal Ballroom Attendance Drawing CORE Report– Brad Schinke, CORE chairperson Rules Committee Report Swearing in of Officers Nomination Committee Report Parade of Candidates Host League Drawing Raffle Ticket Drawing Trade Show Buyers Drawing Good & Welfare DVD Presentation - Convention Recap President’s Closing Remarks Attendance Drawing Retiring of Colors 12:00 P.M. Eau Claire City/County President’s Reception Dino (Donn) Amundson Lake Hallie Golf LLC 2196 110th St. Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Note: Times and events are subject to change without notice.

2:00 P.M. to 2:45 P.M. Vendors Drawings - Trade Show Area (Attendees must be present to win) 2:45 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Exhibitor Booth Drawing – Trade Show Area (Exhibitor must be present to win)

www.tlw.org

2016 Spring Conference Keynote Speaker

Keynote Address

Frank Winters

Member Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

TUESDAY, 9:15 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. GENERAL SESSION Frank Winters Winters, a Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, anchored the Green Bay Packers offensive line for 11 seasons (1992-2002). He was a steadfast center who played in 156 games, starting 141 during his career.

He blocked for some of the most productive offensive units in team history, including the 1996 championship team that amassed 456 points, the fourth-highest total in Packers history. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2008.

Winters owned and operated his own bar from 2007 to 2013.

2016 Spring Conference Seminars TUESDAY, 1 P.M. – 2 P.M. – CRYSTAL BALLROOM PROMOTIONS THAT WORK

TUESDAY 3 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. – Crystal Ballroom BASICS OF ESTATE PLANNING

Presented by: Pete Madland, TLW executive director and former bar/restaurant owner with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry

Presented by: Attorney Peter E. Grosskopf of the firm Grosskopf Law Office LLC

Is business slow? Are you getting “stale?” Every business could use a little shot in the arm now and then and this seminar could provide just that. Pete will discuss proven promotions that he used during his 20+ years in business. He will also interact with the audience to find out what promotions they have used to help boost sales.

Pete will not be talking about Facebook, websites or other “modern” marketing tools. Instead, he will discuss practical, hands-on promotions that anyone can implement at their places of business, no matter how large or small that business might be.

Pete’s program has been presented at previous Tavern League conferences as well as other state and national conventions.

Come and pick up some new promotional ideas and share yours.

www.tlw.org

Estate planning should be a part of any business plan. Attorney Peter Grosskopf will lead a discussion on estate planning for small business owners. Topics such as limiting personal liability and how to transition your business to the next generation will be discussed.

You’ll learn about probate, what happens to your business and your family if you become disabled, placed in a nursing home or die. Although unpleasant thoughts, all are a possibility and Mr. Grosskopf will help address these issues.

Peter E. Grosskopf is a 1979 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and his solo practice, Grosskopf Law Office LLC is located in Eau Claire.

Grosskopf has more than 30 years of experience in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Probate and Trust Administration. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and Past-Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Wisconsin State Bar.

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2016 Spring Conference Hotel & Registration BUSINESS

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“Fairway Fever, Tee it up Fore the TLW”

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Birch St Madison

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Eau Claire, WI

1202 W. Clairemont Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701 (800) 482-7829 (715) 834-3181

124 53

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Plaza Hotel and Conference Center Plaza Hotel & Conference Center

Chippewa Valley Regional Airport

Hillview Rd

TLW 81st Annual Spring Conference & Trade Show April 4 - 7, 2016

Host Hotel

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2016 Spring Conference Registration Form Name

Spouse/Guest Name

Signature(s)

/

Business Name Mailing Address City/State/Zip Business Phone

Home Phone

Email Address: __________________________________________________

Local League This is my first convention

I am a new Member

I would like to contribute $5.00 of this registration fee to: (please check one only)

Total amount Due $

Tavern Industry Political Action Committee

Check #

Wisconsin Tavern League Foundation

Mastercard

CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees) Member

Visa

American Express

Card #

SafeRide REGISTRATION FEE PER PERSON

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Non-Member

Full Registration……………………………

$50

$70

Postmarked after March 20, 2016

$60

$80

One Day Only………………………………

(Circle one Tuesday/Wednesday)

$30

$35

Expiration Date

Cardholder Name

Signature Cardholder Address City/State/Zip

Please complete and mail this form with payment to: TLW, 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005 24

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2016 Spring Conference Registration Form

www.tlw.org

2016 Spring Conference Entertainment Monday Night Jenny and the Jets Jenny and the Jets is a fun, energetic five-piece music ensemble offering a unique experience with live band karaoke. They have a set list of over 250 songs, so every guest singer will find a tune they’d like to perform. This is how it works: select a song to sing, sign up on the set list and then get on stage!

Jenny has all the lyrics on an iPad and is more than willing to help with pitch, tempo and timing. In addition to singer Jennifer Hazen, the band includes Nick Foytik on guitar; Billy Angell on keyboards; Bentley Harder on bass; and John LeBrun on drums.

Tuesday Night Crystal and The Commotion Crystal and The Commotion is one of the hardest working, high energy groups in Wisconsin. The band features vocalist Crystal Dolivo, along with Peter Phippen, former Airkraft bassist and 2010 Grammy nominated artist, guitarist Scott Milz and drummer Michael Hucek.

The band performs all genres of music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today in all venues from street dances to corporate events to casinos and clubs. If you can’t dance at one of their shows, you can’t dance anywhere.

Your Host League to swing into spring! We look forward to hosting the event and are excited to help “putt” your business on “course.” There are many entertaining and educational events planned for you so register now and don’t forget to book your hotel rooms early. We will be there to greet you at the Monday night party!

Eau Claire City/County Tavern League Spring Conference Committee

Eau Claire City/County tavern League The Eau Claire City/County Tavern League is excited to be your host for the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s 2016 Spring Conference. “Fairway Fever, Tee it up Fore for the TLW” is a great way www.tlw.org

From Left: Paul Johnson, 400 Club and Limo Cab; Dino Amundson, league president and Lake Hallie Golf Club; Judi Malone, Happy Hollow Tavern; Sara Prock, SafeRide coordinator and The Mousetrap Tavern; Lynn McDonough, league vice president and Connell’s Restaurants; Becky Welke, league secretary and Lake Hallie Golf Club; Mark Miller, Complete Insurance Services; and Bill Cunningham, Capitalist Merchant LLC. Missing from photo: Dave Olson, Parkridge; Matt Hansen, Mr. Cab; and Randy Lahr, former league vice president.

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2016 Spring Conference Exhibitor List as of 3/2/16

Affiliated Investment Group Booth # 28 James J. Ropel 234 N. Clark St. Mayville, WI 53050 P: (920) 387-5952 jimropel@charter.net Investment Services & Retirement Plans Anheuser-Busch Inc. Booth # 81, 82 Kevin P. Roth 433 Pine Lawn Parkway Verona, WI 53593 P: (630) 913-2395 P: (773) 203-7751 www.anheuser-busch. com kevin.roth@anheuserbusch.com Assorted Malt Beverages B & K Bar & Restaurant Supplies Booth # 43, 44, 45 Donald Falk 7100 W. Greenfield Ave. West Allis, WI 53214 P: (414) 259-9161 P: (414) 322-1605 cell F: (414) 259-9197 www.bandkbarsupplies. com dfalk50@yahoo.com Bar Stools, Pub Tables, Popcorn Machines, Glassware, Chemicals and All Your Bar Supply Needs Badger Mutual Insurance Company Booth # 17 Melissa Prunty 1635 W. National Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53204 P: (414) 383-1234 F: (414) 383-1535 www.badgermutual.com mprunty@ badgermutual.com Personal and Commercial Insurance Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc. Booth # 9 Mike Mattson 1003 Harlem St. Altoona, WI 54720 P: (715) 834-3191 F: (715) 834-8533 www. benedictrefrigeration. com mmattson@ benedictrefrigeration. com Kitchen, Bar & Restaurant Equipment, Design, Sales & Service

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Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza Booth # 15 Denny Terrance 3027 W. Mason St. Green Bay, WI 54313 P: (920) 883-7851 www.bernatellos.com dennyterrance@yahoo. com Frozen Pre-Made Pizza, Lotzza Motzza Pizza

Dean’s Satellite & Security Booth # 20 Sonya Pennel 2350 Commercial Dr., Ste. 1 Sparta, WI 54656 P: (608) 269-2897 F: (608) 268-5241 www.deansdish.com sonya@deansdish.com Satellite TV & Security

Fruit Fly Bar Pro Booth # 41 Steve Diettrich 7 Connor Ln., Unit 7-G Deer Park, NY 11729 P: (631) 237-1414 F: (631) 392-1974 www.fruitflybarpro.com grace@fruitflybarpro. com Product that Eliminates Fruit Flies

Bromak Sales Inc. Booth # 55 Gary Keller E9770 7th St. Clintonville, WI 54929 P: (715) 823-4429 F: (715) 823-7493 www.broaster.com broaster@bromakinc. com Broaster Company Equipment & Supplies, Broaster Foods

