Napa, Calif.—ShipCompliant will host its annual trade show and conference on trends and regulations in the area of direct-to-consumer shipping and sales.

Scheduled for June 14 in Napa, the “Direct 2012” conference is designed for winery staff looking for the most up-to-date information on the wine shipping regulations, compliance and direct marketing.

“This is our seventh year producing the Direct Conference, and we are very aware that the direct wine sales industry has changed significantly over that time and continues to evolve,” ShipCompliant CEO Jason Eckenroth said in a statement released by the company. “With the Direct Conference we look to bring industry participants up to date on what’s relevant, new and important for them to know, and this year will be no different.”

The conference will feature Steve Gross of the Wine Institute providing a state-by state look at current regulations on direct shipping.

During a breakout session, Gross will be joined by Matt Botting, general counsel of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control and Cary Greene, chief operating officer and general counsel of WineAmerica,to focus on possible regulatory changes in the coming year with an emphasis on privatization.

Major changes in the industry
In November of 2011, voters in Washington approved a measure to privatize the state’s liquor stores. The possible effects on the wine industry from that change are still unclear.  Another major change in direct shipping came in January, when New Jersey opened up to out-of-state wineries. State lawmakers in Pennsylvania also have recently debated legislation to liberalize the state’s laws regulating wine and liquor sales.

Danny Brager, vice president and group client director for Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Team will discuss the demographics of direct shipping as well provide a “first-ever look at consumer behavior patterns” based in part on information from WinesVinesDATA.

Some of the recent data from that collaborative research found that the value of direct-to-consumer shipments from U.S. wineries was up 5% from last year in March and accounted for $182 million in sales.

The Direct Conference will also feature a trade show exhibition with vendors featuring technology and logistic support for direct-to-consumer business.

The conference takes place from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Napa Valley Marriott. An early registration price of $235 is available until May 18, after which the price is $275. For more information, or to register, visit: shipcompliant.com/events.