Wine Industry Network (WIN) would like to invite industry professionals, experts, and insiders to submit ideas and topic suggestions for the 8th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo Trade Show & Conference (WIN Expo) to be held on December 5th, 2019, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

We encourage you to share your ideas regarding panel discussions, case studies, or presentations and consider joining our line-up of industry experts this December.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 12, 2019.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please follow the button below to get started.

Submit a Topic Idea 

3,000 Wine Industry Professionals Attend North Coast Wine Industry Expo

Healdsburg, CA, December 7, 2018 –The Wine Industry Network (WIN) today announced that the 7^th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo), held again at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, was another successful gathering of the north coast wine industry to conduct year-end business, attend educational workshops, and network with friends and colleagues.

The industry responded enthusiastically to the expanded educational options at WIN Expo with more attendees than ever registering for one or more of 12 conference sessions split into 3 distinct tracks; Winemaking & Production, Sales & Marketing, and Business Strategy & Leadership, presented by 45 powerhouse experts and industry thought leaders.

“In a dynamic and highly competitive industry like ours, it’s imperative to keep up with the trends and newest winemaking and business strategies,” said George Christie, President & CEO of Wine Industry Network. “We’re excited to be able to offer a conference program featuring leading experts in their fields that continues to be great resource for our local wine industry.”

WIN Expo Attendees had the opportunity to visit 300+ vendors and take advantage of the exceptional #ExpoDeals buying program, which offered one-day special deals from exhibiting companies. Several companies were featuring new products and services showcased to the industry for the first time making the trade show not just a place for shopping and networking, but a place for discovery and learning from experts on the trade show floor.

“The reason this event is so successful isn’t that complicated,” said Christie. “We have the best industry suppliers & service professionals showcasing the latest products and services, we have some of the most successful industry experts presenting on everything from how to make better wine to how best to market and sell it, and we have some of the most experienced and passionate winery professionals in attendance. When you bring all of these groups together, everyone leaves better prepared for the upcoming year.”

Wine Industry Network thanks all the attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors for making WIN Expo a success and encourages everyone to respond to the feedback survey to continue to improve the event each year.

About Wine Industry Network (WIN):

Wine Industry Network (WIN) (wineindustrynetwork.com), is based in Healdsburg, CA and is THE business resource for the wine industry. WIN produces two annual trade shows & conferences, the North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) (wineindustryexpo.com), and the Wine & Weed Symposium (wine-weed.com); the online daily news publication, Wine Industry Advisor (wineindustryadvisor.com); an online employment resource, WIN Jobs (wineindustry.jobs); and THE North American Wine Industry Database, Wine Industry Data (WIN Data) (wineindustrydata.com).

WIN Expo continues to be the best regional buying show of the year and will include nearly 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services available. Exhibitors will again be participating in the popular Expo Deals program (#ExpoDeals), where they will offer one-day, end-of-year specials to attendees. ExpoDeals will be promoted in the days leading up to the show so that attendees can plan their purchases prior to the event.

“ExpoDeals has become very popular with attendees who are looking to do some end-of-year business and who know that there will be great day-of specials at the show,” said George Christie, Founder & CEO of Wine Industry Network. “Our exhibitors have helped establish WIN Expo as ‘THE buying show’ for the wine industry and year after year, more deals are done right there on the floor as a result of so many great offerings.” 

To see the full list of this year’s conference topics, expert speakers, and registration information, please visit: wineindustryexpo.com

Waiting list available for companies still hoping to participate in successful annual event

Wine Industry Network announced today that exhibitor booth space has officially sold out and a waiting list is now open for companies hoping to participate in the successful WIN Expo, North Coast Wine Industry Trade Show & Conference now in its seventh year. The 2018 WIN Expo will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Santa Rosa, CA, on Thursday, December 6^th.

Each year over three thousand wine industry professionals from the region and beyond converge on the Sonoma County Fairgrounds to participate in the all-day tradeshow that features 300+ suppliers & service professionals, a robust educational conference, and the Expo Deals program (#ExpoDeals), where participating exhibitors will offer exclusive one-day, end-of- year specials to attendees.