Diageo Booth # 75 Mallory Krueger 926 W. Commercial St. Appleton, WI 54914 P: (414) 335-4568 www.mktg.com mkrueger@mktg.com New Liquor Products, Specific Brands TBD

Gourmet Parlor Pizza Booth # 49 Steve Sauer P.O. Box 245 Royalton, MN 56373 P: (320) 584-5930 www. gourmetparlorpizza.com steve.sauer@ gourmetparlorpizza.com Frozen Pizza

Capitol-Husting Booth # 50 Tom Zacharias 12001 W. Carmen Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53225 P: (414) 243-5438 F: (414) 353-0768 www.capitol-husting. com tom.zacharias@capitolhusting.com Wines & Spirits Complete Office of Wisconsin Booth # 38 Keith Madden P.O. Box 640 Germantown, WI 53022 P: (888) 683-5344 F: (800) 788-9340 www.cowiweb.com kmadden@cowiweb.com Restroom Supplies, Cleaning Supplies, Office Supplies, Break Room Supplies Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc. Booth # 51 Brad Palubiak 1600 S. Main St. Oshkosh, WI 54902 P: (920) 651-8888 F: (920) 651-8889 www.cornerstoneps.net brad@cornerstoneps.net ATM, POS, ECRS, Credit Card Processing and Equipment

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Edge One Inc. Booth # 34 Kris Zahn 161 Business Park Circle Stoughton, WI 53589 P: (608) 873-3311 F: (608) 873-3506 www.edgeone.com kzahn@edgeone.com ATM Sales & Service El Cortez Hotel & Casino Booth # 19 Tim Wojciechowski 600 E. Fremont St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 P: (702) 385-5200 P: (800) 634-6703 www. elcortezhotelcasino.com TWojciechowski@ elcortez.net Hotel & Gaming Emil’s Pizza, Inc. Booth # 18 Sue Kraemer P.O. Box 168 Watertown, WI 53094 P: (920) 262-9756 F: (920) 262-2920 www.emilspizza.com skraemer@emilspizza. com Manufacturer & Sales of Frozen Pizza Foremost Business Systems Booth # 31 Lori Alwin 4834 Park Glen Rd. Minneapolis, MN 55416 P: (952) 920-8449 F: (952) 920-7880 www.foremostpos.com lori@foremostpos.com Aloha POS by NCR Providing Software that Meets the Needs of Any Size Restaurant & Bar

Great Lakes Distillery Booth # 52 Guy Rehorst 616 W. Virginia St. Milwaukee, WI 53204 P: (414) 431-8683 www.greatlakesdistillery. com info@greatlakesdistillery. com Small Batch Distillery in Milwaukee Hand-crafting Award-winning Spirits Greater Insurance Service Corp.

Booth # 48 Heather Heidtke 414 Atlas Ave. Madison, WI 53714 P: (800) 747-4472 F: (608) 221-0484 www.gisconline.com/ tlw/ heatherh@ greaterinsurance.com Life, Health and Personal & Property Insurance Products Hansen Foods LLC Booth # 12 Cindy Egnarski 930 Goddard Way Green Bay, WI 54311 P: (920) 884-7413 P: (800) 236-1022, Ext. 225 F: (920) 468-1474 www.hansenfoods.com cegnarski@hansenfoods. com Frozen Pizza - PepsBrewhaus

Holiday Wholesale Inc. Booth # 23, 24, 25 Dixie Marquardt P.O. Box 177 Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 P: (608) 254-8321 P: (800) 333-8321, ext.102 F: (608) 254-8003 www.holidaywholesale. com dmarquardt@ holidaywholesale.com Candy, Snacks, Foodservice, Disposables, Cleaning Supplies, Novelties, Tobacco Products HSC Business Brokers Booth # 29 Jerry Vlaminck P.O. Box 739 Delano, MN 55328 P: (763) 972-9077 P: (800) 735-3512 F: (763) 972-9080 www.hscbrokers.com info@hscbrokers.com Commercial Real Estate Brokerage in the Hospitality Field Insurance Center Booth # 59 Erika Kamrowski 701 Sand Lake Rd. Onalaska, WI 54650 P: (800) 944-1367 F: (608) 783-1079 www.ticinsurance.com customercare@ ticinsurance.com Insurance, Full Service Agency Kessenich’s Ltd. Booth # 54 Cheri Martin 131 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Madison, WI 53704 P: (608) 249-5391 P: (800) 248-0555 F: (608) 249-1628 www.kessenichs.com cmartin@kessenichs. com Restaurant & Bar Equipment and Supplies

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2016 Spring Conference Exhibitor List as of 3/2/16

Lamers Bus Lines Booth # 22 Erica Dakins 2407 South Point Rd. Green Bay, WI 54313 P: (800) 236-1240, Ext. 10139 P: (800) 236-1240 F: (920) 496-3611 www.golamers.com ericadakins@golamers. com Wisconsin’s Premier School Bus & Motorcoach Company with 33 Locations Statewide Luiges Frozen Pizza Inc. Booth # 56 Carl Schwibinger W3830 Cty. Rd. K Belgium, WI 53004 P: (920) 994-4884 F: (920) 994-4624 luiges@live.com Quality Frozen Pizza Magnuson Industries Inc. Booth # 57 Jason Gough 3005 Kishwaukee St. Rockford, IL 61109 P: (800) 435-2816 F: (815) 229-2978 www.posi-pour.com barsupplydirect@ hotmail.com Posi-Pour Portion Control Pourers & Full Line of Bar Supplies Mass Appeal Specialties Inc. Booth # 1, 2, 3 Thomas G. Wilkinson 2247 Shawano Ave. Green Bay, WI 54303 P: (920) 469-2000 P: (800) 345-5432 F: (920) 469-1111 www.massappealinc.com sales@massappealinc. com 1000s of Advertising Items to Promote Your Business MBE CPAs Booth # 37 Melanie Lindoff 201 8th Ave. Baraboo, WI 53913 P: (608) 356-7733 www.mbecpa.com mlindoff@mbecpa.com Full Service Accounting Firm & Payroll Services

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Meyer Brothers LLC Booth # 42 Bob Meyer P.O. Box 196 St. Nazianz, WI 54232 F: (920) 639-4488 www.themeyerbrothers. com robert.meyer@ themeyerbrothers.com Old Fashioned Cocktail Mix MillerCoors Booth # 21, 26 Paul Lucas P.O. Box 482 Milwaukee, WI 53201 P: (414) 931-3129 F: (414) 931-3183 www.millerbrewing.com plucas@mbco.com Miller Coors Products Modern Cash Register Systems Booth # 6, 7 Tom Jones P.O. Box 574 Neenah, WI 54957 P: (920) 749-8007 F: (920) 749-8011 www.moderncash register.com tom@modern cashregister.com Stand-alone Cash Registers and Point of Sale Systems, Sales, Service, Supplies & Peripherals Nei-Turner Media Group Inc. Booth # 62 Barbara Howell 400 Broad St., Unit D Lake Geneva, WI 53147 P: (262) 245-1000 F: (877) 245-2545 Specializing in Publishing High Quality Print Materials, Visitor Guides, Magazines, Custom Publications POS Partners Booth # 14 Jules Curs 454 Hancock Ave. South Elgin, IL 60177 P: (888) 477-7711, Ext. 3 www.we-are-pos.com solutions@we-are-pos. com Solution Integrator & Future POS Provider of Point-of-Sale, Security and Dining Technology Systems

R & S Marketing Booth # 71 Bob Hayden P. O. Box 620271 Middleton, WI 53562 P: (608) 516-1418 birdmanhayden@yahoo. com Packer/Badger Prints, Tables, Birdfeeders Reinhart Food Service LLC Booth # 33 Mike Merrell 1500 St. James St. La Crosse, WI 54603 P: (608) 386-5050 www.rfsdelivers.com mjmerrell@rfsdelivers. com Broadline FoodService Distributor Safe Harbor Payment Systems Booth # 47 Ross Judnick 4724 Vaux Rd. Duluth, MN 55811 P: (218) 729-9103 www.safeharbor paymentsystems.com rossajudnick@gmail.com POS Systems, ATMs, Credit Card Processing, Mobile Payments & Local Service Sand Creek Brewing Company LLC Booth # 39 Jim Wiesender P.O. Box 187 Black River Falls, WI 54615 P: (715) 284-7553 F: (715) 284-8081 www.sandcreekbrewing. com sales@ sandcreekbrewing.com Brewery: Premium Craft Brewed Lagers & Ales, Frostop Rootbeer Sanimax USA LLC Booth # 13 Andrew Barnaal 545 Hardman Ave. S. South Saint Paul, MN 55075 P: (608) 846-5466, Ext. 1446 P: (800) 765-6453 F: (608) 846-5370 www.sanimax.com john.holmes@sanimax. com Collection & Recycling of Used Cooking Oil, Grease Trap Servicing

Society Insurance/ Disher Insurance Booth # 27 Mike Disher P.O. Box 179 Stevens Point, WI 54481 P: (715) 344-8383 P: (800) 675-5137 Fax: (715) 344-4427 www.disherinsurance.com mike@disherinsurance. com Property & Casualty & Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Star Connection/ LodgeVision Booth # 32 Chad Strampe S2634 County Rd. Bd, Ste. 1 Baraboo, WI 53913-9554 P: (608) 355-2025 F: (608) 234-4302 www.lodgevision.com sales@lodgevision.com Commercial & Residential Satellite TV, Digital Signage, Internet, Phone Superior Vending Booth # 40 Andrew Schmitz 7777 Highway 65 N.E., Ste. 1 Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 P: (763) 784-9446 F: (763) 784-9257 www.supervend.com superiorvending@gmail. com ATM & Amusement Vending/ Bar & Restaurant Taylor Ent. of WI Inc. Booth # 30 Earl Hansen N8108 Maple St. Ixonia, WI 53036 P: (262) 567-7286 P: (800) 242-9510 F: (262) 567-7201 www.taylorwi.net earl.hansen@taylorwi.net Restaurant Equipment, Cocktail/Slush Equipment to Hoodless Fryers

TIPS Program Booth # 53 Trevor Estelle 1400 Key Blvd., Ste., 700 Arlington, VA 22209 P: (800) 438-8477, ext.

