This blog is written by Mark Hicken. Mark is a consultant to the BC wine and liquor industry (see his business web sites here: Alca Intelligence Inc. + TTGV Advisors). Mark is a former lawyer (now retired from law practice). Mark was recognized as one of the “500 Most Influential Business Leaders in British Columbia” in both 2023 and 2025 by Business in Vancouver magazine in the “wine” and “advocacy” categories.
Mark has a B.A. (Honours) from UBC and a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He has also completed the Wine Executive Program at the University of California, Davis. He is a member of the American Society for Enology & Viticulture and is on the Board of Directors of both the international and Canadian sections of AIDV – the International Association of Wine Lawyers (Association International des Jurists du Droit de la Vigne et du Vin).
Mark has contributed extensively to government consultations regarding liquor policy and the wine industry. In 2012, Mark appeared before the House of Commons Finance Committee as a witness in favour of Bill C-311 (the inter-provincial shipping law reform bill which became law in June 2012). In 2016, he appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce to discuss the issue of inter-provincial trade barriers and was quoted in their report Tear Down These Barriers: Dismantling Canada\’s Internal Trade Barriers. In late 2017, Mark was appointed as the BC Government’s Liquor Policy Advisor and chaired the Business Technical Advisory Panel (Liquor Policy). The Panel presented a report to government in spring 2018 which contained 24 recommendations for policy changes (sometimes now known as the ”Hicken Report”). The report and industry submissions can be viewed here: Improving Efficiency of Government and Business Interactions in BC Liquor Law and Policy.
Mark has been frequently quoted on wine law issues in the media, including in the Globe and Mail, the Economist, the National Post, the Vancouver Sun, the Toronto Star, Canadian Lawyer, Lawyers Weekly, BC Business, Business in Vancouver, CBC radio, CBC television, Global television, Wine Spectator, Wine Business Monthly and Wines & Vines.
Mark has had significant involvement with industry conferences and seminars. He was the co-founder and co-chair of the annual BC Wine & Liquor Law Conference, first held in Vancouver in 2009 in conjunction with the Vancouver International Wine Festival (now the AIDV Canada Wine & Liquor Conference). He has spoken at many industry conferences including the 2011 12th Annual Viticulture & Enology Conference in Penticton, the 2013 MNP Direct to Consumer Workshop in Penticton, the 2014 MNP Direct to Consumer Workshop in Niagara, the 2014 MNP Direct to Consumer Workshop in Penticton, the 2014 Pacific Toast Expo, the 2018 Fortify Conference held in Penticton, the 2020 Fortify Virtual Conference and the 2023 Fortify Conference held in Penticton. Mark has presented at international industry events including the 2013 through 2015 Wine Law in Washington conferences held in Walla Walla, the 2019 international AIDV conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, the 2024 international AIDV conference in Reims, France, the 2025 international AIDV conference in Verona, Italy, and the 2025 FIVS international conference in Kelowna, Canada.
Mark is a Past Chair of the Vancouver International Wine Festival and is currently a member of their Winery Selection Committee.