On Premise July/August 2018

The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin

JULY/AUGUST 2018 TLW.ORG

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The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin JULY/AUGUST 2018 VOLUME 36, NO. 4

FEATURES

INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS. . . . . . . . . . 12 Rick Berman and ABI stand strong against attacks on the beverage alcohol industry

THE RIGHT TO PLAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Unraveling the confusion of music licensing fees

TLW FALL CONVENTION PREVIEW. . . . . . . . . 20 TLW Homegrown “Only in Wisconsin”

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LEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS LEAGUE PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Door County Tavern League

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Mr. G’s Supper Club and Ballroom

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Chop ‘N’ Shop with a Cop

MEET THE DIRECTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Judy Vandenhouten

16 DEPARTMENTS President’s Perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Front Rail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ABL Dispatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Corporate Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Legislative Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Featured Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Accounting On Tap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Affiliate Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

SOCIALIZE WITH US:

www.tlw.org

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE GET INVOLVED TO ENSURE THE TLW STAYS STRONG!

W

ell here we are — summer is upon us and hopefully everyone is having a successful season. Between running your business and your family obligations I know your lives are busy, but I’d like to take this opportunity to ask all of you for a favor. I’d like to ask each one of you — our members — to please get involved. Whether you get involved in your community by becoming an elected official on your town board or your city council, or you just attend local council or committee meetings that affect your business, you’ll be better for it and the TLW will be too.

Also, get more involved in your local league – help with a fundraiser, a picnic or a golf outing. Get your customers involved, too. Instead of hitting up fellow members for raffles and fundraisers, we need to reach out to people outside the Tavern League to let them know what we’re about. Let them know what we do and inform them about all the charities we support. If possible, get involved in a leadership position in your local league. If you can’t, try and attend a local meeting on occasion. I know many of us don’t have the time to attend every meeting, but there is a lot to learn when local league members get together. If there is something specific affecting your business or area, let your local president know so it can be addressed at an upcoming meeting.

I heard a story about a local league leader that was approached by a very supportive legislator. He asked his local tavern league to help him collect signatures for his nomination papers. The local leader asked 12 of his members to get 10 signatures each for this legislator. When it came time to collect the papers, only one person had collected any signatures! Not only was the local leader embarrassed, but I’m sure the legislator was thinking, “Why am I going to help the Tavern League with their issues if they can’t even collect a few signatures for me to help in my re-election.” This can’t happen again!

So as the fall election season gets underway, it’s time to remember the grassroots principles that have made the Tavern League one of the greatest associations in the state of

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Wisconsin. That means getting involved at the local level to support candidates in the state Legislature as well as those at the national level that support us.

It’s especially critical to get involved at the local level, so those elected will not pass more regulations and legislation that will negatively impact your bottom line and make it harder for you to do business. It doesn’t take much to get involved at the local level.

Get in touch with your state representative or senator and ask them what you can do to lend a hand in their re-election. Encourage your local league to get involved as a group. Simple things like passing out leaflets, knocking on doors or putting up signs can make a difference. During the nominating season get signatures on nomination papers. A little bit of help will go a long way in letting our elected officials know that the team members of the Tavern League are involved, and that we care about our communities, our customers and our businesses. We need to show that we are responsible small business owners that want to lend a hand.

I know that when we mobilize we can get things done, just like we did during the May membership drive. It was a great success with just over 90 new members joining the Tavern League statewide. We had a tie for first place between Grant/ Iowa and Jackson County Tavern Leagues, each with 11 new members. I would like to thank all who took the time to participate, and a special thank you to the membership committee and chairs Jerry Day and Jennifer Collison for the great idea. Although there was a monetary incentive for this new member recruitment contest, our incentive yearround should be to keep getting new members and retaining those we already have to ensure the Tavern League stays strong. Working together and having every member dedicate some precious spare time will go along way to keeping this association great for another 85 years. We can’t do this alone, without our members’ active participation we cannot and will not remain strong and relevant.

Salute!

Chris Marsicano

TLW President www.tlw.org

CORPORATE SPONSORS SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT THOSE WHO

Support Those Who Support Our Association

SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION

PLATINUM PLATINUMSPONSORS SPONSORS PLATINUM SPONSORS

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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 Inc. on the list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call TLW office (608-270-8591) regarding the others benefitsnot of the different Remember to “Support thosein who support us.” call Makethe sure and thank these groups for for more their information support, and encourage on the list tocategories. participate.

Any business interested joining should

Make sure and thank these groups forfor their others not ondifferent the list tocategories. participate.

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 JULY/AUGUST 2018us.”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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PRESIDENT

Chris Marsicano SECRETARY

Erin Pulaski TREASURER

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Tom Dahlen SOUTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT

Dan Taivalkoski

ͻ ǁĂƌĚ ǁŝŶŶŝŶŐ ůŽŽĚLJ DĂƌLJ DŝdžĞƐ ĂŶĚ ^ƉĞĐŝĂůƚLJ 'ĂƌŶŝƐŚĞƐ

SOUTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT

Jim Pickett EASTERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT

Gene Loose EASTERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT

Terri Buman CENTRAL ZONE VICE PRESIDENT

Cathy Vales CENTRAL DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT

Lori Frommgen NORTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT

Jen Gunning NORTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT

Nancy Lorbetske PAST PRESIDENT

Terry Harvath &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ Žƌ ƐĂŵƉůĞƐ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ LJŽƵƌ ĨĂǀŽƌŝƚĞ tŝƐĐŽŶƐŝŶ &ŽƌĞƐƚ &ůŽŽƌ &ŽŽĚƐ ŝƐƚƌŝďƵƚŽƌ

&ŽƌĞƐƚ&ůŽŽƌ&ŽŽĚƐ͘ĐŽŵ ͮ ĚĞŶ͕ tŝƐĐŽŶƐŝŶ ͮ ϵϮϬͲϰϳϳͲ ϲϬϬϵ EDITOR

Pete Madland, Executive Director, Tavern League of Wisconsin MANAGING EDITOR

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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.

Printing is by LSC Communications, Pontiac, IL. For advertising information, contact Louise Andraski, 608-873-8734, louisea@ntmediagroup. 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. ©2018 Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication and credit given to author and On Premise.

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FRONT RAIL LEADERSHIP: DOES THE NON-OWNER HAVE A ROLE?

BY PETE MADLAND, TLW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

R

ecently I have been asked on several occasions if a nontavern owner can hold an office in a local league or even be president.

I am guessing this may be an issue for one of two reasons. The first is that like many volunteer organizations, it is difficult to find people willing to step up and hold office in our local leagues, after all it does take somewhat of a commitment. The second reason, I assume, is personal. Someone doesn’t like someone who currently holds office or who is running for an office.

It is a safe bet that this designated representative is aware of the challenges the owner faces on a daily basis. If that is not the case the licensee made a poor choice of the person to represent him. And finally I would argue anyone, not only the non-owner, can be influenced by others. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on who is doing the influencing.

So let me give you my thoughts. According to our bylaws: Sec. 8 (B) 5 “… any consenting member in good standing (of) this association, qualified as such under Sec. 1 (A) 4 of the bylaws shall be eligible for nomination…” Sec. 1 (A) refers to any business in Wisconsin “licensed to sell alcohol beverages … Shall be entitled to membership in this corporation.” To be clear this refers to a business, thus anyone representing that business is eligible to be elected. I interpret this to mean the owner, or if the owner chooses, a manager, a bartender, waitress, janitor or whomever the owner wishes to represent his/her member business. On the state level we have restrictions as to who may be on the Executive Board. These people must have served at least one year on the board or must have been an active member for 10 consecutive years. So according to our bylaws, anyone designated by the member business may serve on the board.

Every non-profit I am in contact with could use more volunteers. Why discourage their participation? Volunteers must have an interest in the organization they choose to associate with or they could choose an alternative cause or another way to spend their free time. And why limit your talent pool to only members? Some volunteers may have natural leadership skills.

They may be good at organizing or fundraising. Who knows?

One thing they all have in common is extra time, something many of us do not have, so why not use theirs?

Arguments can be made as to why a non-owner should not be eligible. The most typical is that he/she is a non-owner and has no skin in the game. They do not suffer the same consequences as an owner by decisions made by the board. Another is a non-owner doesn’t understand things the way an owner does.

They cannot have the same perspective, or this non-owner may be unduly influenced by others.

Now I understand these concerns. It is difficult to argue that a non-owner has the same at stake as an owner does, after all he/she has no monetary investments, and therefore that person cannot care as much. However to say a non-owner cannot understand and cannot have the same perspective is not completely accurate. I am willing to bet the person designated by the owner is pretty familiar with the business and the industry.

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The other side of this argument is the side I tend to agree with.

If a person wants to get involved even though he/she is not a license holder, why would we want to discourage that? If the owner does not want to get involved and take the time to be active, why not let someone he/she chooses, and is comfortable with, represent him?

I think too often the idea of excluding non-owners from being able to hold office stems from personal dislikes. For whatever reason, a person may dislike a non-owner. The important question to ask: “Is that person doing more harm than good for the association?” If the answer is doing more harm, the solution is not to prevent all non-owners from holding office, the solution is to remove or to prevent that particular person from holding office. In order to do that you must have faith in the voting process. You must have faith that your members will vote for the most qualified person, and history shows that our members have a very good track record at electing the right people.

In conclusion, I feel we should welcome those who want to participate. They should be encouraged to run for positions not discouraged. I (truly believe) their heart is in the right place and they do want to contribute. Let’s take advantage of these people and use their talents. We all are aware that most owners do not want to take the time to become involved. So let’s not discourage those who want to be involved, instead let’s welcome them, encourage them and thank them. TLW www.tlw.org

MAJOR SUPPORTER of

State and Local Tavern Leagues

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN • Co-sponsor of TLW Legislative Day • Underwriter of TLW Video on Jobs and Employment • Sponsor of the TLW Trip Give-away at TLW Spring Conference & Show • Donor of Large Screen TV at TLW Fall Convention & 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 259506 Madison, WI 53725 www.WAMO.net www.tlw.org

608.709.1960 608.824.2205 E amanda@wamo.net P F

A complete list of WAMO members can be found at www.WAMO.net.

Hosts of the World’s Largest Dart Tournament & the Nation’s Largest Pool Tournament.

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ABL Update: The Latest Industry News From Washington

BY ABL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOHN BODNOVICH

P

lans for next year’s annual American Beverage Licensees (ABL) meeting are underway with the event taking place March 2426, 2019 at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. A program full of informative speakers, topical issue discussions, industry networking and a series of hospitality events is on tap.