357 P: (800) 438-8477 F: (800) 937-8477 www.gettips.com estellet@gettips.com Responsible Beverage Server Training Tri-Mart Corporation Booth # 11 Steve Sundby P.O. Box 308 Menomonie, WI 54751 P: (715) 235-2151 P: (800) 874-6278, Ext. 151 F: (715) 235-1643 www.trimart.com ssundby@trimart.com Wholesale Distributor Tricky Dick & Joyce Specialty Booth # 36, 35 Dick Van Den Heuvel 1315 Doty St. Green Bay, WI 54301 P: (920) 435-8217 Novelties, New Year’s & Pull Tabs TRL Int’l. Mtkg Group/ Global Vending LLC Booth # 10 Thomas R. Laugen P.O. Box 6233 Monona, WI 53590 P: (608) 332-5447 P: (800) 659-5447 F: (608) 825-8862 www.trlimg.com thomaslaugen@trlimg. com Air Purification Systems, Video Gaming, Bottle Crusher Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps Booth # 4 Walter Bohrer 1860 Executive Dr., Ste. E Oconomowoc, WI 53066 P: (414) 217-1731 F: (262) 968-1849 wbohrer@wi.rr.com Promotional Milk-Cap Pulltabs & New & Used Vending Machines for Pulltabs

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2016 Spring Conference Auction

Each year at the Spring Conference, members gather Tuesday evening for the TLW Live Auction.

The TLW Live Auction is one of the larger parties held during the four-day festivities and members have fun bidding, toasting and dancing! In addition to the Tuesday night function, members also have the opportunity to participate in the silent auction that runs Tuesday, Noon to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Silent Auction room will be open from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday if you would like to drop off items.)

In the past, auction items have included travel packages, sports memorabilia, fine clothing, electronics, art and more! Auction Chairperson Judy Vandenhouten helps coordinate the auctions that benefit TIPAC. Donating an item is simple.

1. Please fill out the form below and mail it to: Judy Vandenhouten E2904 County Road J, Kewaunee, WI 54216 Email: houtrvle@gmail.com Cell: 920-493-4329 2. B ring your item to the registration booth upon arrival to the spring conference. •The auction committee decides if the item will go into the live or silent auction. •All items purchased at the auctions must be paid for by personal check, credit card or cash.

Thank you for your contributions!

Auction Item Form

TLW 2016 Spring Conference If your league or members will be bringing auction items to the Spring Conference, please complete the form below and send it to the Auction Chairperson Judy Vandenhouten.

Donor (Individual name and League) Contact Person Phone (business)

(home)

Please describe the item(s) your members will be donating to the TLW auctions.

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Thank you for your participation!

Return this form by March 21, 2016 to Judy Vandenhouten, E2904 County Rd. J, Kewaunee WI 54216 28

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WIRTZ BEVERAGE WISCONSIN IS NOW

BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE WISCONSIN

LEAGUE PROFILE Vilas county tavern league

Vilas

COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

A group of Vilas County Tavern League members gather for a photo after a recent meeting. According to President Dan Swiecichowski, Vilas County hosted its first Tavern League meeting in 1936.

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tourism hub on the Wisconsin-Michigan border, the Vilas County Tavern League has a small but active membership of mom-and-pop bars, resorts, supper clubs, VFWs and more.

“Our county is big, and so is the variety of our members,” says President Daniel Swiecichowski, owner of Sand Lake Pub in Phelps.

Currently at about 54 members, Vilas County, like all county Tavern Leagues, would like to grow its ranks. While they do work to recruit new members, they are especially focused on retaining existing ones.

“Membership is hard; I don’t understand why some places do not want to be a member of the only organization that helps our business,” says Swiecichowski, a Tavern League member for 11 years.

“So, our big thing is our retention. When people are coming to the end of their membership, we try to keep up on that.”

While the league may be small, nearly half the membership is active, attending monthly meetings.

Aside from a member holiday party, the Vilas County Tavern League only hosts one event per year, a fundraiser that supports both the league’s needs and provides support for charitable organizations. Held each year in September or October on a Sunday of a Packers bye-week, the event averages 150 to 180 attendees.

The League sells raffle tickets for the event, which allows two people to attend the fundraiser. It is not open to the public.

The League gives to an array of local charities, from food pantries to the volunteer fire and rescue squads and more. The League also has a scholarship program that provides two or three $1,000 scholarships annually to high school students in the county, preferably to students going into the hospitality field.

According to Swiecichowski’s research, Vilas County hosted its first Tavern League meeting around 1936 in Boulder Junction.

The county has also hosted two state conventions through the years, including one at Gateway Lodge in Land O’Lakes where music legend Lawrence Welk joined the festivities. “I’m not sure of the year, but at one convention, Lawrence Welk was staying at the lodge at the same time,” says Swiecichowski. “The story goes that he got involved with members, dancing and having a good old time at one of the parties.”

He also notes that there was a time in the late 1960s and early ‘70s that the league was strapped for cash, yet it pulled through.

“Some members gave money out of their own pocket to keep the league afloat,” says Swiecichowski. “They knew the value Tavern League brings to the county and local communities, just as much as we do now. The Vilas County Tavern League is about people.

We want to help people, our neighbors, our businesses and communities. People have to help people. That’s what’s unique about our county.” TLW

“The hosting member puts out a big spread of hors d’oeuvres and different foods. Every 20 to 30 minutes throughout the day, we raffle off prizes and have an attendance drawing. Raffles, plus music, food,” says Swiecichowski, “all help keep the day going.”

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Business Spotlight Bauer’s dam resort

Located on Lower Buckatabon Lake, Bauer’s Dam Resort has been family owned and operated since 1946. In addition to a bar, the resort includes four rentals: three cabins and a five-bedroom house.

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he hospitality industry is a family affair for Donna and Glenn Miller, owners of Bauer’s Dam Resort in Conover.

Now in its 60th year as a family-owned business, Bauer’s Dam Resort was established in 1946 by Syl and Alice Bauer, Donna’s grandparents. (Even before that, Donna’s great-grandmother owned a bar at the corner of 13th and Wright streets in Milwaukee in the 1920s.) In 1973, Bob and Jeanne Bauer, Donna’s parents, took over the resort.

“When they [Donna’s parents] bought it back in the ‘70s, it was a beer bar,” says Glenn Miller, who served as Vilas County Tavern League president for 18 years and served on the state board. “Fortunately, through the work of Tavern League, they were able to apply to get a liquor license and turn it from a beer bar to a liquor bar.”

In 1992, Donna and Glenn purchased the resort from Donna’s parents, and they plan to pass it down to their children as well. Kevin and Jesi, the Miller’s son and daughter-in-law, handle day-to-day operations, and their son John does most of the cooking.

“We’re in the fourth generation of owning the resort,” says Miller.

“Everyone pitches in. We’re trying to keep it in the family … that’s the long-range plan.”

Through the generations, the Millers and Bauers have also been longtime dedicated Tavern League members.

The Millers have also established a reputation for their signature special, which hasn’t changed since it was first offered: A cheeseburger, fries and a cup of soup. “It started as a special and stuck,” explains Miller. “It’s something you can always get at Bauer’s.”

The bar’s deck, which overlooks beautiful Lower Buckatabon Lake, is a popular spot for drinks or a sandwich. “In the summer, it’s nice to sit out there and watch the lake,” says Miller.

In addition to the bar, Bauer’s Dam Resort offers four rentals: three cabins and a five-bedroom house. Lower Buckatabon is an excellent fishing lake with walleye, large- and smallmouth bass, northern pike and more. It’s also a class A musky lake.

With snowmobile trails on and near the property, it’s also a destination in the winter. “As long as we’ve got snow on the ground, we’re doing a good business.”

