MB&WWA Advocates & Future Leaders

The MB&WWA offers two personal development programs designed to build advocates within your distributorship and cultivate future leaders of the Association.


As threats to the Three-Tier System increase, it's crucial for distributors to actively defend their interests. The MB&WWA leads the charge, but we also need a network of distributor advocates and a strong bench of future leaders who understand the industry and can guide the Association’s continued success.


The Three-Tier Advocate Accreditation program is open to any distributor employee—whether in management, sales, warehouse, or delivery. The only requirement is a commitment to advocating for the beer and wine distribution industry.


For those aspiring to leadership roles, including future owners, the MB&WWA Leadership Academy (MLA) program provides the skills needed to grow into these positions.

Enroll in 3T Advocate Accreditation or MLA

MB&WWA Training Program Enrollment

Program Requirements

3T Advocate Accreditation

  • Complete (3) training sessions: MB&WWA 101, Grassroots Advocacy 101, and 3T 101. Each training session will be offered twice per year.

  • Attend (2) MB&WWA Lobby Day & Spring Parties

  • Attend (2) Warehouse Tours

MB&WWA Leadership Academy (MLA)

  • Complete (3) training sessions: MB&WWA 101, Grassroots Advocacy 101, and 3T 101. Each training session will be offered twice per year.

  • Attend (2) MB&WWA Lobby Day & Spring Parties

  • Attend (2) Warehouse Tours

  • Complete (1) Do's & Don'ts Training

  • Complete (1) Equity Preservation Class

  • Attend the 1.5-day MLA Retreat, offered once a year at the MB&WWA Headquarters in Lansing. Registration fee required, as this event features hired speakers and trainers.

  • Attend (3) Conventions (One must be a Winter Convention.)

  • Attend (2) Holiday Luncheons

  • Attend (6) Board Meetings

  • Attend (2) Region Meetings

  • Serve on at least (1) committee with a 75% attendance rate.

Training Sessions Content

  • The structure of state government

  • How the legislative and regulatory processes work

  • What grassroots advocacy is, how and when to engage in it, and how the MB&WWA assists distributors in grassroots advocacy

  • How to build an advocacy message; effective communication and messaging

  • The core advocacy issues of the MB&WWA (3T, franchise laws, exclusive territories, and more)

  • The impact of distributor consolidation on advocacy

  • How to build relationships with policymakers

  • The importance of the PAC/corporate giving

  • Warehouse tour training

3T Advocate Training Materials

Click on the blue links to download and view relevant materials ahead of or after each training!

Congrats to our 2025 3T Advocate & MLA Graduates!

Only those who were in attendance at Summer Convention are pictured.

For questions about our training programs, please contact Rebecca Stow:

(517) 482-5555 ext. 210

Email Rebecca