This year, the expanded educational conference will feature twelve sessions in three separate tracks, Winemaking & Production, Wine Sales & Marketing, and Winery Strategy & Leadership. Attendees will be able to select one track or pick individual sessions ala carte. Attendee Registration for the WIN Expo will open at the end of August and attendees are encouraged to register early to take advantage of special earl-bird pricing opportunities.

Companies still hoping to participate are encouraged to add their name to the waiting list for booth space and they will be contacted by a first come first serve basis if space becomes available.

For more information about the Expo and to add your name to the exhibitor waitlist: www.wineindustryexpo.com

WIN donates ten-thousand dollars to #CAWineStrong. 

The Wine Industry Network (WIN) today announced that the 6^th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo), held again at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, was another successful gathering of the north coast wine industry to conduct year-end business, attend education workshops, and network with friends and colleagues.

Over 3500 attendees had the opportunity to visit 300+ vendors and capitalize on the expanded #ExpoDeals buying program, which offered one-day special deals from the exhibiting companies. The educational program expanded again this year and featured eight innovative conference sessions, three of which sold- out prior to the show.

“What makes the WIN Expo and Conference special is the quality of our exhibitors, our presenters, and our attendees” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “When you put that many passionate people in one place, something special happens and it’s the reason that the WIN Expo has become the must-attend wine industry event for the north coast.”

WIN pledged a portion of this year’s event proceeds based on attendance to #CAWineStrong, a support network formed by wine industry leaders to provide immediate assistance and long-term aid to victims of the Northern California wildfires and a check for $10,000 will be presented to the fire relief organization in the coming days.

“We wanted to support those who were hit the hardest in our community through #CAWineStrong,” added George Christie. “The turnout at this year’s event allowed us to make a nice donation and we’re happy to do it.”

The North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) is right around the corner, and the timing for making budgetary choices for the coming year couldn’t be any easier!

Online Registration Ends Tuesday 11/28 - Get Your Tickets Today!

The 6th annual WIN Expo, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, is a one-day event that offers access to 300 suppliers all showcasing the newest products and services along with 8 educational sessions focusing on trending issues facing the North Coast wine industry.

Wine in a can is not new, but the quality inside the can is. Quality now drives the growth of the canned wine category and consumers are responding.

Meet the Speakers

Early Bird pricing is available while tickets remain.

Register Today!

Harvest is over, juice is settling into secondary fermentation and vines are waiting to be pruned, so it’s time to plan out the next year’s budget.  With the North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) right around the corner, the timing for making budgetary choices couldn’t be any easier.

North Coast decision makers head over to check out prices, make connections, meet with vendors, new and known, and take advantage of the deals offered at pre-season pricing. Having the second largest wine industry show in North America nearby, with 300 vendors (and more on a waitlist) makes researching a much easier task.

If you live and work within reach, the 6^thannual WIN Expo, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, is very accessible. For those who haven’t yet been over to check out this one-day event, it offers access to new products and services along with key educational sessions on trending issues facing the North Coast wine industry. “We created the Expo to meet the needs of the most prominent wine grape growing region in the country and every year we try to take it one step further by continuing to expand the educational component and offer top notch vendor access. This was and continues to be our goal for this show,” says George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network, producer of the Expo.

Last year EXPO Deals was launched, essentially a “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday” for the wine industry. More than 60 vendors participated by offering one-day specials on production equipment, packaging, vineyard resources, and professional services. Discounts of 10-25% were commonly seen on items including website design, juice analysis, glass and bins, to name a few. Incentives or discounts were also given on big-ticket winery items like pumps and chillers as well as needed services.

Christie, who is the conceptualizer of the Expo Deals notes that, “This is a time of year when wineries often do their planning and some of the deals our vendors are offering will provide buyers the opportunity for significant savings.” On the exhibitor side, he notes, “If you are a vendor, it’s a benefit to have something special to offer so you can close the year stronger and have orders in place for the upcoming year. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Several vendors who have been participating in the WIN Expo in the first five years have expressed that they love this show, noting the quality of the attendees and the number of decision makers they see every year.  

