Business Alliance

Originally established as a Hospitality Resource Panel, the Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS), Community Outreach Office provides leadership to promote efficient and responsible management of county stores and businesses that sell or serve beverage alcohol in Montgomery County, MD.
The Community Outreach Office began developing business alliances in 2002, team members, consisting of prevention specialists, highway safety, recreation, liquor inspectors, police, urban partnership teams, restaurant associations, trainers/alcohol server education programs and local chambers.

Community Outreach Business Alliance goals and objectives are to:

• Reduce drunk driving and alcohol related crime stemming from over service and service of alcohol to under 21 persons
• Provide incentives and resources for responsible hospitality
• Enhance capacity of existing agencies and associations to use resources more affectively
• Improve practices of high risk establishments through risk assessments, trainings and business meetings
• Create specific operational criteria for new businesses
• Facilitate efficient accessibility to information and educational programs on responsible hospitality
• Enhance professional skills and image of those working in the industry

Program tools include:

• State certified alcohol server training
• Cops in Shops Program (CIS)
• Risk Assessments
• Local business meetings