Lawler Out Loud: Mixing up the Mainstream

Hilary is the Founder and CEO of Sweet Reason, a hemp and cannabis beverage company that exists to calm the minds of humankind. She founded the company out of an obsession with the future of hemp and cannabis beverages and how they would impact our society, culture and social lives. She is passionate about the role that CBD can have in helping people lead calmer, happier lives. Learn more about Sweet Reason on their website and follow them on Instagram.

Laura Hoffman spent 20 years cultivating a thriving wine and spirits career while becoming the first woman to manage a fine wine sales team working for both distributors and global suppliers and running NAOP teams. As she built and expanded her C-suite expertise, she realized that enlightened personal wellbeing, strategic coping mechanisms, and increased holistic awareness would offer core strengths necessary to thrive despite the pressures of the corporate environment. Laura is now a Reiki Master (Usui lineage), a certified Clairvoyant Practitioner, Medium and Intuitive Energy Healer, and is currently training to achieve her Kundalini Teacher certification. She currently runs a private practice to guide and support clients as they navigate the business maze through discovering, strengthening, and maintaining their core physical and spiritual energies. To learn more visit www.lauraheals.com or follow Laura on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Lori Kranczer is the Founder of Everyday Planned Giving LLC, a consulting firm that advises on customized planned giving programs that substantially and consistently support organizations. With more than 20 years of her career spent advising nonprofits, she believes firmly that planned giving, or “legacy giving,” which are ways donors make impactful gifts through endowments, bequests in wills or other structured gift vehicles, should be a vital part of the fundraising practice of every nonprofit organization, no matter the size, budget or mission. Connect with Lori on LinkedIn to learn more.

Darrell W. Butler created the Award winning Fat Darrell® Sandwich that was named as best in the nation and featured on Good Morning America, Travel, Food Network and more! Darrell is also a diverse media personality and digital content provider with a background in entertainment, live events production and fitness. Follow Darrell on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow his foodie group @Phenomnomnomenal or check out his website at FatDarrell.com.

Jeffrey Koch is the National Accounts Manager for Shaw-Ross International. Over the last three decades his career has touched many aspects of our industry including restaurant operations, ambassadorship, field & multi-cultural marketing, and mixology and sales with some of the most iconic brands and concepts out there. For the past six years, he has embraced the challenge of National Accounts and utilizes every aspect of his last three decades in hospitality to build brands and continue to create value for his partners.  Jeffrey can be found on LinkedIn and on many social platforms as TheLiquorGeek.

Andrew Fitzgerald happens to be one of the people responsible for launching the hard seltzer category that has taken the U.S. by storm in recent years. Working with White Claw and then Truly, he has built a career of brand building and marketing expertise spanning more than 20 years in the U.S. as well as his homeland, Ireland. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter.

Trudy Thomas is the Director of Operations at Kennedy Concepts. She is most widely known for her roles in building the beverage program at some of Marriott International's finest properties. She just joined Kennedy Concepts as the Director of Operations. She carries a wealth of knowledge, a skill set that never seems to end and her experiences are just as fascinating and impressive as her resume. Follow Trudy on LinkedIn and Instagram as she takes on her newest adventure building an emerging brand of concepts.

Jennifer McKeough is the Vice President of Sales with Share A Splash Wine Co. and a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW). Her career in the hospitality industry has taken her from purchasing for restaurants and retailers to sales for wholesalers and distributors to national account suppliers. She continues her study of wine – which is as much her hobby as her career. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn. 

Ben Salisbury is the founder and president of Salisbury Creative Group, a sales strategy consulting firm helping wineries and craft distilleries leverage technology in their sales process. Ben's experience in the adult beverage industry has taken him on a variety of journeys from privately held companies to globally traded enterprises. In his role now, he seeks to help smaller companies build their reach, and make a positive impact in the industry. Follow Ben on LinkedIn to learn more.