As the business heads to the next generation, dedication to family remains a key asset to Bauer’s Dam Resort. “Just as this is a family-run business, we work hard to make this a family establishment,” says Donna Miller. “Our goal is to make our customers feel like family; that’s something we try for in everything we do.” TLW Bauer’s Dam Resort 3597 E. Buckatabon Road Conover 715-479-4510 www.bauersdam.com

A small bar-restaurant with 18 stools and a handful of tables, Bauer’s Dam Resort is best known for Donna’s cooking, especially her homemade soups and chili. They also offer salads, burgers, pizzas and other standard menu fare. www.tlw.org

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Charity Spotlight Vilas County snowmobile clubs PHELPS SNOWMOBILE CLUB The Phelps Snowmobile Club maintains about 40 miles of trails.“Our club provides well-groomed trails for family fun and safety,” says the club’s Mak Holcomb.

The club provides a monthly newsletter, meetings and websites with valuable snowmobiling information and trail conditions.

It also provides member assistance with state snowmobile trail pass registration.

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n Wisconsin’s Northwoods, supporting snowmobile clubs is vital to an economy that relies on tourism and recreation.

The Vilas County Tavern League understands this and graciously donated $500 each to 12 different snowmobile clubs in the county in 2015.

“Snowmobiling,” says Ed Siergiej of the St. Germain Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club, “has a major economic impact in Vilas County in the winter. Without all the volunteer local clubs supporting the sport, you wouldn’t have all the great resorts, motels, restaurants and taverns to enjoy year-round. Plus, riding on a sled through the beautiful Northwoods is just awesome.”

Here, a few clubs share how they put the Vilas County Tavern League’s donation to work.

ST. GERMAIN BO-BOEN SNOWMOBILE CLUB The St. Germain Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club grooms and maintains approximately 100 miles of trails in the St. Germain area.

Last season’s $500 donation from the Vilas County Tavern League was put into the club’s general fund to help pay the costs for maintaining its grooming equipment, fuel and funds to pay their groomer drivers.

“All monies donated are always a big help with attaining our costs of operating each season,” says Siergiej.

The Vilas County Tavern League’s recent gift was used for ongoing trail maintenance expenses and contributed to the installation of an on-site refueling facility at the club’s groomer storage facility.

“The Vilas County Tavern League’s donation shows the Tavern League’s appreciation for our organization, and for the efforts we make to get customers to your businesses on safe, well-groomed trails as well as providing trail condition information,” says Holcomb.

EAGLE RIVER SNO-EAGLES The Sno-Eagles, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this fall, maintain 100 miles of snowmobile trails in and around Eagle River, the Snowmobile Capital of the World.

Although the Sno-Eagles pay for the drivers who groom the trails nearly every evening in the winter months and any subcontracted trail work, the Sno-Eagles rely on volunteers and donations to maintain their large network of trails, explains Sno-Eagles’ Holly Tomlanovich.

The Tavern League’s donation supported grooming, trail maintenance, and equipment purchase and repair, she adds.

“As Sno-Eagles we are very proud of our contribution to the Eagle River area,” says Tomlanovich. “Tourism is the lifeblood of our area.

We are responsible for providing guests to our area with a worldclass trail system, which brings dollars into the economy.”TLW

VILAS COUNTY SNOWMOBILE CLUBS All clubs listed below benefitted from the generosity of the Vilas County Tavern League’s donations.

Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Cross Country Cruisers Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club Conover Sno-Buddies Eagle River Sno-Eagles Land O Lakes Frosty Club Manitowish Waters Sno-Skeeters

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Phelps Snowmobile Club Presque Isle Sno-Bunnies Sayner Barnstorms St. Germain Bo-Beon Sugar Camp Snowmobile Club Three Lake Northern Lights Snowmobile Club

March/April 2016

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Meet the Director Meet The Director: Russ Fisher In this column we’ll introduce you to a district director of the Tavern League of Wisconsin.

The individual featured is a director representing the league that is highlighted in this issue. For the MarchApril issue, we’d like to introduce you to Russ Fisher, 8th district director.

Q: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, INCLUDING YOUR FAMILY AND THE LOCATION AND TYPE OF BUSINESS YOU OWN. I married my wife Billi in 1994. We have two children: one son Jacob; one daughter Jamie; and two beautiful grandchildren: Cameron, 9 and Hailey, 7. We purchased Fisher’s Resort Bar and Grill on April 1, 2001. The business has a six-unit motel and two cabins which are available for rent year-round. The bar sits within 30 feet of Lake George. We have a full sandwich menu with nightly specials, including a Friday night fish fry and a Saturday steak special. In the summer months we have a beautiful patio for outside dining which provides a breathtaking view of Lake George.

Q: WHAT INTERESTED YOU IN BECOMING A TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBER? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER AND WHAT OFFICES, IF ANY, DID YOU HOLD LOCALLY BEFORE BECOMING 8TH DISTRICT DIRECTOR?

the only organization that fought for my concerns and the welfare of our business.

I have been a TLW member for 15 years and I am currently the president of the Oneida County Tavern League. Before I was president of the League my wife, Billi was the secretary.

of the school year. This also influences how we hire our seasonal employees.

Q: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBERS TODAY?

Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A DISTRICT DIRECTOR?

I believe the most important issues facing Tavern League members today are the OWI bills that keep being introduced every year, the expansion of liquor licenses, and the push of the big chain stores to deteriorate the three-tier system.

Q: ARE THERE SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THE 8TH DISTRICT THAT YOU’D LIKE TO WORK ON? One of the issues we’re working on in the 8th district is music licensing for live music or karaoke and the fees we have to pay BMI or ASCAP to provide this entertainment. We don’t have the population to support the fees you have to pay to make it worth doing.

We’re in the part of the state that is a tourist destination and our business is definitely driven by tourism, so we’re always concerned with the start and end

Another concern is the push to tie an OWI to your driver’s license if you get picked up operating a snowmobile or boat under the influence.

The thing I enjoy most about being a director is going to the other counties in my district and meeting new people. I like to listen to their concerns for their businesses, answer questions they may have, and pass on information that I receive from the state office.

Q: HOW ELSE ARE YOU INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY? I am a member and I also sit on the board of the Lake George Lake Association. I also sit on the board for the Pelican Promotions Committee, which is an organization that promotes Rhinelander area resorts as well as distributes money collected from area resort room taxes. I am a member of the Hodag Sno-Trails snowmobile club, and my wife and I have hosted a major ice golf benefit for the last 12 years to raise funds for the club. We’ve also been members of the Pelican Community Club for 15 years.

TLW

131 S. Fair Oaks Ave Madison, WI 53704 608.249.5391 www.kessenichs.com

I became interested in becoming a Tavern League member when I lived in the Wausau area. My parents owned a bar in Mosinee and my dad, Rod was the local league president and also was a 5th district director. I quickly learned that there were a lot of issues that had a direct effect on our business and the TLW was

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Legislative Notes All Eyes now on fall elections

By Scott Stenger, Stenger Government Relations

T

he state Legislature has concluded its 2015-‘16 legislative session and now the focus turns to the November elections.

2016 LEGISLATIVE RACES In a definition of their dominance, Republicans will be playing defense in both houses on all their targeted seats. There are no legitimate pick up seats for the Republicans in either house this session — because they have picked them all up! Their past success presents some serious challenges in maintaining their historic 6336 majority in the State Assembly and 19-14 edge in the State Senate going into the 2016 election cycle.

It is hard to believe it was only six years ago when Democrats controlled all three branches of state government with Jim Doyle as governor, Speaker Mike Sheridan holding a 5247 majority in the State Assembly, and Majority Leader Russ Decker enjoying an 18-15 edge in the State Senate. In 2010, Republicans flipped all three branches and haven’t looked back.

Democrats did briefly take back control of the State Senate during the summer recall elections of 2012, but that was short lived as they lost the majority in the 2012 fall election.

STATE ASSEMBLY While Assembly Republicans will be working very diligently to hold their 63-36 majority, it is likely they will lose a few of the seats they picked up over the last few years. As an indication

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of which seats will face a challenging electoral map one can highlight the 11 Assembly Republicans who voted against the state budget bill last year.

On paper, 2016 presents challenges for Republicans. However, with a 14 seat cushion their majority is likely not in jeopardy.

While they may lose seats, they are well positioned to return with a strong majority, unless of course something dramatic happens on the top of the ticket and the Democrats find themselves in the right place at the right time.

STATE SENATE The State Senate will not be as volatile as the Assembly with only one competitive Republican seat in play. With a 19-14 majority it is almost certain the Republicans will maintain control of the Senate. The even numbered seats are up in 2016, and the only seat in either party which will be competitive is that of retiring Republican Sen. Rick Gudex. Democrats briefly held the seat with the recall election of Jessica King over former Sen. Randy Hopper in 2011. But for the brief control of Jessica King, the Republicans have had a strong hold on this Fond du Lac area seat since the 1950s.

Other seats the Republicans will have to work to maintain are Sens. Tom Tiffany, Shelia Harsdorf and Terry Moulton. There are no vulnerable Democrats up for re-election this cycle.

