A Modern Marketplace: The Future of Alcohol Policy in New York

A Modern Marketplace: The Future of Alcohol Policy in New York

The Coalition to Expand Consumer Choice is partnering with City & State to convene a policy forum on alcohol modernization in New York. The event will bring together elected officials, business leaders, retailers, producers, and industry stakeholders to discuss modernizing New York’s outdated regulatory framework.

The forum will also mark the public introduction of the Coalition to Expand Consumer Choice. Building on the work of the New York State of Wine, the coalition expands the conversation beyond grocery stores to include stakeholders across the retail sector with an interest in modernizing New York’s alcohol laws. As New York City and State face continued fiscal pressures, the forum offers a timely policy discussion that can shape the 2027 Executive Budget.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

New York Law School

185 W Broadway,

New York, NY 10013

New York Law School

185 W Broadway,

New York, NY 10013

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Dress Attire: 

Dress Attire: 

Business Casual.

Event Information:

Event Information:

For more information about the event, please email lblake@cityandstateny.com.

image linking to registration
image linking to registration

9 AM EDT

30 MINS
9 AM EDT 30 MINS

Registration & Networking Breakfast

9:30 AM EDT

10 MINS
9:30 AM EDT 10 MINS

Welcome Remarks

Mona Golub
Mona Golub
Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs
Northeast Grocery Inc.
Mike Durant
Mike Durant
President & CEO
NY Food Industry Alliance
Mona Golub
Mona Golub
Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs
Northeast Grocery Inc.
Mike Durant
Mike Durant
President & CEO
NY Food Industry Alliance
Mona Golub
Mike Durant
Mona Golub
Mona Golub
Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs
Northeast Grocery Inc.
Mike Durant
Mike Durant
President & CEO
NY Food Industry Alliance
Mona Golub
Mike Durant

9:40 AM EDT

30 MINS
9:40 AM EDT 30 MINS

What’s Next for Alcohol Reform in New York?

Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Editor-In-Chief
City & State NY
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
Assembly District 84
NY

What began with the push to expand wine access in grocery stores has opened a broader conversation about how New York can modernize its alcohol laws. Legislative leaders will discuss how existing efforts can serve as a foundation for additional reforms that expand consumer choice, support New York businesses and producers, and create a more modern marketplace without leaving earlier priorities behind.

Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Editor-In-Chief
City & State NY
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
Assembly District 84
NY

What began with the push to expand wine access in grocery stores has opened a broader conversation about how New York can modernize its alcohol laws. Legislative leaders will discuss how existing efforts can serve as a foundation for additional reforms that expand consumer choice, support New York businesses and producers, and create a more modern marketplace without leaving earlier priorities behind.

Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo

What began with the push to expand wine access in grocery stores has opened a broader conversation about how New York can modernize its alcohol laws. Legislative leaders will discuss how existing efforts can serve as a foundation for additional reforms that expand consumer choice, support New York businesses and producers, and create a more modern marketplace without leaving earlier priorities behind.

Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Editor-In-Chief
City & State NY
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
Assembly District 84
NY

What began with the push to expand wine access in grocery stores has opened a broader conversation about how New York can modernize its alcohol laws. Legislative leaders will discuss how existing efforts can serve as a foundation for additional reforms that expand consumer choice, support New York businesses and producers, and create a more modern marketplace without leaving earlier priorities behind.

Jeff Coltin (moderator)
Assemblymember Amanda Septimo

10:10 AM EDT

10 MINS
10:10 AM EDT 10 MINS

Networking Break

10:20 AM EDT

40 MINS
10:20 AM EDT 40 MINS

Who Benefits from Modernization? Retailers, Producers, and Communities

Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Executive Managing Editor
City & State
Yudelka Tapia
Yudelka Tapia
Assembly Member
New York State
Nelson Eusebio
Nelson Eusebio
Political Director
National Supermarket Association
Frank Marte
Frank Marte
President
NYC Bodega and Small Business Association

New Yorkers shop across grocery stores, bodegas, convenience stores and other retailers, yet the state’s alcohol laws often limit where products can be sold and how consumers can access them. Retailers representing businesses of different sizes will discuss how thoughtful distribution reforms can expand consumer choice, create new opportunities for neighborhood businesses and better reflect the realities of today’s retail marketplace.

Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Executive Managing Editor
City & State
Yudelka Tapia
Yudelka Tapia
Assembly Member
New York State
Nelson Eusebio
Nelson Eusebio
Political Director
National Supermarket Association
Frank Marte
Frank Marte
President
NYC Bodega and Small Business Association

New Yorkers shop across grocery stores, bodegas, convenience stores and other retailers, yet the state’s alcohol laws often limit where products can be sold and how consumers can access them. Retailers representing businesses of different sizes will discuss how thoughtful distribution reforms can expand consumer choice, create new opportunities for neighborhood businesses and better reflect the realities of today’s retail marketplace.

Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Yudelka Tapia
+2
2 more speakers

New Yorkers shop across grocery stores, bodegas, convenience stores and other retailers, yet the state’s alcohol laws often limit where products can be sold and how consumers can access them. Retailers representing businesses of different sizes will discuss how thoughtful distribution reforms can expand consumer choice, create new opportunities for neighborhood businesses and better reflect the realities of today’s retail marketplace.

Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Executive Managing Editor
City & State
Yudelka Tapia
Yudelka Tapia
Assembly Member
New York State
Nelson Eusebio
Nelson Eusebio
Political Director
National Supermarket Association
Frank Marte
Frank Marte
President
NYC Bodega and Small Business Association

New Yorkers shop across grocery stores, bodegas, convenience stores and other retailers, yet the state’s alcohol laws often limit where products can be sold and how consumers can access them. Retailers representing businesses of different sizes will discuss how thoughtful distribution reforms can expand consumer choice, create new opportunities for neighborhood businesses and better reflect the realities of today’s retail marketplace.

Greg Salisbury (Moderator)
Yudelka Tapia
+2
2 more speakers

11 AM EDT

10 MINS
11 AM EDT 10 MINS

Networking Break

11:10 AM EDT

40 MINS
11:10 AM EDT 40 MINS

Building the Future of New York's Alcohol Marketplace: Lessons from Other States and the Road Ahead

Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
Senior State Politics Reporter
City & State NY
James Skoufis
James Skoufis
Senator
New York State
Tina Lund
Tina Lund
Principal
Urbanomics
Mark Pitifer
Mark Pitifer
Marketing & Communications Administrator, Government & Public Relations
The Waterloo Container Company
Chelsea Davis
Chelsea Davis
Deputy Secretary for Gaming, Cannabis, and Alcohol
New York State Executive Chamber

More than 40 states have modernized aspects of their alcohol retail systems while maintaining strong consumer protections and thriving retail industries. This session will examine what New York can learn from those experiences, explore the economic and fiscal case for modernization, and discuss what a practical path forward could look like during the 2027 legislative session.

Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
Senior State Politics Reporter
City & State NY
James Skoufis
James Skoufis
Senator
New York State
Tina Lund
Tina Lund
Principal
Urbanomics
Mark Pitifer
Mark Pitifer
Marketing & Communications Administrator, Government & Public Relations
The Waterloo Container Company
Chelsea Davis
Chelsea Davis
Deputy Secretary for Gaming, Cannabis, and Alcohol
New York State Executive Chamber

More than 40 states have modernized aspects of their alcohol retail systems while maintaining strong consumer protections and thriving retail industries. This session will examine what New York can learn from those experiences, explore the economic and fiscal case for modernization, and discuss what a practical path forward could look like during the 2027 legislative session.

Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
James Skoufis
+3
3 more speakers

More than 40 states have modernized aspects of their alcohol retail systems while maintaining strong consumer protections and thriving retail industries. This session will examine what New York can learn from those experiences, explore the economic and fiscal case for modernization, and discuss what a practical path forward could look like during the 2027 legislative session.

Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
Senior State Politics Reporter
City & State NY
James Skoufis
James Skoufis
Senator
New York State
Tina Lund
Tina Lund
Principal
Urbanomics
Mark Pitifer
Mark Pitifer
Marketing & Communications Administrator, Government & Public Relations
The Waterloo Container Company
Chelsea Davis
Chelsea Davis
Deputy Secretary for Gaming, Cannabis, and Alcohol
New York State Executive Chamber

More than 40 states have modernized aspects of their alcohol retail systems while maintaining strong consumer protections and thriving retail industries. This session will examine what New York can learn from those experiences, explore the economic and fiscal case for modernization, and discuss what a practical path forward could look like during the 2027 legislative session.

Rebecca Lewis (Moderator)
James Skoufis
+3
3 more speakers

11:50 AM EDT

10 MINS
11:50 AM EDT 10 MINS

Closing