Next year’s meeting will mark the association’s 17th anniversary and will bring together beer, wine and spirits retailers from across the country – as well as representatives from the three tiers of the beverage alcohol industry. The meeting program will examine the key issues of the day facing independent beverage retailers and explore what lies ahead in the ever-evolving beverage alcohol marketplace.

Additional information – including registration and room rates, speakers, schedules, and hospitality events – will be announced in the coming weeks and months. For the latest updates and information on the 2019 ABL Annual Meeting, be sure to visit the ABL website (ablusa.org).

SPORTS GAMING On May 14, the Supreme Court struck down a federal law that prohibits gaming on individual sporting events in all states throughout the country. The ruling is a landmark shift for the gaming industry and major sports leagues. The lawsuit was brought by the state of New Jersey, with support from 18 other states, and challenged the 1992 law — the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) — which forced states to outlaw sports gaming. Americans place $150 billion a year in illegal sports bets, according to the American Gaming Association.

The rush is now on to implement sports gaming in casinos and racetracks in New Jersey and other states that already permit other forms of gaming. A handful of states have passed or have active legislation that would allow for sports gaming but were waiting for the Supreme Court decision before they

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could move forward. Unlike cannabis legalization, there are no sports book banking obstacles and it does not appear that there are enough votes in Congress to pass legislation to push back on the Supreme Court decision, though anti-sports gaming bills may well be introduced.

MENU LABELING On May 7, the long-delayed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) final rule on menu labeling went into effect. Under the rule, which stems from a provision in the Affordable Care Act, restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations (doing business under the same name and offering for sale substantially the same menu items) must provide consumers with the number of calories contained in standard items on menus and menu boards.

For self-service foods and foods on display, calories must be listed in close proximity and clearly associated with the standard menu item. Businesses must also provide, upon request, the following written nutrition information for standard menu items: total calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans-fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, sugars, fiber and protein.

While the menu-labeling requirements alleviate some problems for chain restaurants operating in multiple states and facing a potential patchwork of menu labeling laws, they have received pushback from segments of the food and beverage industry including pizzerias and craft brewers. Some of those opposed to the regulations were hopeful that the Trump Administration would move to stop the requirements as part of its deregulatory push, but that has not been the case.

ESTATE TAX The Family Business Coalition circulated a letter on April 25 backing the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2018 (H.R. 5422), a bill from Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) to get rid of the estate tax, arguing that “permanent repeal” is “the only solution for family businesses and farms. One challenge now developing for repeal supporters: Republican backers of repeal believe that last year’s tax law, which doubled the estate tax’s exemption, blunted some of the momentum for getting rid of the levy entirely. www.tlw.org

ADA REFORM

NIH ALCOHOL STUDY: On April 11, National Institutes

Despite the successful passage of the ADA Education and Reform Act (H.R. 620) in the House in February, momentum for tweaking the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) has stalled in the Senate. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), herself a disabled veteran, was joined by 42 other Democratic senators on a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in which they pledged to block a Senate vote on the ADA Education and Reform Act. With 43 senators opposing the bill, there is enough opposition to filibuster the legislation, dimming its chances of reaching the Senate floor.

of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins testified before House lawmakers that he is investigating the process by which agency researchers solicited funding from the alcohol industry for a study on the health effects of drinking. Though industries supporting NIH research is not uncommon, the questions follow a New York Times report in March that states that several large alcohol companies contributed millions of dollars to the study through a foundation that supports the NIH. The scope of the NIH study is to determine whether adults who are 50 years and older who have one drink a day have different health outcomes than those who abstain.

CBMTRA

CDC: According to a new report from the Centers for Disease

On March 2, 2018, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued guidelines for implementation of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) portion of the tax reform bill. Though it has been broadly reported that all wineries would benefit from reduced federal excise tax rates, TTB guidelines state: Wineries which totally control production and sales from start to finish will get the full benefit (an effective rate of 7 cents per gallon on the first 30,000 gallons produced, for example), while those using custom crush or remote bonded wine cellars will have to pay the full excise tax rate ($1.07 per gallon) on the wines subject to those scenarios.

Wine industry advocates point out that the TTB’s interpretation would be a “particularly devastating scenario for many small and medium-sized wineries which have long benefited from the Small Producer Tax Credit (enacted in 1991) that lowered their rate from $1.07 to 17 cents per gallon.” Though the presumed tax credits took effect on January 1, 2018, some temporarily permitted wineries fell under the new tax regime as of June 30, 2018.

Alcohol industry suppliers have also launched their lobbying efforts to extend the new alcohol excise tax reductions beyond the current expiration date of December 31, 2019.

IN BRIEF MARIJUANA: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DNY) announced on April 20 that he would be introducing a bill to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. Under his plan, marijuana would be removed from the federal list of controlled substances, which would effectively reduce punishments related to the drug, but would keep in place federal authority to prevent illegal interstate movement of marijuana. In addition, a new Small Business Administration (SBA) policy states that it will not approve loans to businesses that derive any portion of their revenue from sales to marijuana clients because the drug is illegal under federal law. Nine states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana to be sold recreationally, with another 21 allowing it to be sold for medical use. www.tlw.org

Control and Prevention (CDC), about 37 million – or 1 in 6 – U.S. adults binge drink about once a week, consuming an average of seven drinks per binge. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as men consuming 5 or more drinks or women consuming 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. According to the CDC, most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent.

TRADE TARIFFS: A group of more than 100 trade associations has sent a letter to the chairman and ranking members of the House Ways and Means Committee warning that “the impact of a trade war and tariffs would be felt by businesses, workers, farmers and consumers throughout the U.S. and across industry sectors.” The signees are urging the Trump Administration to abandon plans to level as much as $150 billion in tariffs on imports from China, and instead pursue multilateral negotiations to oppose problematic Chinese trade practices. Industry groups that signed the letter include the Distilled Spirits Council, Kentucky Distillers Association and WineAmerica.

ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLANS: The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has launched an association health plan (AHP) designed for restaurants and hospitality businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The launch comes as small businesses try to navigate the healthcare landscape and gain access to plans. The plan comes as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has crafted a proposal to expand AHPs following a presidential executive order in October 2017 that directed agencies to develop regulations that would allow membership organizations to sponsor health plans across state lines. The DOL proposal has received criticism because it would allow health plans that do not fully comply with the Affordable Care Act, though the NRA points out that its AHP complies with the Affordable Care Act. 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.

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Berman, ABI stand strong in the face of attacks on the beverage alcohol industry

BY AMANDA N. WEGNER As a longtime consumer advocate, Richard “Rick” Berman champions individual responsibility and commonsense policy and believes that democracies require an informed public across the board. In that vein, Berman, a longtime friend of the Tavern League of Wisconsin and keynote speaker at the recent spring conference, has founded a number of nonprofit organizations known for their fact-based research and aggressive communications campaigns. This includes the American Beverage Institute (ABI).

Founded in 1991, ABI is dedicated to the protection of responsible on-premise consumption of adult beverages. ABI’s strength stems from its composition, says Berman, as a restaurant trade association, representing America’s favorite restaurant chains as well as hundreds of individual restaurants and on-premise retailers.

“ABI’s mission is to protect the responsible on-premise consumption of alcohol,” says

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Berman, who is also president of Berman and Company, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm specializing in research, communications, and creative advertising. “By using a variety of tools, such as clever advertising, hard-hitting research, and aggressive media engagement, ABI is able to effectively educate the public and lawmakers about policies that target moderate social drinkers, as opposed to hardcore problem drinkers.”

ABI works on a number of core issues that affect all states, though Berman notes that these issues move at different rates in different states. Here, we break down what Berman sees as the biggest issues facing members of the Tavern League of Wisconsin and the beverage alcohol industry as a whole.

LOWER LEGAL BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT LIMIT Last year, Utah was the first state to lower the legal blood alcohol contact (BAC) arrest level for driving from the nationally recognized 0.08 to 0.05 BAC. “The move is an attack on moderate alcohol consumers and criminalizes perfectly responsible behavior,” says Berman. “At the same time, the policy ignores the high-BAC drunk driving offenders that are involved in roughly 70 percent www.tlw.org

of alcohol-related traffic fatalities. On the flip slide, only about two percent of fatal crashes involve someone between the newly disputed interval of .05 and .08.”

The .05 BAC threshold can be reached by consuming little more than a glass of wine for a 120-pound woman, or two glasses for a 160-pound man. What’s more is that someone talking on a hands-free cell phone, which is considered responsible cellphone use while driving, is considerably more impaired than a driver at .05.

While only one state has actually passed .05 BAC legislation into law, a number of other states, including New York, Hawaii, Washington, and most recently, Delaware, have had .05 bills introduced. ABI supports the .08 limit currently in place nationwide and advocates for programs proven to keep dangerous drivers off the roads, like extended ignition interlock device sentences for high BAC and repeat drunk drivers.

“I have no doubt that this will become a growing movement, which is why it’s so important that we preemptively educate now, rather than wait for bad ideas to gain momentum,” says Berman. “And while Wisconsin may deny .05 passage, the history of Prohibition and .08 is that once enough states pass a law, it easily becomes a federal mandate.”

For more information: abionline.org/issue/ lowering-the-blood-alcohol-arrest-level/

INTERSECTION OF ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA A recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) showed that marijuana, opioids and non-alcoholic drugs are more likely to be found in drivers killed in vehicular crashes than alcohol. Yet the intersection of alcohol and marijuana (as well as other drugs) remain a gray area, especially as more states seek to legalize recreational marijuana.

“While recreational marijuana is not yet legal in Wisconsin, there’s definitely a www.tlw.org

growing movement to make that a reality,” says Berman. “In my mind, it’s only a matter of time before it spreads to a majority of states and could even be addressed at the federal level. And as marijuana legalization becomes increasingly commonplace, so does ‘driving while high.’”

Conclusive evidence does not yet exist, but traffic safety data seems to suggest a correlated rise in traffic deaths with the passage of marijuana legalization laws.

The opioid epidemic is further complicating the matter. For instance, GHSA’s study found that in 2016, 44 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for known drugs, up from 28 percent in 2006. More than half of these drivers had marijuana, opioids or a combination of the two in their system. In that same period, the presence of alcohol in fatal crashes dropped slightly from 41 percent in 2006 to 38 percent in 2016.

“Concerns around marijuana-impaired driving must be addressed, but in the absence of a roadside tests for marijuana and other drugs, several states have instead pursued policies tying alcohol consumption at the sub-.08 BAC limit with the presence of marijuana in a driver’s system.” says Berman.

ABI works to prevent laws arbitrarily linking moderate and responsible alcohol use with the largely unknown impairment measures of a newly legal drug. ABI also believes that after years of advancement in the fight against drunk driving, policymakers and traffic safety officials should shift some of their resources and attention toward the new drugged driving threat.