U.S. SENATE RACE It’s rematch of the 2016 race for the U.S. Senate seat with Sen. Ron Johnson facing former Sen. Russ Feingold. In 2010, Johnson was the benefactor of an anti-incumbent electorate as he defeated Feingold. In 2016, Feingold may be the benefactor of the Presidential election with a higher turnout and the history in Wisconsin of voting for the Democratic nominee since 1984. TLW

www.tlw.org

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Featured Affiliates Great Lakes Distillery In the heart of Milwaukee, a small batch craft distillery is making modern, super premium products using old-world methods. Founder Guy Rehorst began Great Lakes Distillery 12 years ago, and says he tries to make better products by putting extra time and effort into his spirits.

Great Lakes Distillery employs eight full-time employees and about the same number of part-time staff, with product distribution in 26 states. “Being a small brand, we’re not always easy to find, however,” Rehorst says.

Rehorst explains Great Lakes Distillery has approximately 10 specialty products, including their five signature spirits: vodka, gin, rum, whiskey and brandy. Many of these have been honored with national awards of excellence.

One unique product is a salute to the repeal of prohibition. As part of the celebration on December 5th each year, the distillery releases one barrel of rye whiskey that has been aged for five years. Each handnumbered flask bottle of Repeal Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey is 90 proof, with an old-style recipe featuring a mash of 92 percent rye and 8 percent malted barley.

When it comes to customer demographics, Rehorst says the Great Lakes Distillery products have appealed to a very broad range of people, anyone looking for a unique, locally made product.

As a TLW affiliate member, Rehorst says the conventions have been an excellent way to meet both existing and potential customers.

He and his two brand ambassadors are sure to attend each event.

“We share many of the same concerns that TLW members do with regard to various laws and other ways our business may be a target,” Rehorst explains.

Great Lakes Distillery is open to the public for one-hour tours, which includes a flight of six products to try. Reservations for tours can be made online.

The distillery’s tasting room is open every day, and features many basic cocktails and several specialty drinks on a rotating menu. Their outdoor patio is available for use in the summer, holds up to 65 people and offers a view of Milwaukee’s downtown skyline.

Rehorst welcomes TLW members to visit the distillery when visiting Milwaukee. “Our doors are always open to members to come in and tour and see what we do, learn about the process and products,” he concludes.

Great Lakes Distillery

Guy Rehorst 616 W. Virginia St., Milwaukee, WI 53204 Phone: (414) 431-8683 info@greatlakesdistillery.com • www.greatlakesdistillery.com

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Rock Cheese Company Rock Cheese Company is a family-owned and operated cheese distributor based in Madison. Cody Wood is the company’s operations manager, and says that the business buys and re-sells cheese from 22 cheese producers located primarily in southern Wisconsin.

Started in 1983 by Bill Rock, Wood says Rock’s mission was and still is to support local agriculture, and also new cheesemakers. “They [the cheesemakers] pop up here and there, and don’t have a factory of their own,” he says. “They come to us and say they’ve heard that Rock Cheese can help them out and provide some distribution. If the bigger companies won’t take them on, we can and we like to.”

As one of the cheese buyers, Wood says that Rock Cheese takes pride in offering its clients some of the hard-to-find and niche cheeses, “the best that Wisconsin has to offer.” It services just about every kind of outlet, Wood adds, including grocery and convenience stores, highend restaurants, supper clubs, bars, taverns and anything in between.

He and company Manager Steve Berg are responsible for sales, and many retired people help with part-time delivery roles. Wood adds that a big part of Rock Cheese’s business is delivering fresh cheese curds the day they’re made. This is their niche product, and the company is carrying the 2013 World Champion Cheese, an aged Gouda from Holland’s Family Cheese in Thorp.

“Many times, the cheesemakers we work with locally compete in contests on local, state and national, even world levels,” Wood adds.

“We take pride in having the producer themselves shine with their label and product.”

As far as its own label, Wood says one product in the works is called the 608 Cheese, which will be out soon and geared toward the food service industry. “It’s going to be a frozen cheese product and we’re really excited to showcase it to the world,” he adds.

Rock Cheese is a new TLW affiliate member, and Woods says the company is really looking forward to becoming involved with the events and showcasing its offerings. He adds that Rock Cheese believes it’s important to support other small businesses as well as to support the people that support the cheese industry. “The industry starts on the ground level with farmers, then milk truck drivers, producers, cheese factory owners, and we think each of these groups factor into the TLW’s success, as they are people that support the local taverns,” he explains.

Rock Cheese Company

Cody Wood 4277 Argosy Ct., Madison, WI 53714 Phone: (608) 223-6272 mail@rockcheese.com • www.rockcheese.com www.tlw.org

Super Sports

SafeRide

Breast Cancer

VFW

Brakebush Brothers Inc. For more than 90 years, Brakebush Brothers has been perfecting the art of chicken.

“Chicken is all we do. We have no beef or pork, we’re just really into chicken,” says Steve Ross, marketing manager for Brakebush Brothers Inc., which is headquartered in Westfield, Wis. Brakebush offers a complete line of fully cooked chicken items as well as raw individual quick-frozen (IQF) chicken breast fillets. This includes bone-in chicken dinners; breaded and roasted chicken wings; tenderloins; breaded and grilled breast fillets; boneless wings and popcorn chicken; and sliced and diced chicken.

New for Brakebush are its recently introduced Tater Chip Strips, a fully cooked chicken strip made with all breast meat and coated in a crunchy, irresistible potato chip breading. Available in whole tenderloins and fully cooked chicken breast strips, they’re perfect as a snack or meal, or in sandwiches, wraps and salads.

Brakebush offers more than 200 products. “Our products are ideal since they can be prepared so easily,” says Ross. “In addition, our wide variety of products helps give the bar and grill operator multiple options when it comes to menu development.”

The company is family-owned with more than 1,200 dedicated employees, including a strong direct sales force that builds close relationships with Brakebush operators and distributors. “We get to know our customers’ needs and challenges and then provide the appropriate solutions. We provide our customers guidance on food prep, food costs, safe food handling and menu development.

We show customers how to make money, enabling them to run a successful operation,” says Ross.

From two brothers and a truck delivering local livestock and poultry to markets in Madison and Milwaukee in 1925, Brakebush continues to expand and perfect its extensive line of chicken products so food establishments, taverns included, can offer customers great taste at a great price.

“You don’t become an expert overnight. You become an expert over 90 years. We’ve been innovating, perfecting and producing greattasting chicken for over 90 years — it’s all we do,” says Ross. “Buy local and buy the best: Brakebush chicken.”

Brakebush Brothers Inc.

N4993 6th Dr., Westfield, WI 53964 Phone: (800) 933-2121 www.brakebush.com www.tlw.org

Mike Disher - Matt Disher - Andrew Disher - Michael Disher II March/April 2016

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Accounting Help DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR … START PLANNING NOW!

By Michelle Eno, CPA

A

s the new tax year begins, there’s plenty of time to put many tax planning strategies to work for you. There are many excellent planning opportunities for companies that want to reduce their tax and compliance burdens.

PLAN FOR NEW AND EXTENDED REGULATIONS Several popular provisions expired at the end of 2014, but many were extended and made permanent at the end of the year, including these for businesses: Tangible Property Regulations: Tangible property regulations are not new this year, but do apply to all taxpayers who buy, sell, improve or dispose of depreciable assets for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014. The rules are generally taxpayer-friendly and provide clear guidelines to determine whether costs are currently deductible or must be capitalized and depreciated. These regulations also require certain annual elections in order to fully benefit from their taxpayer-friendly provisions.

Bonus Depreciation: Extended for property placed in service during 2015 - 2019. This amount of deductible depreciation is permitted above and beyond what would normally be available. However, Wisconsin does not allow bonus depreciation and differences must be accounted for on your income tax return.

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Permanent Extension of the Maximum Amount and Phase-out of the Section 179 Threshold: Allows a taxpayer to deduct the cost of certain types of property on their income taxes as an expense, (up to $500,000 when new assets put into place during the year are less than $2,000,000) rather than requiring the cost of the property to be capitalized and depreciated. This deduction is also allowed on your Wisconsin income tax return.

Research and Development Tax Credit: Expanded rules allow more businesses to qualify. Expenses that qualify for this credit include money spent on improving a product and/or the process in making the product.

Work Opportunity Credit: Extended through 2019 and available to employers who hire individuals from certain target groups who consistently have faced significant barriers to employment. The new law modifies the credit, beginning in 2016, to apply to employers who hire qualified long-term unemployed individuals (those who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more) and increases the credit to 50 percent of the first $6,000 of wages.

Qualified Restaurant Improvements: Extended and made permanent, qualified leasehold improvements, qualified restaurant buildings and improvements, and qualified retail improvements are eligible for 15 year straight line cost recovery.

gross income (15 percent of taxable income in the case of a “C” corporation) per year and also modifies the deduction to provide special rules for valuing food inventory.

Make the Most of Retirement Plan Opportunities to Lower Taxes: If you are not taking full advantage of the special retirement saving options for small business owners, you may be missing out on valuable tax deductions. A Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) and Solo 401(k)s feature contribution thresholds that can be significantly higher than those for other kinds of IRAs. In some cases, you can establish these types of plans for yourself and also offer them to employees.