Reiterates Christie, “This trade show and conference has become a regular part of the schedule for many wine industry professionals.  The best vendors are here exhibiting and there’s real business getting done. It’s the best buying show of the year.”

By Dawn Dolan

WineIndustryExpo.com
#WINexpo
#ExpoDeals

We are happy to announce that Exhibitor Registration is now available for the 6th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) being held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA.

How to Register

Follow the link below to download the Exhibitor Registration PDF and view the online Floor Maps to find open booth spaces (White spaces = Open, Gray spaces = Reserved). Send back pages 3 & 4 of the Registration PDF, indicating your booth choices in the space provided. A 50% deposit is required upon registration, and if you're planning to pay by check, please indicate that on the form as well. We will confirm your deposit payment and booth selection within 1 week of receipt.

Please keep in mind that booth space typically sells out very quickly after registration opens - we recommend that you act now to secure your participation at WIN Expo 2017.

Join us in a Q&A discussion with the Managing Director of Mobile for the New York Times, Scott Stanchak, as he answers a few questions regarding his upcoming WIN Expo conference topic, "Unlocking the Digital Sixth Sense: Living in a Mobile World".

Hi Scott, thank you for making some time for us today, so we can chat with you about your upcoming conference session at WIN Expo.

S. Stanchak: 

 "Thank you for having me. We've got some really great speakers lined up to help us define what it means to live in a mobile world, and to take a deeper dive into comparing these apps."

Q

What’s the one app you can’t live without?

S. Stanchak: 

 "It would be obvious to say Winery Passport, but I’m going to be honest and say Mail. Twitter is a close second."

Q

How do you expect the digital world will continue to integrate into the wine industry in the future?

S. Stanchak: 

 "The adoption of digital technology for both marketing and production is increasing in the wine industry, but still lags behind rates of other industries. Mobile, in particular, is where consumers are spending 65% of their digital time and apps represent 90% of that total. It will be up to wineries to recognize this shift to mobile isn’t happening, it’s happened. Just having a website isn’t enough anymore."

Q

How do you think technology will affect consumer products moving forward?

S. Stanchak:

 "A couple years ago, no one imagined that a majority of digital time spent would be on a phone. The only reason it’s not a larger percentage is because desktop computers are still prevalent in the workplace. Creating great wine is one step of the process. The next is getting that wine into consumers’ hands.

Technology enables wineries to connect their brand with consumers where they are. Today, it’s in an app. Tomorrow it could be a billboard within a virtual reality experience. Technology is also data, which helps inform wineries to make more cost-effective production, marketing and other decisions."

Stanchak will be moderating, joined by three other panelists in the session: “Unlocking the Digital Sixth Sense: Living in a Mobile World.”

Other panelists include Rick Breslin, Founder of Hello Vino; Aimee Cronin, VP of Partnerships for Drync; and Jim Goodman with Corkz.

Read More about this Session

Join us in a Q&A discussion with the CEO of Wine Channel TV Network, Jessica Altieri, as she dives into a few questions regarding her upcoming WIN Expo conference topic, "Insights into the Millennial Mind: Tapping into Their $1.3 Trillion Spending Power".

Hi Jessica, thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with us about your upcoming conference session at WIN Expo.

J. Altieri: 

 "I'm very excited to be a part of the Conference, thank you for having me!"

Q

As a millennial yourself, how do you feel you approach brand loyalty differently than generations before you?

J. Altieri: 

 I approach brand loyalty differently than other older generations because my generation shows loyalty in multiple ways. 

• • Social Media Loyalty
    • Besides wearing a certain clothing or sipping a certain wine, I show my loyalty thru other mediums such as Snapchat, instagram, facebook, twitter, pinterest, and more. Social media has changed the “loyalty game.” A study showed that “33% of millennials rely mostly on blogs before they make a purchase, compared to fewer than 3% for TV news, magazines and books.” - Source | Source

• • Social Proof
    • We look to our close friends, family and colleagues to see what they’re wearing and liking for inspiration. “According to the CrowdTwist study, 43.5 percent of Millennials said they use social media to spread the word about products or services.” We have more information than ever now, and brands have to take advantage of this and find ways to get us talking about their products.