For more information: From ABI: abionline.org/issue/intersection-of-alcohol-and-marijuana/ and GHSA report: www.ghsa.org/resources/DUID18

ALCOHOL AND HEALTH ABI supports moderate, responsible alcohol consumption consistent with one’s own medical needs, citing a longstanding consensus that moderate alco-

hol consumption can offer some health benefits, such as lowering the risk of mortality, Type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular diseases.

However, there have been persistent efforts to demonize all manners of alcohol consumption. In 2016, for example, some researchers began pushing dubious science suggesting that even small amounts of alcohol could increase the risk of various cancers. This pushed many public health activists to take a zero-tolerance approach to consumption, despite the fact that even the least alcohol-friendly studies can only attribute mere fractions of a percent of increased cancer risk to a lifetime of moderate, responsible alcohol consumption.

“In order to curb the tide of restrictive regulations on alcohol products, ABI often publishes editorials to correct the misinterpretation of scientific studies tying moderate consumption with negative health impacts,” says Berman. “We remind the public of the protective effects that responsible consumption can have.”

For more information: abionline.org/ issue/alcohol-and-health/

TARIFFS AND TAXES Recently, President Trump instituted a 10 percent tariff on aluminum and a 25 percent tariff on steel, which will burden large parts of the alcohol industry by increasing packaging costs.

“ABI has begun to publicly argue that the supposed benefits of such a policy are far outweighed by the broader economic and employment consequences that we will experience,” says Berman.

In a recent opinion piece, ABI Managing Director Sarah Longwell laid out what these tariffs will cost the U.S. beer industry, which fills and sells about 36 billion aluminum cans and bottles annually, employs 2 million employees and contributes $350 billion to the

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economy each year. She noted that the 10-percent trade penalty on aluminum is estimated to cost beer producers in the United States $348 million annually and put about 20,000 jobs associated with the beer industry at risk. These increased production costs will trickle down and ultimately affect restaurant and tavern owners, as well as patrons, in the form of higher prices.

THE BIG PICTURE AND THE TLW In addition to asking Berman to outline ABI’s core issues, we also asked him about the future of the beverage alcohol industry and how Tavern League members can have a hand in shaping it.

“The decision to levy these tariffs is not a recipe for economic success and is uncharacteristic of the current administration’s otherwise pro-business, pro-jobs agenda,” Longwell wrote in the op-ed.

Q: WHERE DO YOU SEE THE INDUSTRY HEADING IN TERMS OF REGULATION?

On a related note, one issue constantly facing alcohol producers, distributors, retailers and consumers are excise taxes. While the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act included provisions that lowered the federal tax burden for distillers, brewers, and winemakers alike, they are set to expire at the end of 2019. “ABI will be supporting the extension of these new rates as well as addressing attempts to raise state and local alcohol taxes,” says Berman.

A: “In some ways, alcohol laws are being loosened across the country, opening up more choice and access to consumers, as well as giving businesses involved in the alcohol industry an opportunity to grow and thrive. Some examples include Indiana’s recent embrace of Sunday alcohol sales, a drop in federal alcohol excise taxes, and the removal of Utah’s Zion Curtain regulation, which mandated that a barrier shielded the mixing of alcoholic drinks from the view of customers.

IGNITION INTERLOCKS ABI has long supported the use of ignition interlock devices (IID), or in-vehicle breathalyzers, for high-BAC and repeat drunk driving offenders who are responsible for a vast majority of alcohol-related fatalities. However, ABI does not support mandatory IID laws for first-time, low BAC offenders.

“It siphons finite traffic safety resources away from those offenders who are responsible for the most carnage on the road,” says Berman. “Wisconsin does not currently have an all-offender IID law, but if current trends continue, that could change.”

While it is more of a federal issue, ABI opposes equipping all vehicles with alcohol-sensing technology. The federal government is currently working with major automakers on the Drivers Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) program, which is developing passive in-car alcohol sensors that can instantly read a driver’s BAC and is intended to be standard equipment, just like seatbelts and airbags, in all passenger cars. As it takes time for the body to process alcohol, these sensors will likely be set with a safety margin well below the current legal .08 BAC limit, potentially as low as .03 or .04. A limit this low would essentially prevent a driver from consuming a single drink with dinner before driving home.

For more information: IIDs: abionline.org/issue/ignition-interlocks/ and alcohol-sensing technology: abionline.org/issue/alcohol-sensing-technology-in-all-cars/ TLW

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“But, there’s also movement in the other direction.

Utah recently lowered their legal BAC limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05 BAC, a policy that will likely lower on-premise alcohol consumption by threatening to jail those who choose to enjoy little more than a single drink with dinner. And then there’s the growing trend of linking even moderate alcohol consumption with extreme health consequences, such as cancer. This could result in efforts to mandate health warning labels on all alcohol products, which is currently being pushed in places like Ireland.”

Q: HOW CAN TLW MEMBERS HELP LEAD THE CHARGE IN THESE ISSUES, BOTH IN WISCONSIN AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL? A: “It’s very important that these issues are confronted quickly and consistently as they pop-up, especially in cases like the fight against .05 laws, where the key to winning the debate is educating the public and pressuring lawmakers early on.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin, under the leadership of Pete Madland, has been a great partner not only in helping us fund broad research and education programs but also helping steer the direction and priority-setting of the ABI. Having Tavern League as a partner is an incredible asset to ABI and the industry.”

www.tlw.org

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA and opened the door for micro-distilleries across the country.

F

or Tito’s Handmade Vodka, it all started in Austin, Texas, in the 1990s, on the very same land the company occupies today, says Courtney Nuss, Tito’s Wisconsin area manager. It’s been over 20 years, but Tito’s still prides itself in making vodka in batches, using old-fashioned pot stills, taste-testing every batch to make sure customers get the best possible drink. While there’s no cookiecutter formula for success, Bert “Tito” Beveridge’s passion and devotion to creating the very best — among so many other factors — has enabled the brand to move to the forefront of an eversaturated vodka market.

When Tito embarked on opening a micro-distillery in 1996, there was no known method for creating one.

From scouring library books about the distilling process and perfecting his method, to poring over Prohibition-era photos to design the best possible equipment, Tito was driven by his passion and perfectionism to get it just right. After fighting to establish the legal right to operate a distillery in Texas and becoming the state’s first operator, Tito sparked a craft revolution www.tlw.org

From the beginning, it was Tito’s intention to create a smooth and pure vodka that connoisseurs and everyday drinkers alike would love to sip. In a oneroom distillery shack built with friends, he worked day and night cooking vodka and catching sleep whenever possible. He perfected his corn-based recipe by employing the same pot still methods applied to fine single malt scotches and the highest-end French cognacs. The clarity and unmatched smoothness of Tito’s Handmade Vodka is the cleanest expression of the spirit, and one of very few vodkas suitable to be enjoyed neat.

Tito has turned his handmade vodka into one of the fastest growing spirit brands in the country through the power of word-of-mouth and an army of loyal followers. Today the brand is sold in all 50 states and growing in international reach. The values and mission of the brand are simple: make one product and make it well. And then use it to make the world a better place.

A unique aspect of the Tito’s Handmade Vodka brand is Tito’s devotion to philanthropy, exemplified in the company’s “Love, Tito’s” and “Vodka for Dog People” programs. Through the “Love, Tito’s” program, employees are empowered to give back to local, national, and global charities supporting disaster relief, the environment, military and veterans, healthcare and medical research, food and beverage industry workers, arts and culture organizations and the LGBTQ community.

The “Vodka for Dog People” program came to fruition due to the distillery’s location in a rural area outside of Austin, and in conjunction with Tito’s passion for animals. When he first start-

ed distilling his vodka, Tito encountered an array of homeless, feral dogs.

He then made it his mission to feed and rescue what are now known as “Distillery Dogs.” Over 20 years later, the “Vodka for Dog People” program is devoted to supporting the truest form of love on the planet: our pets.

Finally, Tito’s is a universal brand with a simple target, the U.S. vodka drinker. As the vodka business continues to grow, and with so much great vodka out there to choose from, the company is thankful for those that have chosen Tito’s as their go-to, according to Nuss.

“We’ve seen prices change and flavors come and go, but we know that people stick with brands they trust and treat them right. Our process hinges on human involvement, experience and the desire to help others.

It’s simple and it works. And that’s why, over 20 years later, we’re still here and we’re still thriving,” explains Nuss.

As part of the “Love, Tito’s” program, Tito’s will be giving back to the charities that mean so much to TLW members. Tito’s will donate $2 for every new placement of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and $1 for every case sold during July, August and September, with a total donation of up to $5,000 to the Tavern League of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation. Please reach out to Katie Riehle (kriehle@breakthrubeverage.com) or your Breakthru Beverage Wisconsin rep and mention the “Love, Tito’s TLW Campaign” to solidify your gift! TLW

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BY AMANDA N. WEGNER What topic generates the most calls to Tavern League of Wisconsin officers and staff? Music licensing fees.

“I had two questions on this already today,” said Tavern League of Wisconsin President Chris Marsicano the day On Premise chatted with him for this article. “The top questions are usually ‘Do I have to pay them?’ ‘Is this a scam?’ and ‘How did they base their fees?’”

While the questions are typically the same … and so are the answers: No, it’s not a scam, and yes, you have to pay them, the amount of information and misinformation out there means the calls keep coming. “Music licensing fees are a source of confusion and frustration for members — we get it,” says Marsicano, owner of Delavan’s The Village Supper Club. “But it’s also a necessary evil of doing business.”

The right to play music for patrons or have televisions in your establishment comes at a cost, a cost that many members and businesses owners know is necessary, though difficult to justify. But the music licensing fee landscape has gotten better.

Music licensing fees are charged by the major performance rights organizations (PROs) in the United States: Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC). These organizations collect licensing fees on behalf of the songwriters, composers and music publishers they represent and distribute them as royalties to those members. These fees are the responsibility of facility owners, not the performers themselves in the case of live music.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin has played a major role in making music licensing fees more palatable through the years. Prior to 1998, businesses of all sizes had to secure a music license for music played via radio or TV, but thanks to the work of U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Menomonee Falls) and the Tavern League, the Fairness in Music Licensing Act (FMLA) was passed, providing exemptions for radio and TV use in certain establishments, easing the burden of music licensing for some small businesses by more clearly defining the “Homestyle Exemption” of the original copyright law.