These plans all feature minimal paperwork, maintenance and cost, and are worth investigating. While it is still possible to implement and contribute to a SEP Plan for the 2015 tax year, the others will have to be implemented for the 2016 tax year. TLW Michelle (Shelly) Eno is Tax & Business Services Department Manager with Wegner LLP, CPAs & Consultants with offices in Madison, Baraboo, Janesville and Pewaukee. This article is not intended to give complete tax advice, but a general review of the subject matter. You can contact Michelle at 608-442-1951 or michelle. eno@wegnercpas.com

Enhanced Charitable Deduction: The charitable deduction for contributions of food inventory was made permanent.

The new law modifies the deduction by increasing the limitation on deductible contributions of food inventory from 10 to 15 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted www.tlw.org

Affiliate Members TLW AFFILIATE MEMBERS as of February 20, 2016 Plunkett’s Pest Control

Corporate Casuals & Promotional Products

Indianhead Foodservice Dist. Inc.

County Wide Extinguisher Inc.

Johnson Brothers Beverage

Ackley Novelty Inc.

D & D Amusement Games LLC

Johnson Dist. Inc.

Affiliated Investment Group

Dean’s Satellite & Security

Just in Time Refrigeration LLC

Allied Games Inc.

Delafield Brew Haus

Karen’s Koasters LLC

Allied Insurance Centers Inc.

DeVere Company Inc.

American Entertainment Services Inc.

Dierks Waukesha

Kavanaugh’s Restaurant Supplies

AcclaimPOS Solutions Inc. Accord Business Services, Card Connect Int.

American Income Life American Welding & Gas Amusement Devices Inc. B & K Bar & Restaurant Supplies B-M Music & Games Badger Hood, Fire & Summit Badger Mutual Insurance Company Baraboo Sysco Food Services BarsGuru Enterprises LLC Batzner Pest Control Bay Towel/Linen Rental Bayland Insurance Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc.

Dining Publications LLC DISCUS Disher Insurance Services Edge One Inc. El Cortez Hotel & Casino Elite Amusements Emil’s Pizza Inc. Energy Distributing Engels Commercial Appliance Inc.

Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band

Bi-State Point of Sale Solutions Big Game Sports Cards/ Sterling Graphics

Friebert, Finerty & St. John, S.C. Game Management Corp.

Safe Harbor Payment Systems

Lee Beverage of Wisconsin LLC

Sam’s Amusement Co.

Great Lakes Amusements

Boelter Companies

Great Lakes Beverage

Brakebush Brothers

Great Lakes Distillery

Modern Cash Register Systems

Brat Stop Products LLC

Great Northern Amusements

Modern Specialty Company

Bromak Sales Inc.

Guardian Pest Solutions Inc.

Murphy Desmond S.C.

Capital Brewery

Gunderson Linen

National Chemicals Inc.

Cash Depot

Hansen Foods LLC

Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.

CCI Merchant Services

Health Markets Insurance Agency

New Glarus Brewing Co.

www.tlw.org

Stevens Point Brewery Superior Beverages LLC Superior Vending Taylor Ent. of WI Inc. Tesch Chemical

Midwest Amusements

Bob Schuchardt Insurance

Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc.

Star Connection/LodgeVision

Midstate Amusement Games

Glavinsured Agency Inc.

Complete Office of Wisconsin

Stansfield Vending Inc

Mid Wisconsin Beverage

BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.)

Coffee Express Inc.

Special Olympics Wisconsin Inc.

Micro Matic

General Beverage Sales Co.

Horizon Foodservice Equipment

Service Specialists

Meyer Brothers LLC

Bluegrass LED Lighting

Holiday Wholesale Inc.

Schmidt Novelty

MBE CPAs

General Beer - Northeast Inc.

City Screen Print and Embroidery

Saratoga Liquor Co. Inc.

Mass Appeal Specialties Inc.

Blue Honey Bio-Fuels Inc.

Hiawatha Chef, Bar and Janitorial Supply

Sanimax USA LLC

Magnuson Industries Inc.

GameTimeUpdates

Chambers Travel

Sam’s Club

Legacy Advisor Network

Blondie Enterprises

Heartland Payment Systems

Riverside Foods Inc. S & S Distributing Inc.

Bill’s Distributing Ltd.

Central Ceiling Systems Inc.

Retail Control Solutions

Lebby’s Frozen Pizza

Games Are Us Inc.

Central Beer Distributors

Reinhart Food Service, LLC

Rock Cheese Company

M & R Amusements & Vending LLC

Bevinco

Red’s Novelty Ltd.

Lamers Bus Lines

Fintech

Foremost Business Systems

Ransom’s Satellite & AV

Kobussen Trailways

Luiges Frozen Pizza Inc.

Best Bargains

Racine Amusement Inc. Rally Bus

KLB Insurance ServicesIllinois Casualty

Fabiano Brothers

Flipside Coin Machines Inc.

Precision Pours Inc.

KevCorp International

Engineered Security Solutions

Fleming’s Fire I

POS Partners

Kessenich’s Ltd.

LJP Insurance Agency/ Rural Mutual

Flanigan Distributing

Portesi Italian Foods Inc.

Midwest Coin Concepts of WI Midwest Hospitality Solutions Mike Lindy Amusements Inc. Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Pedal Tavern LLC Mitchell Novelty Co.

NHS Food Service Northern Lakes Amusement Northwest Coin Machine Co. NSM Music Inc.

Think Ink & Design Ticket King Inc. Tim-Todd Services Inc. TIPS Program Tito’s Handmade Vodka Tri-Mart Corporation Tricky Dick & Joyce Specialty TRL Int’l. Mtkg. Group/ Global Vending LLC Unifirst US Bank Payment Solutions/Elavon Vern’s Cheese Inc. Vital Tokens Wausau Coin Machines Inc. WI Hospitality Insured Wine Institute

On Mobile

Wisconsin Environmental Services

Paradise Printing Company

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps

HSC Business Brokers

Park Ridge Distributing Inc.

Wisconsin Tavern

Hyer Standards

Pehler Distributing Inc.

Ideal Ad & Sportswear

Pepsi Beverages Company March/April 2016

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New Members TLW New Members October 26, 2015 to February 18, 2016 District 1

Sir Arthur’s Beer Gardens Christine E. Raymond Kenosha

Kenosha City 22nd Ave. Mobil Gary Nagra Kenosha Bristol Renaissance Faire Renaissance Faire Kenosha Cooler Near The Lake Kevin McCarron Kenosha

Ruffolo’s Pizza LLC Richard M. Stiles Pleasant Prairie Kenosha County Bella Vita Banquet Hall Brian & Heather Boeckenstedt Burlington

Freddie’s Bar & Grill Fred C. Kauzrich Kenosha Italian American Society Steven R. Torcaso Kenosha Moe Moe’s Midnight Bistra Ganeva Kenosha

Tacos El Rey Jeremy B. Stump Kenosha

Racine City Brass Monkey Evelyn Scheibner Todd Manning Racine Buona Vita Inc. Achille Cortese Racine

Cham-Tap Cari Fenkl Racine Curmudgeon’s Pub & Grill LLC Dawn Burbey Racine Dan’s Liquor Bhupendra R. Patel Racine Doobie’s Devin Dubiak Racine Racine Zoological Society Beth Heidorn Racine Racine County JJ’s on the Hill Jill Maciosek Waterford Rock County Bad Brad’s Wing and a Prayer Brad B. Vincent Janesville Barkley’s Burgers, Brews & Dawgs Alan Meehan Janesville South Central Monroe Den Jim Becker Monroe Walworth County Richmond House Pub Ryan Scheffler Delavan The Window Bar Emilio G. Huerta Delavan Thumbs Up Saloon Benjamin Barels Lake Geneva Zenda Tap LLC Jose Hernandez Zenda

District 2 Columbia County Columbus VFW Post 8090 Stephanie Smart Columbus

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Fitz’s Pub & Grill Inc. Mark Obois & Joe Hyland Lodi Dodge County Cooper Shop Saloon & Restaurant Annette and Sam Kempf Mayville Jefferson County Run-Inn Erins Erin Schroeder Watertown Madison/Dane County Hilton Madison at Monona Terrace Michael Weaver Madison Licari’s Bar & Grill Lawrence J. Schmidt Madison Mampel’s Barrel Inn LLC Steve Nampel Marshall Daly’s Bar and Grill Steven Daly Sun Prairie Waukesha County Bobblehead’s Pub Daniel Petrie Muskego

District 3

Duke’s Brew Pub & Ale House Jay Lindner Dodgeville Rockers/Den Bar & Grill Dennis C. Schulze Patch Grove Richland Center American Legion Club Ltd. Bobbi Jo Deckert Richland Center Juneau County 3B’s Little Summit LLC Rebecca Menches Mauston Rehab Jeremy Holliday Mauston Tuesday’s Bar & Grill Colleen LaFortune New Lisbon La Crosse City/ County Hideaway Bar Jack Wuolle Chaseburg Pooker’s Place David & Cheryl Christianson Coon Valley Monroe County Long Shot Saloon Lucas Bender Norwalk