• We don’t want fake ads, we want you to be REAL
  • Authenticity is the name of the game if brands want loyal millennials. We can smell a phony a mile away. And not only do we want you to be “real”, you are going to get our attention if you’re helping out a great cause.

Q

What brands, in any industry, do the best job appealing to the millennial generation and why?

J. Altieri: 

 There are a few brands that do the best job in appealing to the millennial generation. 

• • Netflix
    • “Netflix and chill” has made it cool to just stay in and seem like you are doing something when you are just sitting on your couch. Netflix has used social media campaigns that are always changing and keeping you on your toes. According to TheVideoInk.com, 75% of millennials with connected televisions are using them to watch Netflix. - Source.

• • Oreo
    • A legendary staple in cookie jars has showed millennials that they are listening. A rainbow Oreo cookie showed their desire to promote equality and the response was divided among fans. But the most important part is it had people talking. -Source

• • • Oreo has also used tech to gain brand loyalty and give personalized user experiences. As the South by Southwest festival, Oreo “turned tweets into treats... High-tech vending machines allowed festival-goers to create customized Oreo cookies based on trending Twitter topics through a technology similar to 3D printing. - Source

• • Apple
    • Constantly evolving is the key to their cult following. Now you see many people who are on their iPhone, iPad and iMac at the same time while wearing their Apple Watch.

• Coke, Google, Target, Amazon, Tom Shoes, Taco Bell
  • These companies all show Brand Value which equates to “Emotional benefits + Function benefits + Participative Benefits / Price.” - Source

Q

As the youngest generation currently impacting the wine industry, what do you think the future of the industry holds?

J. Altieri:

 More and more wines are available than ever and millennials are always looking to challenge their taste buds and try something new. This is great for higher end wines like boutique, smaller producers in areas like Paso Robles, Virginia and the Finger Lakes etc. This is also good for wines from different countries like South Africa, Georgia, Turkey, and Croatia.

Craft beers, ciders and cocktails are also competing for the millennials’ attention and dollars.

Larger wine corporations will continue to obtain the smaller wine brands as well. As shown in one study by Silicon Valley Bank, “the top three wine companies produce about half of this nation’s wines, and the top four wholesalers cover 60 percent of the market. The report doesn’t quite make the connection, but that concentration in production and distribution probably favors larger retailers with national reach, such as Total Wine & More, BevMo and supermarket chains such as Safeway.” - Source

The future is definitely sparkling; you just have to be look at it with Rosé-colored glasses!"

Altieri will be moderating, joined by three other panelists in the session: “Insights into the Millennial Mind: Tapping into Their $1.3 Trillion Spending Power.”

Other panelists include Mike Giese, Brand Manager for Hope Family Wines; Emily McKinney, Social Media Producer for Hollywood Today Live; and Richard Yau, Co-Founder of Bright cellars.

Learn More about this Session

WIN Expo to launch one-day industry buying event #ExpoDeals 

Healdsburg, Calif., June 20, 2016 - Exhibit space for the 5th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo), produced by Wine Industry Network has officially sold out. The 2016 WIN Expo has continually grown each year making it the 2nd largest trade show and conference in North America. The Expo will be held again at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA on Thursday, December 1st from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The event draws over 3000+ winemakers, grape growers, managers, purchasing decision makers and industry professionals each year creating a unique opportunity to learn from experts and network with old and new friends. New this year, #ExpoDeals will feature one-day only specials from the nearly 300 exhibitors at the show. 

The WIN Expo will host a series of top-level educational sessions led by industry experts sharing their knowledge about trends and latest discoveries. Topics will cover harvest updates, production innovations, grape and bulk wine forecasts, increasing sales using mobile technologies, marijuana’s impact on the wine industry and more.