The original “Homestyle Exemption” was established in a 1975 Supreme Court case involving George Aiken, the owner of a small chicken shack who played a radio in his kitchen while cooking, which customers could hear. The court ruled that because it was a “homestyle” personal music device and Aiken didn’t intend for the music to be a public performance,

HAVE QUESTIONS? BMI: 888-689-5264 or bmi.com/about/entry/contact us_music_licensing ASCAP: 800-505-4052 or ascap.com/help SESAC: 800-826-9996 or sesac.com/Licensing/Licensing.aspx

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it was not a violation of copyright law.

FMLA clarified that the “Homestyle Exemption” allows bars, cafes and restaurants to play the radio and TV programming, but it does not authorize the playing of recorded music.

Specifically, small restaurants less than 2,000 square feet and bars less than 3,750 square feet that only play the radio or television, are not charging a cover, and aren’t using more than six speakers are exempt from music licensing fees. Playing recorded music, such as music from a personal collection, live cover band performances, jukeboxes and Internet radio does not fall under the FMLA exemption and requires the facility owner to pay music licensing fees.

Any establishment that doesn’t fit the parameters noted above but is playing music in a public setting, regardless of whether it is a live band, recorded music, DJ, karaoke or a jukebox, must get permission from the copyright owner. That’s where the PROs come in.

“A BMI license saves music users a significant amount of time and expense of contacting each songwriter or composer for permission to play their music publicly and protects against the penalties involved in copyright infringement,” says Jessica Frost, executive director of industry relations for BMI. A BMI music license offers copyright clearance to publicly play more than 13 million musical works. The ASCAP’s repertory covers 11.5 million musical works.

For those establishments that are subject to paying music licensing fees, there are several factors that go into determining the cost, says Frost and John Johnson, ASCAP’s senior vice president of licensing. Those include the size of the establishment, the type of music being played (recorded, live, DJ, karaoke, etc.), whether a cover is charged, and how often music is performed. Both PROs use the fire code to measure a venue’s size as it is an impartial number that is set by a third party and is easily available. www.tlw.org

“Licenses for smaller establishments are very inexpensive and generally cost about $2 or $3 per day,” says Johnson.

For tech-savvy tavern owners that might use streaming services such as Pandora or Sirius, it’s important to ensure that you’re using a licensed version. “There are several commercial streaming services that provide licensed background music to businesses, such as Pandora for Business,” says Johnson. “However, those fees only cover the performances their service provides, and do not provide the permission needed for other performances, such as live music, DJs, CDs, MP3s or personal subscription-based streaming services, etc.”

Both Frost and Johnson note that their organizations seek to work with businesses, not against them, but will take legal action if necessary.

“It’s important to understand that we only take legal action as a last resort and spend a lot of time, sometimes years, trying to educate businesses about the value that music brings to their establishment, the requirements of copyright law, and the importance of maintaining a music license,” says Frost.

“After some time, if our licensing efforts are unsuccessful, however, we may need to take legal action. At the end of the day, it is BMI’s job to protect its songwriters and make sure they are fairly compensated if their music is performed in a public setting,” she explains.

Adds Johnson: “The vast majority of establishments we approach recognize that using music is vital to attracting customers and understand that the songwriters of that music deserve to be compensated for their creative work. They appreciate the value of an ASCAP license and understand that the ASCAP license is part of the cost of doing business. But every now and then, a business makes the decision to ignore the legal rights of the music creators that help them make money. At that time, ASCAP may choose to file suit against the establishment for copyright infringement due to the unauthorized public performance of our members’ copyrighted musical works.

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH PROS TLW President Chris Marsicano offers his three top pieces of the advice for dealing with the PROs: 1. When you get these notices, you do have to deal with them and you do have to pay. You can’t ignore them, or they will come after you.

It is legitimate.

2. If you feel that the fees are exorbitant for what you’re doing, call them and talk to them. Be honest; they will work with you and adjust it.

3. Tavern League has worked with BMI and ASCAP to secure discounts for its members, so make sure those discounts are applied.

For instance, BMI offers up to 20 percent off for Tavern League members.

We view such litigation as a ‘last resort’ but we do file when necessary.”

Marsicano believes a big reason for the confusion with music licensing is that for most members, invoices are automatically sent and there is typically little to no communication between the establishment and the PRO. “We all get so much stuff in the mail that sometimes it’s hard to know what’s a scam and what’s for real,” explains Marsicano. “And many members are getting invoiced automatically.”

Should that automatic invoice look suspicious and out of line with your musical offerings, know that you can call the PRO. “If they have you down for a certain rate and you think it’s excessive because you only have music for the summer or only weekends, tell them what you’re doing,” says Marsicano.

“They send an invoice without knowing anything about the establishment. But they will work with you for the most part.”

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THE MIC COALITION Through its affiliation with the American Beverage Licensees (ABL), Tavern League of Wisconsin is represented in the national MIC Coalition, a group of businesses, trade associations and other organizations that wants choice transparency in music licensing, says John Bodnovich, ABL executive director. Specifically, the MIC Coalition wants a public database of copyright ownership and licensing information to better identify and compensate rights-holders. Wisconsin Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner is helping move this request forward at the federal level as co-sponsor of H.R. 3350, the Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act. There is also a legal component. Because BMI and ASCAP basically have a duopoly on music licensing, they are subject to consent decrees to prevent them from colluding. In place since the 1940s, the federal Department of Justice is currently reviewing these consent decrees and considering their termination, and the MIC Coalition has started a petition asking the DOJ to not do this. “It’s not a perfect situation now, but terminating these consent decrees would create chaos for business owners like Tavern League members,” says Bodnovich.

Members are invited to contact their federal legislators regarding H.R. 3350. They are also asked to sign the “Keep the Decrees” petition, which can be found at mic-coalition.org/keepthedecrees.

Having multiple PROs only adds to the confusion. SESAC was long viewed as a minor player to BMI and ASCAP as it formerly focused more on Christian and gospel music. Now, SESAC has brought on mainstream artists such as Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Zac Brown and Lady Antebellum. There is also another minor PRO called Global Music Rights, or GMR. “In the past these PROs weren’t as prevalent,” says Marsicano, “but now they are starting to bill members as they’ve taken on more popular, mainstream artists.”

Turnover in the industry doesn’t help the confusion, either, he adds. “With the turnover in businesses, a lot of people who are new to the industry don’t understand it.” But neither of these reasons are good enough to not pay music licensing fees if your facility is subject to them. “It’s one of those things that most owners, the majority of owners, are not happy paying or dealing with them,” says Marsicano.

“But it’s a cost of doing business.” TLW

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LEGISLATIVE NOTES LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FORMED TO ADDRESS CHAPTER 125 ENFORCEMENT ISSUES

BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

T

he beginning paragraph of Chapter 125 of the Department of Revenue guidelines outlines the legislative intent of the Chapter to support and enforce the three-tier system in Wisconsin.

It states: This chapter shall be construed as an enactment of the legislature’s support for the three-tier system for alcohol beverage production, distribution, and sale that, through uniform statewide regulation, provides this state regulatory authority over the production, storage, distribution, transportation, sale, and consumption of alcohol beverages by and to its citizens, for the benefit of the public health and welfare and this state’s economic stability.

The Department of Revenue has jurisdiction in Wisconsin for enforcing Chapter 125, which serves as the regulatory statutes for the licensed premise industry. Over the last few years there have been a variety of questions raised regarding what appear to be changes of enforcement on certain licensing issues.

Chapter 125 but that is exactly what many barns are doing today. Most of the so called wedding barns do not carry appropriate commercial insurance and their customers would have no legal recourse if an accident were to occur on their premise.

WINERIES Another example where enforcement has changed at the Department is the regulation of selling beer at wineries. Chapter 125 prohibits the sale of beer at wineries. The department has stated, however, that wineries can sell beer if the sale occurs in a separate room from where wine is sold. Wineries are not following the law and selling beer at their winery is in violation of the law. The department has done nothing despite our repeated contacts to enforce the law.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO BEGIN WORK Given these and other enforcement issues the Legislature recently formed a special committee to look into these issues.

The Legislative Council Study on Alcohol Beverage Enforcement has been named and will begin meeting throughout the summer to review the Department of Revenue’s regulatory and enforcement structure in Wisconsin. TLW Executive Director Pete Madland has been appointed to the committee which will be chaired by Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander).

PARTY BARNS For example, as recent as five years ago the department advised a number of barn owners that a liquor/beer license was required to have alcohol at a wedding or party at their premise. Now the department’s position is that a license is not required if there is no sale of alcohol – meaning the barn owner can rent out their building and the renting party can bring whatever booze they would like. Unlicensed barn venues are not required to follow any provisions in Chapter 125, including closing times, licensed bartenders or purchasing alcohol from a licensed wholesaler. In most venues the smoking ban would not apply.

We are hopeful the creation of the Special Legislative Council Study Committee will shed much needed light on the lack of enforcement of extremely important provisions of Chapter 125 as it relates to the three tier system in Wisconsin. It is not fair that some businesses are provided an unfair advantage over others. There must be fair and uniform treatment of the laws for all businesses in Wisconsin – hopefully this committee will make the appropriate recommendations to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all three tiers.

Under this interpretation of the law, a tavern could open an unlicensed back room or unlicensed hall connected to their bar and not have to follow any provisions of Chapter 125 as long as they did not directly sell their products to “patrons.” Such unlicensed venues have no closing hours or smoking ban. A customer could purchase their alcohol legally from a licensed tavern and simply move into the unlicensed premise after closing time to legally continue drinking. It would likely come as a surprise to local elected officials as well as the public if taverns operated unlicensed drinking halls outside the regulations of

The scope of the new committee is outlined here: The Study Committee is directed to review the structure and staffing of the Department of Revenue’s efforts to enforce Wisconsin’s alcohol beverage laws found in Ch. 125, Stats., and compare the regulatory and enforcement structure of alcohol law enforcement efforts in other states. The committee shall further examine whether establishments and venues that serve alcohol are properly licensed to do so. The committee may recommend legislation that ensures the proper enforcement of alcohol beverage laws, including increased clarity and education. TLW

www.tlw.org

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL STUDY ON ALCOHOL BEVERAGES ENFORCEMENT

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2018 fall convention preview

TLW HOMEGROWN - “ONLY IN WISCONSIN”

TLW Homegrown “Only in Wisconsin” TLW 83RD FALL CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW

OCTOBER 1-4, 2018 KALAHARI RESORT 1305 Kalahari Dr., Wisconsin Dells • Kalahari Resort & Convention Center

HOTEL

RATES

KALAHARI RESORT – HOST HOTEL

$114- $179 Single/Double Occupancy

1305 Kalahari Drive

Cancellation Policy: Cancel at least

Wisconsin, Dells, WI 53965

72 hours prior to arrival to receive

For reservations, call:

full refund less $25 processing fee.

