The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Allison Delande has joined the non-profit trade group as its first-ever Director of Special Projects.

An events management, marketing and branding expert, Delande spent the past 20 years strategically developing, building and managing brands through multiple channels, including in-person experiences, web, marketing, advertising and fund-raising.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working directly with Allison on several key events and initiatives over the last few years and have been incredibly impressed with her work ethic, passion, professionalism and expertise,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “Allison’s experience will greatly benefit the KDA and our members as we continue to market and grow the profile of Kentucky Bourbon around the world and strengthen the Commonwealth’s title as the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon.”

At the KDA, Delande will coordinate and elevate KDA-related events and initiatives, including the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, Order of the Writ, the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, KDA Annual Meeting, legislative receptions and other special projects and internal events.

Delande said she looks forward to using her talents to widen the impact of Kentucky Bourbon. 

“I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to join the KDA and further highlight its key initiatives,” Delande said. “Kentucky’s Bourbon industry is on an outstanding trajectory and I look forward to helping it achieve ever greater success.”

Delande comes to KDA from Minnick Media Inc., where she managed day-to-day operations, programming and experiential marketing for Fred Minnick’s growing business and brand. 

“Allison is going on to new and additional great opportunities with the KDA. It’s a hard loss for my organization, seeing such a multi-talented employee and outstanding person leave my company, but her transition is great for Bourbon at large,” Minnick said. “Working with the KDA, Allison will bring her knowledge and depth of experience to initiatives that benefit the entire industry. I look forward to partnering with her and the KDA on Bourbon-related events in the months and years ahead.” 

Born near Toronto, Canada, Delande grew up in Cincinnati and received her bachelor’s in fine arts from Northern Kentucky University. After moving from Chicago to Louisville in 2007 with her family, she served as marketing and event coordinator for the Louisville Water Company, managed all aspects of the Louisville Certified Tourism Ambassador program, and worked with Bourbon Women Association. 

She and her husband, Keith, have 16-year-old twins and live in Prospect.