About Us
Our Story
As the trade association dedicated to promoting the preservation and advancement of Ohio’s non-alcoholic beverage industry, the Ohio Beverage Association (formerly the Ohio Soft Drink Association) is the voice for bottling firms, manufacturers and beverage companies across Ohio. OhioBev’s work creates a unified body within the beverage industry to support legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry while supplying the public and policymakers with timely and accurate information.
Ohio’s beverage industry is a growing business that employs thousands of workers throughout the state, invests in communities and contributes more than one billion dollars annually in state and federal taxes. Our members offer consumers a myriad of brands, flavors and packaging choices and a full range of drink options: soft drinks, diet soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas, bottled waters, water beverages, 100 percent juice, juice drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks.
Collectively, our members have taken action and embraced innovation. Our efforts have cut calories in beverages and promoted the importance of a balanced diet and exercise in schools. We have made environmental stewardship a priority in industry operations, while searching for more ways to become even more environmentally conscious. We strive to communicate more effectively about our products and how they fit into a balanced lifestyle.
Board of Directors
Who makes your favorite beverage?
Our History
1914
Formation of Ohio Bottlers’ Association
Stated purpose of the group: “Collecting and circulating valuable information relating to bottled soda water, artificial and natural mineral waters, beer, ale, etc., and allied products, and protecting the property and effects of all persons engaged in the above stated business, and maintaining the standard of purity and sanitary conditions surrounding the preparation and manufacture of said goods, and generally to promote and maintain the general welfare and interests of all members of this Association who are engaged in the above said businesses and to do all things incident and necessary thereto.”
1948
Relocated to Columbus, Ohio
State purpose of group: “(t)o promote and to protect the interests of its members, to cultivate friendship, good-will and business cooperation among its members; to promote the sale and consumption of their products; and to standardize, as much as possible, the methods and efforts in the carbonated beverage industry, and generally to raise the standard of the bottled carbonated beverage industry in Ohio…”
1970–2018
Headquarters Remain in Columbus, Ohio
Stated purpose of group: “To promote in a lawful and legal manner the development, preservation, operation, maintenance, and general welfare of the soft drink industry of the State of Ohio. To foster a spirit of good will among those persons and firms engaged in the soft drink industry, to promote ethical practices in their relationships with each other, their employees, associates, and the general public, to the end that all interests may be served fairly…”
2018
Renamed to Ohio Beverage Association
Stated purpose of group: “OhioBev believes in protecting and advancing the non- alcoholic beverage industry in Ohio through collaboration and education with our members, legislators and community partners.”
We changed our name to better reflect the diverse portfolio of non-alcoholic beverages our members provide consumers. The tradition of integrity forged in 1914 also remains. Although mission statements change with the times, OhioBev proudly maintains core values and goals from every era.