BEVFORCE and BevNET Reveal Results of First-Ever "State of the Industry" Survey

BEVFORCE, the beverage industry's largest career network and BevNET, a recognized authority on the beverage industry, recently conducted a survey assessing current and future attitudes on beverage employment, staffing and job security. Despite the fact that nationwide unemployment rates remain steady, results revealed that beverage professionals are anticipating that 2010 will be a better year than 2009.

More than 1,000 beverage professionals in both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic space participated in the online survey, including wholesalers/distributors, manufacturers/suppliers, retailers and service providers. Respondents included primarily executive level, marketing and sales professionals in the beverage industry.

Results also showed that beverage industry hiring rates will remain consistent and there will be fewer layoffs and internal restructuring in 2010.

While not recession proof, the beverage industry has definitely proven to be recession-resistant. "Employment is typically a lagging economic indicator, so coming out of a recession, it's assumed that jobs are the last thing to return," says Josh Wand, President of BEVFORCE. "The beverage industry is ahead of curve; not only has there been a steady flow of job opportunities available over the past few months, but as the economy continues to improve, we anticipate a continuous upswing in the number of jobs available for qualified beverage professionals."

Additional survey results revealed a positive view of the coming year:

- 75% of respondents anticipate positive growth for their company is 2010.

- 67% of respondents think that their company will be hiring in 2010.

- 75% of respondents feel secure in their current position, despite the current economic climate.

- 6% of respondents think that their company will conduct a round of layoffs in 2010, while 25% conducted a round of layoffs in 2009.

- 15% of respondents think that their company will go through a reorganization in 2010, while 34% reorganized in 2009.

- 71% of respondents anticipate making new hires in 2010, while in 2009 67% hired new employees and in 2008 69% hired new employees.

The survey was collected and analyzed by Checkbox (www.checkbox.com), a leading developer of online survey software.

About BEVFORCE
BEVFORCE is the only beverage-industry staffing agency providing both an online job board and executive recruiting services; we connect highly qualified beverage professionals with the leading beverage companies in the business. BEVFORCE provides the most extensive beverage industry job board at www.bevforce.com and offers executive beverage recruiting for high-level positions through BEVFORCE Elite Recruiting. The beverage industry's largest career network, BEVFORCE has beverage jobs available in the alcoholic and nonalcoholic space including, wine jobs, beer jobs, coffee jobs, tea jobs and energy drink jobs as well as opportunities in spirits, dairy, H20, juices and mixers, nutrition and sport drinks, organic drinks, sake and soft drinks.

About BevNET
BevNET is a leading beverage-oriented media company operating a Web site that reviews non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverages and provides comprehensive, up-to-the-minute information about the beverage industry. It also provides information to beverage retailers via Beverage Spectrum magazine, the only trade magazine in the country aimed directly at the beverage retailing business.