Grant/Iowa County Second Chance Bar & Grill Daniel Noble Beetown

Sauk County Varsity Club Lori Schultz Merrimac

McCarthy’s Tavern Katey Neis Benton

Spring Green Lanes Albert & Lori Grell Spring Green

Bloomington Area Sportsmens Club Rob Nelson Bloomington

District 4

Annie’s Bar & Grill Pat Donahoe Darlington

New Arthur’s Spring Green

Calumet County Bobbers Up April Bruckert Chilton

Officials Den Bowl & Spirits Jim & JoAnn Schmidt Hilbert The Source Public House Daniel Long Menasha Fond du Lac City/County The Nuthouse LLC Melinda Paasch Fond du Lac Manitowoc County VFW Two Rivers Post 1248 Two Rivers Branch River’s Edge Patricia Brey Whitelaw Oshkosh City The Hill Tavern LLC Tom Marquardt Omro Jockey Club Gayle Savka Oshkosh Knuckleheads Booze Blues & BBQ David Lynk Oshkosh Sheboygan County Water Street Pub Ozgur Acar Sheboygan Washington County The 5th Quarter Tavern Eric Anderson Kewaskum

District 5 Adams County The Country Skillet Lori Mitchell Adams Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill Billy Pratt Bancroft

www.tlw.org

New Members 4 Seasons Travel Mart 4 Seasons Friendship Dawn’s Slip Inn Dawn Abfall Wisconsin Dells Pritzl’s Trading Post Lori J. Pritzl-O’Keefe Nekoosa Green Lake Area The Corner Bar Michelle Clark Brandon Mel’s Bar & Grill LLC Craig & Tammy Becker Brandon Tuscumbia Country Club Tuscumbia CC Green Lake Shorties Sports Bar & Grill Cherie Mayan Ripon Marathon County Lisa’s At Lakeside Lisa Wierzba Hatley Moonlight Landing Bar & Grill Donald Moon Mosinee El Tequila Salsa Rogelio Romano Wausau

Portage County DJ’s Corner Bar and Event Hall Doug & Connie Beggs Bancroft Pop A Top Bar & Grill Kathy Sawyer Bancroft Dago’s Bar & Grill Anthony Distasio Junction City Portage County Fair Chris Martin Rosholt Dago’s 51-10 Tony Distasio Stevens Point Mak’s Bar LLC Mary Makuski Stevens Point Shawano County Good Vibes Bar and Grill Kim Heindel Bonduel

Waupaca County Marion Recreation Inc. Jeff Flink Marion

Forest County Marohl’s Brule River Tap Daniel Marohl Alvin

Waushara County Sneaky Pete’s Bar & Grill Leslie J. Knorr Hancock

Longshot Bar & Grill Joshua Shaw Long Lake

Kayla’s Pub and Grub Kayla Mailhot Neshkoro Wood County Foley’s Nita Brew Kevin E. Foley Nekoosa Freddie’s Pub & Eatery Fredric Pruss Wisconsin Rapids

District 6 Brown County Keweenaw Pub Adam Robb De Pere

Wake Zone Pub Don Rouse Cecil

Scoreboard Grille Matt Kipuart & Randy Degreer Green Bay

Big Fuzzy’s Vicki Duprey Gillett

Wade’s Pittstop Wade Voegtline Green Bay

Jen’s Knaughty Pine Jen Olson Pulaski

Florence County Annie’s Trading Post Ann Broullire Florence

Vinal Street Tavern Shannm Seejmiller Wittenberg

Hill’s Still Ronica Anderson Pearson Kewaunee County Sheila’s Bar II Patricia Jurczykowski Denmark The Market LLC Mike Suemnick Denmark Oconto County D2 Sports Pub Airport Mike Lenarduzzi Green Bay McGuire’s Sports Bar & Restaurant Denise M. Jagiello-Diehlmann Lena Pipeline Bar & Grill Dave Thompson Suring Viz’s Kelly Lake Bar Jeremiah Vizelka Suring Outagamie County Appleton Street Sports Bar & Grill Clyde Weycker Appleton

M. T. Pockets Brian Tomaszewski Appleton Mr. Brews Taphouse Tammy Verhagen Appleton Station 2 LLC Gary Janke Bear Creek Beaver’s Hut Mark Gerrits Freedom Loose Wheel Stephanie Williamson Hortonville Wisconsin International Raceway Roger Van Daalwyk Kaukauna Jacks or Better Matt Spielbauer Little Chute Greene’s Pour House Dave Richter Neenah

District 7 Barron County Buck Horn Saloon Howard Dearborn Comstock “It’s About Time” Tracy Kobernick Dallas

Chippewa County Andy’s Bar Lynne Stouff Boyd Tolley’s Bowl & Bar Jeff L. Tollefson Boyd Roadhouse Bar & Grill Kimberlie Cass Eau Claire Dubiels Huron Tavern Dan Dubiel Stanley Clark County Neighborhood Bar Thomas P. Breu Marshfield Wildcat Inn Christina Jensen Neillsville Thirsty Squirrel Kellie L. Hanson Owen Little Club Donnie Smith Spencer Rob’s Redwood Robert Unity Dunn County The Timber Inn John Stalter Downsville

Happy Hour Bar William Grocke Rice Lake

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Modern Cash Register Systems Neenah • 920.749.8007 • www.ModernCashRegister.com Krebs Business Machines Inc. Stevens Point • 800.249.7100 • www.KrebsBusinessMachines.com Cash Register Service Co. Inc. Milwaukee • 414.447.6200 • jcluckow@crsmilwaukee.com www.tlw.org

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New Members

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CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE www.massappealinc.com 42

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Eau Claire City/ County Eau Claire Ale House Travis Ulwelling Eau Claire Jackson County Donna K’s Bar and Family Diner Chuck & Danielle Bowers Black River Falls Hideaway Tavern Harold Charneski Black River Falls Lady Lumberjacks Penny J. Halvorson Fairchild Duece’s Bar & Grille Ricky Bauer Melrose Pierce County Muddy Waters Steve Mann Prescott Bo’s ‘n Mine Gary Gruber & Andrew Schmitz River Falls Junior’s Bar and Restaurant Dustin Hanson River Falls Mel’s Midtowner LLC Eugene & Connie Gavin River Falls Moonshiners Brittany R. Gilmore River Falls River Falls Golf Club Douglas Hanson Roberts Polk County Dresser Food & Liquor Lisa Robinson Dresser St. Croix County Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse Craig Lund Hudson

LoLo American Kitchen Joe Ehlenz Hudson Trempealeau/ Buffalo County Gumby’s LLC Clyde & Debbie Gumbert Mondovi Sand Bar Kim Kiedrowski Trempealeau

District 8 Ashland/Bayfield County Hugo’s Inc. Tim Ledin Ashland The Niblick Bar and Grill Chad Whiteaker Ashland The Creamery Bar/Bayfield Inn Tyler Stoklasa Bayfield Patsy’s Bar & Grill Barbara Engelhard Washburn Greater Northwoods Hurley Bowling Alley Karen Tenlen Hurley Yukon 51 Doralyn Thomas Hurley Lakeland Area Thunderbird Bar & Grill LLC Frederick J. Richter St. Germain Oneida County Island City Lanes Gina Zagotta Minocqua Sportsman’s Cafe Amy Steele Rhinelander Mollyville Molly Beloff Three Lakes

Price County Captain Nemo’s Pub & Grub LLC Patricia Bochler, DA Park Falls

District 9

Sawyer County Club 77 Rick Stolfa Hayward

Point After Pub and Grille Darrel Malek Franklin

Superior/ Douglas County Lakeview Lodge Heather & Thomas Higgins Solon Springs

Backdraught Terry Lucas Milwaukee

Taylor County Uncommon Ground Jean & Randy Pawlowicz Medford

Mike’s Place Michael Patton Milwaukee

Tomahawk/ Merrill Area Les and Jim’s Lincoln Lanes Mark Bares Merrill Dan and Mel’s Walleye Lodge Melanie Burkhart & Dan Van Denzen Tomahawk Vilas County Silver Leaf Food & Spirits LLC Brian A. Voss Eagle River The Nutty Squirrel Dawn Fessenbecker Eagle River Williams’s Pine Gables Supper Club Jeanette & Gregory Williams Eagle River

Milwaukee County Hospitality Marshall’s Bar Jeff Lewitzke Cudahy

Days Inn & Suites Cindy Lou Grube Milwaukee

Sly Fox Bar Daniel Sly Milwaukee Tracy Rae’s LLC Tracy R. Johanneck Oak Creek Casey’s on the Ave. Shawn Casey South Milwaukee South Milwaukee Yacht Club John Groth South Milwaukee The Tap Room Ryan M. Gajevic South Milwaukee Fourth-N-Long Michael G. Lange West Allis Kokopelli’s Antonette M. Zirnhelt West Allis Uncle Fester’s Timothy Wergin West Allis

Washburn County Stanberry Rail Saloon Liz Lange Springbrook

www.tlw.org

Ask the Bartender In this column, we answer some of the most often asked questions by Tavern League members. Please feel free to submit your questions for consideration to TLW Senior Vice President Chris Marsicano, cmarsicano@yahoo.com.

