William H. O’Brien
Chair, Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
Forward. A simple word that represents what drives our industry: charging ahead. Making progress. Building a strong future. It is what motivates our actions, inspires our innovation and delivers positive impact for the customers, consumers and communities we serve.
In 2023, we made real progress in advancing circularity for our plastic bottles and aluminum cans. They are made to be remade. We are demonstrating that when we get them back, we can remake them into new ones, thus reducing our use of new plastic and aluminum. This is something that is important not only to our industry, but to our customers and consumers. And we know our efforts are serving as a catalyst for innovative change and a more vibrant environment.
We moved forward in providing Americans with even more beverage choices, many with zero sugar. We know consumers are seeking ways to reduce their sugar, and we are listening. The innovation of our companies continues to provide consumers with growth in choices, with great-tasting beverages featuring a range of flavors, calories and package sizes. The beverage aisle is more diverse than ever. In fact, nearly 60% of beverages sold today have zero sugar. Zero. This is transformative action – and it is intentional.
We also took actions to help build a strong future for communities across the country – communities where we, too, live and work. Providing good-paying, family-supporting jobs that help drive the economic engine of our nation. Supporting community organizations through employee volunteer efforts and charitable contributions. Awarding grants to local cities and the mayors who lead them, as well as national and community-based organizations, to aid in their efforts to address childhood obesity, sustainability, health disparities and more.
All of this is having real impact in making our communities healthy, sustainable and economically strong. Our industry has an incredible story to tell, and we are proud to tell it. We also know there is more work to be done. And so we charge forward knowing that we are building on a strong foundation, with our eyes clearly focused on a future that delivers more bold solutions for those we serve.
Chair, Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
President and Chief Executive Officer American Beverage Association
In April, nearly 200 beverage industry members convened in Washington, D.C., to meet with their members of Congress and their staff. Attendees shared our collective story, including being a major contributor to the nation’s economy and driving strong solutions to tough challenges.
ABA Board Member Kirk Tyler (left) chats with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa (right).
Torrey Advisory Group’s Barbara Patterson and Niagara Bottling’s Matt Foley network during the Annual PAC Reception during the Fly-In.
(Left to right) Coca-Cola Consolidated’s Dave Shelek and Danny Rowe pose with Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Beverage Association’s Ellen Valentino, PepsiCo’s Deriece Harrington, Coca-Cola Consolidated’s Altmann Pannell and ABA’s Franklin Davis.
Midwest beverage industry members sit down with Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., (far left) to discuss how the industry contributes to Minnesota’s economic engine.
ABA team members are all smiles at the Annual Beverage Bash on Capitol Hill.
Keurig Dr Pepper’s Gina Mordeaux (left) and Swire Coca-Cola, USA’s Christopher Friend (right) meet with Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., to discuss the beverage industry’s positive impact on jobs in her home state and across the country.
The Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter addresses breakfast attendees on how the upcoming political landscape will impact businesses across the country.
House Agriculture Committee Senior Member Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., speaks on congressional priorities.
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., joins attendees for lunch to share insights on the importance of Farm Bill reauthorization and the need for Congress to pass the SHIP IT Act.
Nearly 200 beverage industry employees and partners gathered in Arizona to collaborate and discuss collective efforts in the environmental sustainability, health and wellness and community engagement spaces.
ABA President and CEO Kevin Keane (left) has a candid conversation about the upcoming 2024 presidential election with Democratic National Convention Chair Minyon Moore and Marc Short, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence.
(From left to right) ABA’s Franklin Davis highlights the health equity landscape with African American Mayors Association President & CEO Phyllis Dickerson, National Medical Association President Dr. Yolanda Lawson and Louisiana Beverage Association Executive Director Keli Williams.
(Left to right) ABA’s Barbara Hiden discusses the Farm Bill and the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with Iowa Beverage Association’s Jon Murphy, Baylor University’s Craig Gundersen and Torrey Advisory Group’s Barbara Patterson.
(Left to right) ABA’s Amy Brink is joined by Massachusetts Beverage Association’s Steve Boksanski, Florida Beverage Association’s Liz DeWitt, Swire Coca-Cola, USA’s Jenifer Freeman and Rodriguez Strategies’ Jessica Mause to discuss bottle bans and why our plastic bottles are valuable.
ABA Board Chair and Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling CEO Bill O’Brien (left) and ABA President and CEO Kevin Keane (right) share their perspectives on the industry’s priorities.
Public Opinion Strategies Partner and NBC News/Wall Street Journal Pollster Bill McInturff discusses how the upcoming 2024 elections will impact the beverage industry and corporate America at-large.
ABA President and CEO Kevin Keane welcomes conference attendees and thanks everyone for their commitment to taking on both challenges and opportunities.
ABA Board Member John Kalil and members of the beverage industry come together to kick off the National Government Affairs Conference by volunteering at a local food bank in Phoenix, Ariz.
Not Pictured: Annie Adair, Megan Daum, Sandra Grance, Tracey Halliday, Kate Loatman, Stacey Pine, Merideth Potter, Rick Rivas and David Thorp