877-253-5466 and ask for

Less than 72 hours prior to arrival

TLW room block

forfeits entire deposit.

Additional Person $20 – plus taxes

Cut-off is Friday, August 31, 2018

2018 Fall Convention Registration Form Name

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Signature(s)

/

Business Name Mailing Address City/State/Zip Business Phone

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

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$50

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$60

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Please complete and mail this form with payment to: TLW, 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005 20

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2018 fall convention preview SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Annual Food Drive: Please bring non-perishable food or a cash donation.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. TLW Board of Directors Meeting Guava Room 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Food Service Sanitation Course & Exam - Portia Room (Class Registration is open to members and non-members) 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. Board Lunch - Tamarind Room 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange

North Atrium, Reg. Booth 1 8:00 P.M. to Midnight Dells/Delton County Tavern League Welcome Party LOCATION: Bobbers Island Grill BAND: TBA

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange North Atrium, Reg. Booth 1 8:45 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Audit Committee - Ebony Room 8:45 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Nominating Committee - Empress Room 8:45 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. Rules Committee – Guava Room 9:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. General Session – A, B, G, H Convention Center Attendance Drawing Host League Intro – Southern District Vice President Jim Pickett Opening Ceremony – Third District Director and Dells/Delton President Keith Koehler Color Guard Present Colors President’s Report – Chris Marsicano Secretary’s Report – Erin Pulaski Treasurer’s Report – Tom Dahlen Keynote Speaker – TBA TLW Social Media Presentation Executive Director’s Report – Pete Madland VetsRoll Presentation Special Club Awards Member of the Year Award Attendance Drawing First-Timers Orientation

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12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Trade Show - 1 - 8 Convention Center Tournament for TIPAC – Bean Bag Toss 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Silent Auction for TIPAC – Tamboti Room 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Seminar – TBA General Session Room 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Seminar – TBA General Session Room 8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. Cocktail Party & Costume Contest C, D, E, F Convention Center THEME: TLW HOMEGROWN “ONLY IN WISCONSIN” COSTUME: Wisconsin Original, Sports Teams, Products, Etc. BAND: Retro Specz 9:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Live Auction

(Proceeds to DIRECT GIVERS)

C, D, E, F Convention Center

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Registration & $2 Bill Exchange North Atrium, Reg. Booth 1 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. General Business Meeting A, B, G, H Convention Center Attendance Drawing ABL Report - Terry Harvath and ABL Executive Director - John Bodnovich Legislative Report - Scott Stenger Resolutions Report Parade of Candidates Good and Welfare Attendance Drawing 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Trade Show – 1 - 8 Convention Center 9:00 A.M. to 1:45 P.M. Silent Auction

Tamboti Room 11:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. SafeRide Meeting – General

Session Room 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. Vendors Drawings Trade Show Area (Exhibitors must still be set-up to win) 3:15 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. District Caucuses: 1st & 9th Districts – Aloeswood 6th District – Mangrove 2nd District – Marula 8th District – Aralia 4:15 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. District Caucuses: 3rd District – Aloeswood 4th District – Mangrove 5th District – Marula 7th District – Aralia 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Cocktails with the President –

$25 Donation to TIPAC

C, D & E Convention Center

Sponsored by: The Meyer Brothers

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. Voting – Delegates Only Mangrove Room 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. General Business Session A, B, G, H Convention Center Attendance Drawing CORE Drawing & Check Presentation Audit Committee Report Nomination Committee Report Parade of Candidates Rules Committee Report Host League Drawing Foundation Raffle Trade Show Buyers Raffle Silent Auction Raffle Good & Welfare President’s Closing Remarks DVD Presentation Attendance Drawing 12:00 P.M. Dells/Delton County President’s Reception - Keith Koehler The Keg & Patio Bar & Grill 732 Oak St. Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 Note: Times and events are subject to change without notice.

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2018 fall convention preview

TLW HOMEGROWN - “ONLY IN WISCONSIN”

EACH YEAR AT THE FALL CONVENTION, 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 1:45 p.m.

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 TLW Support.

Donating an item is simple.

1. P lease 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 fall convention.

•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

2018 FALL CONVENTION PREVIEW If your league or members will be bringing auction items to the Fall Convention, 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 Sept. 21, 2018 to Judy Vandenhouten, E2904 County Rd. J, Kewaunee, WI 54216 22

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2018 fall convention preview SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THE TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN

MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD The award is presented annually to a deserving TLW member at the fall convention. Please take a moment to nominate a member who you feel is deserving of this award. The recipient is chosen based on service to the Tavern League of Wisconsin as well as service to community and family.

Many members are qualified to receive this award.

Complete the form and be sure to include any information such as local awards, media coverage, newspaper clippings, endorsements, references, etc. Please send nominations to the TLW office by September 21, 2018.

Last year’s member of the year was Dennis “Salvo” Salverson.

auction item form

2018 FALL CONVENTION PREVIEW Name Business City, State, Zip Local League Please state why you feel this person should receive the TLW Member of the Year Award.

(Attach additional information and supporting documentation if necessary.)

Your information: Name Local League Phone Number Date

Thank you for submitting this entry, please return to the TLW office: 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53713.

Deadline is September 21, 2018. www.tlw.org

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LEAGUE PROFILE DOOR COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE Individual members, adds Scott, are active in their giving as well. For instance, the Graybills hosted a Christmas tree lighting event that raised close to $2,000 in donations for the local humane society. Another member restaurant regularly donates food to the food pantry.

Active TLW league leaders in Door County include Mike and Barb Lautenbach.

S

ince the 1930s, the Door County Tavern League has been representing the taverns, restaurants, golf courses, bowling alleys, hotels and more that help make the county a Wisconsin vacation destination.

“We’re spread from Brussels to Washington Island, covering 60 miles on the peninsula,” says Barb Lautenbach, who is secretary/treasurer of the Door County Tavern League and owns Mike’s Port Pub & Grill in Sturgeon Bay with her husband, Mike.

This county league currently has about 60 members across those 60 miles. This includes three members on Washington Island, which is only accessible by ferry, but the league makes a point to have a meeting on the island once each year.

“We have some members that have just small corner bars, some that are hotels, and a brewery,” says Scott Graybill, who owns the Coyote Roadhouse in Bailey’s Harbor with his wife, Carrie. “We have bowling alleys and golf courses as well, some campgrounds and a distillery. We have a lot of associate members, too.”

“We have individual members within the league who have done fundraisers on their own, and because we can apply for matching funds within the league, if your establishment raises $1,000, we’ll vote in our meeting whether to provide those additional dollars,” says Carrie Graybill, a member of the Door County Tavern League’s membership committee. “That’s a nice perk, because we’re helping our members, too.”

Another perk that the Door County Tavern League is trying to work out is bringing the ride-sharing service Lyft to the county to supplement its SafeRide program. In May, according to Carrie Graybill, a Tavern League member hosted an informational session with the Lyft coordinator for Wisconsin. “Because there are lots of Uber and Lyft drivers in Brown County and it’s going wonderfully there, we were hoping to learn a little more,” she says.

One concern with Lyft, noted Scott Graybill, is the availability of drivers later at night. “We don’t want people stranded at the end of night,” he says. “We are remote; every municipality is roughly 10 miles apart, and there’s no cheap form of transportation. It’s really a work in progress.”

Door County’s SafeRide program provides about 1,000 rides each year. Using a combination of taxi service (which is only available in Sturgeon Bay) and Good Samaritan drivers, members purchase coupons for $2 each. The bar or taxi is then reimbursed for each ride. “What we have works pretty good,” says Door County Tavern League President Mike Lautenbach, “but Lyft would be a nice addition given the geography of our county.” TLW

The Door County Tavern League’s diverse membership has three fundraisers a year, which helped the league make nearly $150,000 in charitable contributions last year. Events include a holiday party, held annually in January, a bowling tournament and a golf tournament. The bowling tournament typically benefits the county’s SafeRide program.

In addition to supporting local charitable organizations like Special Olympics, P.A.T.H. (Providing Access to Help for Families with Special Needs), Shop with a Cop, AMVETS and more, the league provides two $250 scholarships annually for students attending the hospitality program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay.

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Scott and Carrie Graybill own the Coyote Roadhouse in Bailey’s Harbor.

www.tlw.org

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT MR. G’S SUPPER CLUB AND BALLROOM

B

ob and Mary Geitner, owners of Mr. G’s Supper Club and Ballroom in Sturgeon Bay, have been carrying on a tradition that far exceeds their 37 years in the business.

“Our establishment was actually started by my mother and father, then run by my brother and sister-in-law. I went off to college and when I came back, my wife and I took over and have had it since 1981,” says Bob Geitner. “Our name goes back a long way. Restaurants have long been part of the Geitner history.”

Bob’s parents, Bob and Lorraine, owned the Nightingale Restaurant in Sturgeon Bay for over 20 years before purchasing Mr. G’s in 1973, known then as Paldora Supper Club and the Fernwood Gardens Ballroom. Though the name of the establishment may have changed, the Geitners still pay homage to the original namesake in its event spaces: The Paldora Banquet Room seats up to 100 guests and is perfect for an intimate wedding or bridal shower. The Fernwood Gardens Ballroom, which was recently remodeled, is an old-fashioned setting for weddings and can seat up to 400 guests.

“The ballroom was a big draw in the ‘50s and ‘60s,” says Geitner. “We have the oldest [ballroom] in the county and probably the largest.”

At the beginning of the Geitner ownership, supper club was part of Mr. G’s name, although some may know it as Mr. G’s Logan Creek Grille. “We were Mr. G’s Supper Club originally, but because we got so many people from Illinois who would call up wanting to know what a “super” club was, we changed our name for a few years to Mr. G’s Logan Creek Grill for the beautiful creek we’re by,” explains Geitner. “But now with all the exposure of supper clubs, it’s something people are looking for, something people in Wisconsin want, and we’re going back to it.”

In the summer, Mr. G’s is open Tuesday through Saturday; in the winter, the hours are cut back to just Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Bob’s wife, Mary, is in charge of the kitchen and offers a full menu with everything from prime rib to pan-fried perch. But, accroding to Bob, she’s best known for her barbecue ribs.

“Mary does great ribs. She even won the Door County Rib Fest contest a few times!” says Bob. In Door County, the Geitner name isn’t just associated with the restaurant business — it’s closely aligned with the Tavern League as well. www.tlw.org

Mr. G’s Supper Club has been in the Geitner family for 45 years.