“We’re really looking forward to the 2016 show,” says George Christie, President and CEO of WIN. “This is our 5th year and we plan to make it our best yet. We’re especially excited to launch a new one-day-only buying opportunity, #ExpoDeals, it’s going to be the Black Friday/Cyber Monday for the Wine Industry, something that has never been done before.”

Registration for the Expo opens in August along with a formal announcement of conference session topics and speakers. Conference packages will be available online and discounts will be offered to early registrants and for those purchasing multiple conference sessions. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available along with the opportunity to join our first-come first-serve exhibitor waiting list.

For more information, go to wineindustryexpo.com

Exhibitor Registration is open for the 5th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) being held on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA.

Exhibitor Booth sales have continued to accelerate since registration opened on April 4th, and the trade show floor is already over 90% sold out.

Get a jump on the 2017 selling season and finish your year strong by exhibiting at the 2016 North Coast Wine Industry Expo in December!

How to Register

1. Follow the link below to download the Exhibitor Registration PDF and view the online Floor Maps to find open booth spaces (White spaces = Open, Gray spaces = Reserved).
2. Send back pages 3 & 4 of the Registration PDF, indicating your booth choices in the space provided. A 50% deposit is required upon registration, and if you're planning to pay by check, please indicate that on the form as well.
3. We will confirm your deposit payment and booth selection within 72 hours of receipt.

Exhibitor Booths typically sells out very quickly and we encourage you to secure your space now for WIN Expo 2016.

Click below to get started.

Learn More / Registration

Limited booth space remains for 2016 WIN Expo

April 6^th, 2016, Healdsburg, CA – Exhibitor registration is now open and a limited amount of booths are still available for the 5th annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo), the largest wine industry trade show in the North Coast. The Expo will once again be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, in two adjacent buildings, the Hall of Flowers and Grace Pavilion, on Thursday, December 1, 2016.

WIN Expo features a comprehensive trade show along with invaluable networking opportunities and educational sessions and has become an integral end-of-year purchasing opportunity for North Coast grape growers, winery owners and winemakers.

“What makes this event stand out is the timing and the location. It’s exactly when the industry is researching new products and services they’ll need for the upcoming year and access to all of these great suppliers doesn’t get any easier,” said George Christie, Wine Industry Network President. “There are still a few spaces left for new suppliers who are looking to get in front of serious buyers, but those are filling up fast.”

The finalized topics and line-up of speakers for the conference will be announced when attendee registration opens in August. Booths for WIN Expo generally sell out very quickly – for more information, exhibitor registration, and to sign up for email updates visit wineindustryexpo.com

About the Wine Industry Network (WIN):

The Wine Industry Network (WIN) (wineindustrynetwork.com), is based in Healdsburg, CA and is the wine industry’s most comprehensive business resource website. WIN also produces the annual trade show & conference, North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) (wineindustryexpo.com), the online daily news publication, Wine Industry Advisor (wineindustryadvisor.com), an online employment resource, WIN Jobs (winejobboard.com), and the largest and most accurate set of data points and contacts for the North American wine industry, Wine Industry Database (WIN Data) (wineindustrydatabase.com).

Industry gathers again to support regional industry event

Healdsburg, Calif., December 7^th, 2015 – The 4^thAnnual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) which took place on December 4^th at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, was a great success again, solidifying it as a “must attend” business event for the North Coast Wine Industry. It remains the 2^nd largest wine industry trade show & conference in North America.

This year’s gathering was once again well supported by the region bringing together industry professionals, along with approximately 300 exhibitors, for a day of networking, conversation, and collaboration about the north coast wine industry.

Attendance was also up for the Expo’s 2015 conference which included four educational sessions that focused on efficiencies in wine production, vineyard operations, financial forecasting, and marketing technology. There was a full crowd for the lead session, State of the North Coast Wine Industry that featured Dr. Damien Wilson, Hammel Family Chair of the SSU Wine Business Institute.

Remaining true to WIN’s objective of continual improvement, many aspects of this year’s event were upgraded, beginning with registration & check in services, improved signage & décor, to an enhanced audio visual experience in the educational sessions.

