American Whiskey Association, Associated Cooperage Industries of America announce reciprocal memberships

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2026 — The American Whiskey Association announced a new reciprocal membership arrangement with the Associated Cooperage Industries of America, a professional society and resource for cooperages, stave and heading producers, distillers, vintners and others connected to the wooden barrel since 1934.

Under the new reciprocal membership structure, ACIA has joined AWA as a trade association member, and AWA has joined ACIA as an allied member. The relationship reflects a shared commitment to craftsmanship, supply chain integrity and the long-term growth of American whiskey.

“This alignment reinforces something our industry knows instinctively: the wooden barrel is central to the American whiskey process and the finished product,” said Michael Bilello, president and CEO of the American Whiskey Association. “ACIA represents expertise and craftsmanship that are essential to this industry, and by working together we are expanding the reach, voice and advocacy capabilities of AWA on behalf of our members and the broader American whiskey sector.”

“ACIA has proudly represented those who build, supply and rely on wooden barrels for decades,” said Melissa Zoeller, executive director of ACIA. “American whiskey depends on the barrel for quality, character and consistency. We welcome this collaboration with AWA to support the people and practices that sustain this craft, from stave and heading producers to cooperages and distillers.”

The two organizations said they look forward to collaborating, where appropriate, on shared priorities that include supply chain resilience, craftsmanship and standards, and long-term category growth.

About the American Whiskey Association
The American Whiskey Association is the national trade organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and leading the American whiskey industry. AWA advocates for sound public policy, fair and transparent regulatory frameworks, and market conditions that allow American whiskey producers of all sizes to compete and thrive. Through advocacy, industry engagement and collaboration across the distilling community, AWA works to safeguard the integrity of the category and advance its mission to make American whiskey the world’s whiskey.

For more information, visit American-Whiskey.org.

About the Associated Cooperage Industries of America
The Associated Cooperage Industries of America is a professional society for cooperages, stave and heading producers, distillers, vintners and allied industries connected to the wooden barrel. Since 1934, ACIA has supported education, technical exchange and industry collaboration across the cooperage and barrel-aging sectors.