Bob Geitner first became president of the Door County Tavern League in 1982 at one of his first meetings, though he never raised his hand for the position. “I went to the men’s room during the meeting and when I came back, they said I was the new president,” Geitner recalls with a chuckle. He served again in the 1990s, winning the position with a shake of the dice: “No one wanted the position, so we shook for it.”

Whether in a leadership position, serving on a committee as he does now or simply being an advocate for the Tavern League, Geitner has worked hard to put the Door County Tavern League on the strong footing it has today, including helping to grow the membership and getting SafeRide established in the county.

“What’s kept me a member and involved in the TLW is not only what the organization does on the local, state and federal levels to help our businesses, but what members do to serve our communities,” says Geitner. “When I go out and talk to potential new members, I tell them about all the good things Tavern League does. It’s actually about people helping people. Some think the Tavern League is just unionized bar ownership and protecting yourself, but we do an awful lot of good and I’m proud to be part of the Tavern League.” TLW MR. G’S SUPPER CLUB AND BALLROOM 5890 State Hwy. 57, Sturgeon Bay 920-823-2112 mrgslogancreekgrille.com facebook.com/MrGsSupperClub

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CHARITY SPOTLIGHT CHOP ‘N’ SHOP WITH A COP

E

ach year, 30 Door County children get to spend time with local law enforcement officers during the holidays. But it’s all for a good cause.

Since 2003, the Joint Professional Law Enforcement Association of Door County has offered its Chop ‘N’ Shop with a Cop event, which pairs local children from families in need with a law enforcement officer for a day, explains Lt. Tammy Sternard of the Door County Sheriff’s Department. Together, they hunt for the perfect Christmas tree at a local tree farm, then head to Target where each child is given $150 to shop for gifts for their families. The day concludes with gift wrapping and a pizza party. Families are also given a turkey and all the trimmings needed for a healthy holiday family dinner.

“Officers who participate in our organization share the common belief that our children really are the future and providing them with positive interaction with law enforcement at a young age is a win-win situation for the children, community and law enforcement,” says Sternard. “One of our organization’s main goals is to provide children the opportunity to spend a day with us in a friendly, relaxed, non-confrontational environment.”

Through referrals from school principals and counselors within Door County, 30 families are selected to participate in the event each year.

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An annual event now in its 16th year, Chop ‘N’ Shop with a Cop relies solely on the generosity of individuals and businesses within the community to help make the day possible. This includes the Door County Tavern League. “The Door County Tavern League has been a sponsor for years and their donation and support of the program is very much appreciated,” says Sternard.

The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns by sending letters and utilizing social media requesting assistance. It costs approximately $12,000 to service the entire project and the organization is currently in the planning stages for this year’s Chop ‘N’ Shop with a Cop event.

In addition to Chop ‘N’ Shop, the Joint Professional Law Enforcement Association of Door County also provides support for other local children’s organizations and community activities throughout the year. “When our funding allows we award scholarships for youth in our community to help them with continuing education,” adds Sternard. “Our program’s success is only made possible with the kind donations we receive from local businesses, organizations, and generous individuals.” TLW INTERESTED IN DONATING? DROP DONATIONS OFF OR MAIL TO:

CHOP ‘N’ SHOP Door County Sheriff’s Department, Attn: Lt. Tammy Sternard 1203 S. Duluth Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 (Please address checks to: Joint Professional Law Enforcement Association of Door County or JPLA.)

www.tlw.org

MEET THE DIRECTOR MEET THE DIRECTOR: JUDY VANDENHOUTEN 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 July/ August issue, we’d like to introduce you to Judy Vandenhouten, 6th district director.

Q. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, INCLUDING YOUR FAMILY AND THE LOCATION AND TYPE OF BUSINESS YOU OWN. I was born and raised in the Manitowoc area. I have five grown children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Our business is a corner bar located eight miles south of Kewaunee.

Most of our clientele are neighbors, which makes it sort of a home-away-from-home for many. We have been here for 34 years, so it’s been great to see the generations grow up with us.

ber of wineries in our area and that issue is probably most important to us.

Q. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A DISTRICT DIRECTOR? I really enjoy the comradery with the people in my district and hope that I serve them as best I can. I have met such unbelievable people – it really makes it a pleasure.

Q. HOW ELSE ARE YOU INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY? I try to get involved with as many local events as I can, as time allows, of course. I have helped organize benefits, fundraisers and social events for a number of local organizations. TLW

Have you found us on Facebook yet?

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 6TH DISTRICT DIRECTOR? When I learned about the TLW it was actually a no-brainer to become a member of an association that works for their members and goes all out to protect and help them. We have been members for over 20 years and consider our dues the biggest investment we can make in our business.

I have been on the board for 18 years, and president of the Kewaunee County Tavern League for 16 years.

Search for: Tavern League of Wisconsin and become a fan!

Q. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBERS TODAY? As I am sure all members agree, the issues pertaining to wineries, breweries and “barns” are the hottest items of legislation facing us at this time. With our leadership and members getting involved as needed, I’m sure that the resolution will be a successful outcome for us.

Q. ARE THERE SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THE 6TH DISTRICT THAT YOU’D LIKE TO WORK ON? I don’t believe the sixth district really has an issue not seen in other places in the state. We do have a rather large numwww.tlw.org

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FEATURED AFFILIATES BADGER MATS LLC

CHAMBERS TRAVEL

Nick Filardo is the third-generation owner of Mineral Point-based Badger Mats LLC. Filardo says his grandfather started the company in 1947 after he left his job as a chemistry teacher. “He created a window cleaner and thought he’d make more money selling cleaning supplies than teaching,” says Filardo.

Colleen Chambers and her husband opened Chambers Travel nearly 30 years ago, and they enjoy working with TLW members from all over the state to plan trips to destinations throughout the world.

The company was formerly known as Wisconsin River Valley Chemical Company, but Filardo’s father was achieving more success selling floor mats than chemicals. In the early 1990s Nick took over and since then has been offering floor mats and other matting needs for clients. He enjoys educating customers on the benefits of owning matting products versus renting them, especially if they are spending the cost to clean and maintain them anyway.

TLW members especially appreciate the anti-fatigue mats for behind the bar, Filardo says. The company offers a product called Super Cushion, which he says has been their No. 1 seller for its easy cleaning characteristics as well as how easy it is to roll up. “The best thing is that they [the mats] are unbelievable for the feet and back,” Filardo adds, explaining that these half-inch-thick mats can be custom-sized in 2-, 3- or 4-feet-wide and up to 60-feet-long.

“I think over the years people used to think bar mats were a luxury to have,” he says. “Many studies show the health benefits of working on an anti-fatigue mat. We have charts that show how you have no blood flow in your legs standing on a hard surface, compared to standing on an anti-fatigue mat.”

The other top seller for Badger Mats is the logo mat, personalized for individual businesses. “Logo mats are just blowing up the industry right now,” Filardo says. “People are really wanting to brand their businesses. We’ve had so many customers that are just in love with their logo mats, to the point where they don’t even want to put them down because they look so nice.”

Chambers says she would like TLW members to know they handle everything – flights, hotels, car rentals, group tours and more, whether you’re planning a Caribbean cruise, a trip to Europe or an all-inclusive vacation package anywhere in the world.

Green Bay-based Chambers Travel has been affiliated with the TLW for nearly a decade, and they book the annual winter getaway cruise for members. Each year at the spring conference they give away a cabin on the cruise to one lucky TLW member in attendance. “The cruise is always the last week in February but we try to change it up and go different places, or on bigger, newer ships,” Chambers says. In 2019, they will be on the Bliss, a brand-new ship that recently sailed to the U.S. from Europe.

Although Chambers is closely tied to the TLW through the company’s affiliate member status and has served its many members throughout the years, she knows firsthand what a strong organization the TLW is because her family once owned their own tavern. “I just always knew it was a great organization and a great group of people to be with,” she says.

“They’re very concerned citizens, which really helps especially when trying to push through legislation. I’m very proud to be a part of that organization.”

Chambers wants TLW members to know if they have a particular request, she is happy to help accommodate that, and offers incentives for the person promoting it. An Alaskan cruise is a popular option for tavern owners who want to organize group trips.

Filardo says he and employee Troy Moody believe in bringing Badger Mats’ products directly to the customer, letting people feel the difference and see samples directly. He explains this is a practice other mat companies may not provide, but one he believes is important to lasting partnerships they continue to form throughout the Midwest.

She says all-inclusive Caribbean packages are also very popular with the TLW member businesses and their customers, but adds that she’s seeing more try different destinations, including trips overseas.

As a TLW affiliate member for many years, Filardo enjoys attending the annual events but more importantly, supporting an organization his customers belong to. “They support our business and we support theirs,” he adds.

She especially enjoys attending the spring TLW conference and getting to know so many people throughout the years. “Members go on cruises with us and we get to know them better,” Chambers concludes. “It’s really kind of fun.”

BADGER MATS LLC

CHAMBERS TRAVEL

P.O. Box 222, Mineral Point, WI 53565 Phone: 608-574-3736 | badgermats.com

2121 Innovation Ct., Ste. 1100, De Pere, WI 54115 920-496-9596 | chamberstravel.info

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SPOOKY CRAFT COCKTAILS AND MIXERS In 2013 Randy Rohner and his wife, Annamarie, along with partner Chris Heimerl started their business Spooky Craft Cocktails and Mixers. Today, the company has 12 natural, fresh-tasting mixers as well as six ready-to-drink cocktails with the spirits already included. They are all made free of gluten, high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors or colors.

A highlight of Spooky’s offerings are the five Bloody Mary mixes, which Rohner says are a customer favorite. The Dill Pickle Bloody Mary won four awards in 2017 and early 2018 and is their top seller. The horseradish variety took home a first place finish in Madison at the 2017 International Flavor Awards, while the Sriracha Bloody Mary is the newest addition to their lineup and a hit with Spooky fans.

“Everybody who tastes our mixers are just blown away,” says Rohner. “But we’re not just a Bloody Mary company. Each of our products can go up against anything out there and win the taste test.”

Where You Belong Auto - Home - Life - Health - Business

Working with the Tavern League since 1988 REPRESENTING:

Since 1996

Affiliate Member

2916 Church St. PO Box 179 Stevens Point, WI 54481 Tel: 715.344.8383 - Toll-Free: 800.675-5137 - DisherInsurance.com

Mike Disher - Matt Disher - Andrew Disher - Michael Disher II

Spooky’s margarita mix is also a top seller and sweetened with 100 percent blue agave nectar. This spring, sales of the margarita mix skyrocketed, and Rohner says that establishments making their own syrup and squeezing fresh limes have switched to the Spooky’s product because it is shelf stable and tastes as fresh.