Q: ONCE A PERSON TURNS 18 THEY ARE NO LONGER A MINOR, SO IS IT ILLEGAL TO SERVE THEM? No, according to Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 125 it is legal for you to serve an underage person accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has not attained the legal drinking age. The key words being attained the legal drinking age. It is always your option as an owner to decide at what age you will serve patrons.

Q: I HIRED A BARTENDER THAT HAD A DUI. CAN MY MUNICIPALITY LEGALLY DENY THEM AN OPERATOR’S LICENSE? Yes, the following is the state statute for issuing an operator’s license. Note: some municipalities interpret the statute more stringently than others. For a complete overview of the law, please refer to Statute 125.17 Issuance of operators’ licenses.

1. AUTHORIZATION: Every municipal governing body shall issue an operator’s license to any applicant who is qualified under s. 125.04 (5). Operators’ licenses may not be required other than for the purpose of complying with ss. 125.32 (2) and 125.68 (2) or s. 125.06 (3g). Operators’ licenses may be issued only upon written application.

2. V ALIDITY: Operators’ licenses are valid only within the issuing municipality.

3. F EE: The municipal governing body shall establish by ordinance a fee for the operator’s license. Except as provided under sub. (4), a license shall be valid for one or 2 years, as determined by the municipal governing body, and shall expire on June 30, except in 1st class cities the license shall expire on December 31.

4. TEMPORARY LICENSE: Any municipal governing body may issue a temporary operator’s license under the terms of subs. (1) to (3), except that: (a) This license may be issued only to operators employed by, or donating their services to, nonprofit corporations. (b) No person may hold more than 2 licenses of this kind per year. (c) The license is valid for any period from one day to 14 days, and the period for which it is valid shall be stated on the license.

www.tlw.org

5. P ROVISIONAL LICENSE: (a) 1. A municipal governing body that issues operators’ licenses shall issue provisional operators’ licenses. The municipal governing body may by ordinance establish standards under which provisional licenses shall be issued and shall by ordinance designate the municipal official having authority to issue them. (See Statute 125.17 (5) for detailed information.)

6. Q UALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSES AND PERMITS: (a) Natural persons. Licenses and permits related to alcohol beverages, issued to natural persons under this chapter, may be issued only to persons who fulfill all of the following requirements: 1. Do not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, 111.335 and 125.12 (1) (b).

2. Have been residents of this state continuously for at least 90 days prior to the date of application.

3. Have attained the legal drinking age.

4. Have submitted proof under s. 77.61 (11).

5. Have successfully completed within the 2 years prior to the date of application a responsible beverage server training course at any location that is offered by a technical college district and that conforms to curriculum guidelines specified by the technical college system board or a comparable training course that is approved by the department or the educational approval board.

Criminal offenders: No license or permit related to alcohol beverages may, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, be issued under this chapter to any person who has habitually been a law offender or has been convicted of a felony unless the person has been duly pardoned.

Corporations and limited liability companies: No license or permit may be issued to any corporation or limited liability company unless that entity meets the qualifications and requirements set forth. (See Chapter 125 for more details.)

Q: MY BARTENDER RETAINED AN ID HE BELIEVED WAS A FAKE, AND CALLED THE POLICE TO REPORT IT. NOW THE PERSON WHO HAD HIS ID CONFISCATED IS THREATENING TO SUE ME. CAN HE DO THIS? No, according to Chapter 125.039 Civil liability exemption for retaining proofs of age. No person who holds a license or permit and no employee of such a person is civilly liable for retaining a document presented as proof of age for a reasonable length of time in a good faith effort to determine whether the person who presented the document is an underage person or to notify a law enforcement authority of a suspected violation of s. 125.085 (3) (a) or (b). TLW

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SPECIAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP Platinum Club Members

Outagamie County Tavern League Oshkosh City Tavern League Portage County Tavern League Waushara County Tavern League TLW 3rd District TLW 5th District

Gold Club Members Dodge County Tavern League Door County Tavern League Manitowoc County Tavern League Oconto County Tavern League TLW 7th District

Silver Club Member Repp’s Bar

Annual Membership Levels Platinum $1,000 Annual Membership Level • Gold $500 Annual Membership Level • Silver $250 Annual Membership Level For more information on becoming a Special Club Member, call the TLW office at 800-445-9221

Glassware, Napkins, Bar Towels, Coasters.

Fried Calamari, Onion Rings, Sliders, Fries, Pretzels, Popcorn.

Everything for your bar

in one place

BBQ, Ranch, Honey Mustard, Siracha and More!

See your Reinhart® Sales Consultant to learn what we can deliver to YOU!

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Lemons, Limes, Parsley, Celery.

t r a c s d i r e c t . c o m www.tlw.org

Local League Updates Manitowoc County Organizations Benefit from TLW Golf Outing

Racine County Shows its Support for SafeRide At the Racine County Tavern League Christmas party at Roma Lodge in Racine last December, Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave (right) presents Lou Larson, Tavern League of Wisconsin first district director and Racine City Tavern League (RCTL) president with a check for $1,500 for the RCTL’s SafeRide Program.

Recipients of the proceeds from the TLW’s annual golf outing held last September in Mishicot were eight organizations from Manitowoc County.

Varying amounts totaling $4,000 were distributed by Manitowoc County Tavern League at Port Sandy near Two Rivers. Shown from left: Tim Tomchek, president Manitowoc County Tavern League; Joe McCarey, recovering from brain surgery; Katelyn Burton, Wisconsin Maritime Museum; Mike Johnson, Wisconsin Maritime Museum; Dave Ahrenz, Kiel Lions Club; Amy Meyer, Manitowoc County Historical Society; Michelle Linville, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Lynn Skarvan, Two Rivers Ecumenical Pantry (TREP) Kris Zolltheis; Manitowoc County Miracles – Special Olympics; and Jerry Behnke, Peter’s Pantry.

SDCTL Foundation Fights Dental Disease

Ale Asylum Sponsors Polar Plunge Despite the single digit temperatures on Saturday, Feb. 13 hundreds of brave souls participated in Madison’s Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Wisconsin. This year, TLW-member Ale Asylum collaborated with General Beer Madison to sponsor the Helter Shelter entertainment tent. After attendees took the plunge and thawed out a bit, they hoisted one of Ale Asylum’s brews to celebrate this special organization that provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Superior-Douglas County Tavern League has been a supporter of the nonprofit, Just Kids Dental for six years. The program brings the fight against dental disease to schools, day care centers and medical clinics, and serves 4,000 students in Wisconsin and Minnesota annually, with 60 percent of school-based efforts focused in Douglas County. SDCTL created Sips and Slices, an event offering beer and pizza tastings, to support the program. This year, they hope to raise $15,000, but the league provided additional support with a $1,500 check: $750 from the SDCTL Foundation and a matching $750 grant from the TLW. Shown from left: Stacey Anderson, executive director, Just Kids Dental; Laura Jackson, program manager, Just Kids Dental; Mark Casper, SDCTLF and Just Kids Dental board member; and Dan Patterson, SDCTLF and Just Kids Dental board member.

Want to See Your Local League Featured in On Premise?

Send your photos and a brief description to: Pete Madland, petem@tlw.org; Chris Marsicano, c.marsicano@yahoo.com or Barb Howell, bhowell@ntmediagroup.com www.tlw.org

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Advertiser Index

Affiliated Investment Group Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 B & K Bar Supplies www.bandkbarsupplies.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Brakebush Brothers www.brakebush.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Breakthru Beverage www.breakthrubev.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Cornerstone Processing Solutions www.cornerstoneps.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Disher Insurance Services www.disherinsurance.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Edge One www.edgeone.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Emil’s Pizza www.emilspizza.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Fair Neon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Great Lakes Amusement www.glastore.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Great Lakes Distillery www.greatlakesdistillery.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Great Lakes Amusement Cherry Master - Video Poker Pull tab disPensers Coin Pushers - rePlaCeMent Parts

PLAtinum touch 3 34 GAmes in one cAbinet Affiliate tavern League member Green Bay, WI 877-354-7544 www.GlaStore.com

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap

Pulltab ProMotionS

Great Profits Employee Incentive Program Used Pulltab Machines Available More Info: 414-217-1731 wbohrer@wi.rr.com www.wimilkcaps.com

Kessenichs LTD. www.kessenichs.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Lamers Bus Lines Inc. www.golamers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Magnuson Industries Inc. www.posi-pour.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Mass Appeal Specialties Inc. www.massappealinc.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Advertise in

On Premise the official publication

MillerCoors www.millercoors.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

of the Tavern League of

Modern Cash Register Systems www.moderncashregister.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Wisconsin

Precision Pours Inc. www.precisionpours.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Reinhart Foodservice LLC www.rfsdelivers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Riverside Foods www.riversidefoods.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Society Insurance www.societyinsurance.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Contact:

Louise Andraski, Account Executive

Sysco Foods www.sysco.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 WAMO www.wamo.net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Wisconsin Souvenir Milk Caps www.wimilkcaps.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37, 46 Wisconsin Wine & Spirit Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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louisea@merr.com Direct: 608-873-8734 Fax: 262-245-2000 NEI-TURNER MEDIA GROUP www.tlw.org

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