Another summer blend, the rum runner cocktail, with its mixture of orange, pineapple, lime, raspberry and coconut makes an “awesome tropical, fruity concoction,” says Rohner.

Super Sports

SafeRide

Breast Cancer

VFW

Spooky’s truly wants to offer speed of preparation, a limited need for bar supplies and fresh flavor, according to Rohner. “No matter who is making the drinks, a skilled bartender or a brand-new employee, they can make some awesome tasting cocktails,” he says.

Rohner wishes there were organizations like the TLW in the other states where Spooky’s has a presence. “I think it’s a phenomenal organization and Wisconsin is very unique to have the cooperation and involvement of so many members.”

The company joined the league as an affiliate member last fall, and Rohner says that for a young business like Spooky’s, the events are a great opportunity to share the brand, but Rohner adds that he’s just had a lot of fun meeting TLW members.

SPOOKY BEVERAGE LLC

15W736 83rd St., Burr Ridge, IL 60527 630-842-4008 | spookybeverages.com

www.tlw.org

daytonyoung12@gmail.com 262-510-4513 wimilkcaps.com JULY/AUGUST 2018

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ACCOUNTING ON TAP

TIP CREDIT CAN SAVE RESTAURANT AND BAR OWNERS THOUSANDS IN TAXES

BY DAN BERGS, CPA

make sure you are claiming this valuable credit. This credit will offset tax dollar for dollar. If your tip credit is $5,000 and you have $5,000 of tax, then the credit would reduce your income tax to zero.

I

t is important to have quality managers who help run your operations, but just as important is to have a quality team in place to help run the financial and administrative portion of the business. One piece of the financial portion of the business for restaurant and bar owners is keeping track of tips paid to employees. These tips can qualify for a tip credit.

You meet the qualifications if you have employees who receive tips from customers for providing, delivering or serving food or beverage for consumption and you paid Social Security and Medicare tax (commonly known as FICA taxes) on those tips. Common businesses that qualify for the tip credit include restaurants, bars and golf courses. If you are an owner of one of these businesses, it is important to

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Here is how the credit works. Generally, the credit equals the amount of employer Social Security and Medicare taxes paid or incurred by the employer on tips received by the employee. The rate applied for Social Security tax is 6.2 percent and Medicare tax is 1.45 percent, total combined rate is 7.65 percent (FICA tax). However, employers cannot claim the credit for taxes on any tips that are used to meet the federal minimum wage rate in effect since January 1, 2007, which is $5.15 an hour. As a result, any tips paid to an employee that are used to figure the credit must be reduced until the $5.15 per hour has been met.

Here is a small scale example of the credit. An employee works 1,200 hours and receives $6,000 in tips during the course of a year. The employee’s hourly rate was $6 per hour. Since the employee’s wages are above the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, all the tips qualify for the credit. The $6,000 in tips is multiplied by the FICA tax rate of 7.65 percent, $6,000 x 7.65 percent = $459.

The employer would be allowed a credit of $459 for this employee alone.

Here is a larger scale example of the credit. A restaurant has 20 employees that receive tips. Those employees are all paid at least $5.15 an hour. The employees receive tips at a rate of $10 per hour and work on average 1,000 hours per year. The credit would be computed by taking the total tips, $10 per hour x 20 employees x 1,000 hours per year = $200,000 of tips. Next, the total tips are multiplied by the FICA rate of 7.65 percent. $200,000 tips x 7.65 percent = $15,300. The employer would be allowed a credit of $15,300.

In layman’s terms, if you are an employer that pays tips to employees you very likely qualify for this credit. The tips paid should be sent to the payroll processor and the payroll processor will calculate the FICA taxes. At the end of the year, the payroll company can produce a report used for tax preparation. If you find that you have not taken advantage of these credits, it’s not too late. You can claim the credit any time within three years from the due date of your return on either your original return or on an amended return. TLW Dan Bergs, CPA is a supervisor in the Tax & Business Services Department with Wegner CPAs LLP. Wegner CPAs LLP has offices in Madison, Baraboo, Waukesha and Janesville. This article is not intended to give complete tax advice, but a general review of the subject matter. You can contact Dan at 608-442-1986 or dan.bergs.@wegnercpas.com.

www.tlw.org

AFFILIATE MEMBERS TLW AFFILIATE MEMBERS AS OF JUNE 19, 2018 Ackley Novelty Inc. Allied Games Inc. American Entertainment Services Inc. American Income Life American Welding & Gas Amusement Devices Inc. B-M Music & Games B & K Bar & Restaurant Supplies Badger Case, Alliance Technology Badger Mats Badger Mutual Insurance Co. Badger State Events Entertainment Bar Rags Drinkware Baraboo Sysco Food Services Barr Refrigeration Batzner Pest Control Bay Towel/Linen Rental Bayland Insurance Benedict Refrigeration Service Best Bargains Bevinco Bill’s Distributing LTD. Blue Honey Bio-Fuels Inc. BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) Bob Schuchardt Insurance Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin Brakebush Brothers Brat Stop Products LLC Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza Bromak Sales Inc. Bullseye Games Capital Brewery Card Concepts Merchant Service Cash Depot Central Ceiling Systems Inc. Central Wisconsin Insurance Associates Chambers Travel Cornerstone Processing Solutions Creative Beverage Systems LLC Creative Marketing Specialist D & D Amusement Games LLC Davis & Kuelthau SC Dean’s Satellite & Security Delafield Brew Haus Demon Spirits LLC Devere Company Inc. Discus Disher Insurance Services DTT Edge One Inc. El Cortez Hotel & Casino www.tlw.org

Electronic Performance Systems LLC Elite Hood Cleaning Ember Glo Emil’s Pizza Inc. Engels Commercial Appliance Inc. EPSG (Evo Platinum Services Group) Fabiano Brothers Farley Forster Herbenson Group Fastsigns of Kenosha Flanigan Distributing Flashpoint Designs Fleming’s Fire I Flipside Coin Machines Inc Focus On Energy Small Business Foremost Business Systems Forest Floor Foods Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band Game Management Corp.

General Beer – Northeast Inc. Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown Glasses, Mugs & Steins LTD. Glavinsured Agency Inc. Gourmet Parlor Pizza Great Lakes Amusements Great Lakes Beverage Great Lakes Distillery Great Northern Amusements Grizzly Cooler LLC Gronomics - A Holes Gunderson Linen Health Markets Insurance Agency Heartland Business Systems Heartland Payment Systems Hiawatha Chef, Bar and Janitorial Supply Holiday Wholesale Inc. HSC Business Brokers Illinois Casualty Company Indianhead Foodservice Distributors Inc. Insurance Center Insurance Group Integrated Point of Sale (iPOS) International Bancard Midwest Jahnke Coin Machine Jimmy Eazy Storage LLC Johnson Brothers Beverage Kavanaughs Restaurant Supplies Kessenich’s LTD. Kevcorp International KLB Insurance ServicesIllinois Casualty Kobussen Buses LTD. Lamers Bus Lines

Lebby’s Frozen Pizza Lee Beverage of Wisconsin LLC Luiges Frozen Pizza Inc. M & R Amusements & Vending LLC Madcity Cocktails Magnuson Industries Inc. Mass Appeal Inc. MBE CPAs Metropolitan Food Service Equipment Meyer Brothers LLC Michalak Pest Control Midstate Amusement Games Midwest Amusements Midwest Coin Concepts of WI Midwest Insurance Group Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Pedal Tavern LLC Minhas Micro Distillery Mitchell Novelty Co. Modern Cash Register Systems Modern Specialty Motion Technology Inc. (Autofry) Murphy Desmond S.C. National Chemicals Inc. Nei-Turner Media Group Inc. New Glarus Brewing Co. NHS Food Service Northern Lakes Amusement Northwest Coin Machine Co. Northwoods By Superior Chemicals Northwoods Cab NuCO2 On Mobile Paradise Printing Company Park Ridge Distributing Inc. Parker Insurance Paychex Payment Alliance International PCMusic Pecatonica Beer Company Pehler Distributing Inc. Pepsi Beverages Company Plunkett’s Pest Control PNC Bank POS Partners Precision Pours Inc. Pretzelhaus Bakery/Funacho Primerica Quaker Bakery Brands Quarter Time Racine Amusement Inc. Rally

Red’s Novelty LTD. Redco Foodservice Equipment Reinhart Food Service LLC Restaurant Technologies Retail Control Solutions Riverside Foods Inc. RJT Limo Rum Runner Tropicana S & S Distributing Inc. Safe Harbor Payment Systems Sam’s Amusement Co. Sanimax USA LLC Saratoga Liquor Co. Inc. Schenck Schmidt Novelty Scott’s Vending Inc. Service Specialists Spooky Beverage LLC Stansfield Vending Inc. Star Connection/Lodgevision Stevens Point Brewery Superior Beverages LLC Superior Vending Swanel Beverage Inc./Banzai Taylor Enterprises of WI Inc. Tesch Chemical Think Ink & Design Tim-Todd Services Inc. Toast Inc. Toccata Gaming International, LLC Tom Sawyer Amusements Top Hat Marketing Tri-Mart Company LLC, Midwest Food & Tobacco Group Tricky Dick Specialty 2 Tricor Insurance Triple R Industries TRL Int’l. Mtkg Group/Global Vending LLC U.S. Bank Payment Soultions/Elavon U.S. Foods Van Bookkeeping LLC Vern’s Cheese Inc. Vital Tokens VITO Fryfilter Inc. Wausau Coin Machines Inc. WI Hospitality Insured Wine Institute Wisconsin Restaurant Association Wisconsin Scrub and Sweep Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps Wollersheim Winery & Distillery

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NEW MEMBERS TLW NEW MEMBERS APRIL 21, 2018 – JUNE 17, 2018 DISTRICT 1

South Central

Madison/Dane County

Grant/Iowa County

Kenosha City

South Wayne Vault LLC Timothy Wolff South Wayne, WI

Paoli Schoolhouse Debbie Schwartz Belleville, WI

Glacier Ridge Pub & Grill Kevin Sardeson Barneveld, WI

Esma’s Jesus Mejia Lopez Kenosha, WI

Rathskeller Bar John Marty Monticello, WI

Freddie’s Bar & Grill Fred Kauzrich Kenosha, WI

Walworth County

Maplecrest Country Club Daniel Plebanek Kenosha, WI

Boxed & Burlap John Neighbors Delavan, WI

Rain Bar & Lounge Kenosha, WI Ron Horse Winery Vicki Luteran Kenosha, WI Sturino’s Dino Sturino Kenosha, WI Villa D’Carlos Robert Greskoviak Kenosha, WI

Kenosha County Countryside Pub David Minnich Burlington, WI

C & C’s Mosquito Inn Chad Londre Racine, WI Pub On Wisconsin Andrew Wensing Racine, WI

Rock County The Beacon Inn Samantha Starck Milton, WI

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DISTRICT 2 Dodge County Snapper’s Sports Bar Troy & Marcy Benz Fox Lake, WI Juneau Lanes Brett Bolman Juneau, WI Jodi’s Hideout Jodi Augustine Mayville, WI

Racine City

TBG’s Chad Londre Racine, WI

The Ridge Hotel Robert Johnson Lake Geneva, WI

Jefferson County Oakland Center Tavern Debbie Barter Fort Atkinson, WI B-Cause We Care Inc. Allen Zabel Watertown, WI Rose Garden Frank Suloja Watertown, WI Spring Creek Golf Center Mike Majewski Whitewater, WI

JULY/AUGUST 2018

Funk’s Pub Jeff Funk Fitchburg, WI Erin’s Snug Irish Pub Jerry Madison, WI The Orpheum Theater Madison, WI

Hometown Liquor Store Terri Saint Boscobel, WI Hilltop Bar & Grill Corri Friederick Fennimore, WI

Tailgators Matt Vanriper La Crosse, WI Sylvan Glen Supper Club Ruthie Lepke Stoddard, WI

Monroe County The Cotter Pin Neil Schaitel Sparta, WI

Sauk County

Cool City Bar & Restaurant Mark Weston Two Rivers, WI Grizzly’s Pub & Grill Daryl & Trish Jeske Two Rivers, WI Luigi’s Italian Restaurant LLC Christine Mannino Two Rivers, WI Paradise Food LLC Sulma Yadira Hernandez Tafo Two Rivers, WI

Squeaky Wheel Saloon Kevin Kleppe Hollandale, WI

Lone Rock 4th of July Ethel Fitzgibbons Lone Rock, WI

Tipsy Cow Madison, WI

P.J.’S Pub & Hall Pete Murphy Kieler, WI

BS Depot LLC Shannon Jackson North Freedom, WI

Primo Robert Wolfe Oshkosh, WI

Lon’s Tailgators Lonny Pastorius Stoughton, WI

Woods Bar & Grill Cal Weier Lone Rock, WI

DISTRICT 4

Ozaukee County

Waukesha County

Brewery Creek Mike Zuplee Mineral Point, WI

Twitch’s Bar & Grill Gene Lohse Brillion, WI

The Landing Strip Madison, WI

It Ain’t Heaven Kim King Mukwonago, WI

DISTRICT 3 Crawford County Eagles Club 1502 Vicky Caya Prairie du Chien, WI

City Bar Tina Jerrett Platteville, WI The Pit John Mccarville Richland Center, WI

Juneau County

Pine Tree Inn Jackie Mccullick Prairie du Chien, WI

Kozy’s Pizza Cynthia Olson Mauston, WI

Dells/Delton Area

La Crosse City/County

Drinker’s Landing American World Inc. Wisconsin Dells, WI

The Overtime Pub Mike Gorniak Bangor, WI

Noah’s Ark Water Park Mark Whitfield Wisconsin Dells, WI

HD Tavern Sparky Group Inc. Holmen, WI

Calumet County

Manitowoc County Bonker’s Saloon Manitowoc, WI Tony’s Pizza Mark Weston Manitowoc, WI Altoona Supper Club David Braun New Holstein, WI Webster’s Inn on Third Street Steve & Kellie Webster Reedsville, WI 920 Lounge Mark Schlorf & Dustin Johnson Two Rivers, WI

Oshkosh County

At JJ’s LLC Amber Vance Cedarburg, WI

Sheboygan County The Village At 170 LLC Jeff & Melanie Romanoski Kohler, WI Rumors LLC James Clary Plymouth, WI

Washington County Mike’s Bar & Grill David Kober Campbellsport, WI Cobblestone Hotel & Suites Jeremy Gnesbach Hartford, WI Great Outdoors Supper Club Joel Lawien Kewaskum, WI

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NEW MEMBERS Winnebago County Over Time Bar & Grill Desiree Smith Oshkosh, WI The Spot Sports Bar Russell Marx Oshkosh, WI

DISTRICT 5 Adams County Friar Tuck’s Bill Swanson Nekoosa, WI

Green Lake Area Thunderboss Bar & Grill Leah Oxsen Green Lake, WI American Legion Post 366 Francis Genda Princeton, WI

Langlade County Swartzendruber’s Supper Club Lyndon Swartzendrubers Antigo, WI

Marathon County Procupine Pub Greg Metz Wausau, WI

Marquette County Starlite Lodge Douglas Winger Montello, WI

Shawano County Tavern Front Hugh Mcaloon Wittenberg, WI

Waupaca County Glen Cairn Golf Course Christy Berkholtz Ogdensburg, WI www.tlw.org

Filling Station Pizza & Bar Kanwal Singh Waupaca, WI

Equity Club LLC Kevin Schutte Pound, WI

Wood County

Outagamie County

Door 212 LLC Lee Chipman Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Skyline Comedy Club Renee Fandt Appleton, WI

DISTRICT 6

Beaver’s Hut Mark Gerrits Freedom, WI

Brown County Circle Tap Darrea Derrickl Denmark, WI Charlie Tuna’s Hammer Inn Kevin Charles Green Bay, WI Green Bay Yachting Club Jay Zahn Green Bay, WI Home Town Cafe & Catering Steve & Brenda Hecker Green Bay, WI Oval Office GB Entertainment Green Bay, Wi Stillmank Brewing Company Green Bay, WI

Door County Why-Lee’s Rosiere Inn Lee Vandenheuvel Casco, WI

Marinette County Beaver Saloon Renea Oskwarek Beaver, WI Cheers Too LLC Shanon Knope Coleman, WI

Blu Sapphires Chris Scott Menasha, WI

DISTRICT 7

Fairchild Convenience Store Keith Holm Fairchild, WI Cheese Hut Keith Holm Hixton, WI Double T Keith Holm Merrillan, WI Town Mart Keith Holm Northfield, WI Patty’s Backroads Saloon Patty Dietrich Pittsville, WI

Clark County Riviera Pub & Grille Robin Johnson Neillsville, WI

Lost At Donna K’s Chuck Bowers Warrens, WI

Pierce County Eau Claire City/County Cheer’s Bar N Grill Julie Singerhouse Chippewa Falls, WI

Pilot House Randy Hendrickson Prescott, WI

Polk County Jackson County 4 Season Quik Trip Keith Holm Black River Falls, WI

Market Place Foods Paul Mitchell Saint Croix Falls, WI

St. Croix County BJ’s Airport Bar & Grill Billie Jo & Gary Jansen Black River Falls, WI

The Postmark Grille Russell Evenson Hudson, WI

Black River Crossing Oasis Keith Holm Black River Falls, WI

Mississippi Thunder Speedway Bob Timm Fountain City, WI

Fairchild Barrel Inn Donna Madley Fairchild, WI

Trempealeau/ Buffalo County

DISTRICT 8 Burnett County Timberland Bar & Grill Karen Nerison & Craig Johnson Barronett, WI The Narrows Waterfront Pub Douglas Fontaine Siren, WI Yellow River Saloon LLC Heather Mcpheeters Webster, WI Zia Louisa LLC Stephen & Krystal Yantes Webster, WI

Lakeland Area Lakeside Bar & Grill Guy Polachek Minocqua, WI Big Links Link Abraham Woodruff, WI

Lincoln County Garage Motel, Bar & Grill Dianna Gustafson Tomahawk, WI

Oneida County Barry & Sherry’s Town & Country Barry Scheuermann Gleason, WI Brigg’s Bar No. 2 Pamela Briggs Three Lakes, WI

Sawyer County TNT’s Sports Bar & Grill Tim Metropulos Hayward, WI

Red School House Wines Robert Paine Stone Lake, WI

Superior/ Douglas County Manitou Inn Chris & Sherri Carlson Superior, WI

Taylor County Bailiwick Venue Samantha & Chris Shotliff Medford, WI Games On The Green Dick Splude Medford, WI Rib River Bar & Grill Peggy & Kevin Metzger Rib Lake, WI

Vilas County Smugglers Maureen Thornborrow Eagle River, WI Northern Exposure Bar & Restaurant Douglas Horstman Phelps, WI

DISTRICT 9 Milwaukee County The Edge West Christopher Grabowski Greenfield, WI Riverwest Filling Station Bryan Atinsky Milwaukee, WI The Pubclub Thomas Johns Milwaukee, WI JC’s Pub Jeff Clark West Allis, WI

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ADVERTISER INDEX Anheuser-Busch Inc. anheuser-busch.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 B&K Bar Supplies bandkbarsupplies.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc. cornerstoneps.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Disher Insurance disherinsurance.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Edge One Inc. edgeone.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Forest Floor Foods forestfloorfoods.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Jim’s Specialties halo.com/jim-flynn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 MillerCoors Inc. millercoors.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Society Insurance societyinsurance.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 WAMO wamo.net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Wisconsin Souvenir Milk Caps wimilkcaps.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 34 Wisconsin Wine & Spirit Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

SPECIAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP PLATINUM CLUB MEMBERS OSHKOSH CITY TAVERN LEAGUE

Promotional Products

1000’S OF ITEMS FOR YOUR ADVERTISING PENS • CALENDARS • APPAREL • BAR TOKENS

Many American Made Products Halo Rep. - Jim Flynn Janesville 608-758-3470 or Cell 608-201-2055 Email: jimsspecialties@yahoo.com Website: www.halo.com/jim-flynn

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap

PULLTAB PROMOTIONS

Great Profits Employee Incentive Program Used Pulltab Machines Available More Info: 262-510-4513 daytonyoung12@gmail.com www.wimilkcaps.com

Advertise in

On Premise

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

the official publication

PORTAGE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

of the Tavern League of

TLW 3RD DISTRICT TLW 5TH DISTRICT

Wisconsin

GOLD CLUB MEMBERS DODGE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE DOOR COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

CONTACT:

MANITOWOC COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

Louise Andraski, Account Executive

TLW 7TH DISTRICT

SILVER CLUB MEMBER AL REPP

louisea@ntmediagroup.com

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

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Direct: 608-873-8734 Fax: 262-245-2000 NEI-TURNER MEDIA GROUP

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GREAT TASTE. ONLY 96 CALORIES. MILLER LITE. HOLD TRUE.

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY

®

©2018 MILLER BREWING CO., MILWAUKEE, WI • BEER Avg. analysis (12 fl. oz.): 96 cals, 3.2g carbs, <1g protein, 0.0g fat.

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