“Despite being in our 4^th year, we continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support that we receive from the local industry,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “Even with the rain, which we obviously would like to see more of, the turn-out surpassed expectations. With the quality of the attendees and exhibitors improving each year, the WIN Expo has quickly become an end-of-year tradition for the North Coast Wine Industry.”

See pictures from WIN Expo on facebook

Not yet registered? There's still time. Limited seats still avalable in some conference sessions.

http://winexpo.eventbrite.com/ 

As millennials advance into their drinking years and artisan beer, cider and spirits continue to impact alcohol beverage sales, the wine industry would do well to rethink a business-as-usual operating strategy.

This comes from those who have a sharp eye on a swiftly changing market, including Dr. Damien Wilson, the inaugural Hamel Family Chair of Wine Education at Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute.

Wilson, who has more than 20 years experience in the wine industry from Australia, France and now the U.S., says that even though wine consumption is brisk throughout California and beyond, it’s good for the industry to be “a little bit worried” about the future.

“The wine sector works in cycles,” Wilson notes. “The value of (U.S.) wine exports is currently on par with that of France ($5.42/Litre v $5.46/Litre, respectively). The increase in perceived value of American wine continues and there are more wine consumers than ever before … but there’s good reason to have skepticism.”

Wilson believes that the current success of wine consumption and sales is due largely to a baby-boomer market that consumes a lot of wine and is willing to pay top dollar for the privilege.

“As baby boomers die off and move into retirement, we’ll have to refresh the market,” Wilson states bluntly. “If new consumers find something else of interest, they’ll follow that.”

Wilson is referring to the advance of the millennials, who often have neither the discretionary income nor the brand loyalty marked by many of their predecessors.

“Millennials are an incredibly curious group … utterly fascinated by the diversity of everything around them,” Wilson observes. “We’re constantly needing to find ways to keep them engaged … it’s a natural part of their upbringing to explore new cultures, new parts of the world, and new beverages.”

Wilson warns there’s a danger that the millennial market may perceive some premium wines as too “elitist,” and therefore find them off-putting. He’s a supporter of serving wine alongside other beverages, a concept he calls “beverage cross pollination.”

“People come in for a beer, and wine is there, and then there’s a recommendation, as friends say to one another, ‘you should try this.’ That’s cross pollination,” he explains. “Wine can become less alienating, more friendly. We need to manage that image very carefully.”

Along the lines of becoming friendlier, Wilson also ponders the lack of winery facilities for increasing numbers of visitors with families.

“My kids would rail at the idea of visiting a winery; there’s nothing at all there for them to do,” he points out. “Wineries need to reconsider their role as tourist appeals and entertainers for families, instead of focusing on parading their state-of-the-art pneumatic press. The wine sector needs to think a little bit outside the square.”

At the upcoming North Coast Wine Industry Expo on December 3rd in Santa Rosa, CA, Wilson will be moderating the kickoff conference session called “State of the North Coast Wine Industry: Presented by SSU Wine Business Institute.”

The session will focus on a review of the current year and what to expect in 2016, including the future impacts of craft beer, cider, spirits and the possible legalization of marijuana.

Wilson will be joined by panelists Ron Lindenbusch, the Chief Marketing Officer for Lagunitas Brewing Company; Ryan O’Connell, French-American Winemaking Prodigy for Naked Wines; and Eric Thompson, VP of Global Marketing for US Brands with Pernod-Ricard, Kenwood.

For more conference information and registration, go to http://www.wineindustryexpo.com/conference.php.

Comment

The 2015 North Coast Wine Industry Expo will feature four educational sessions focusing on efficiencies in wine production, vineyard operations, financial forecasting and marketing technology. Don't miss out on what is sure to be one of the industry's most-talked-about events of the year.

Big Brands, Big Lessons: Applying Successful Marketing and Social Media Strategies Used Outside the Wine Industry

Our final session, Big Brands, Big Lessons will be led by Paul Mabray, Group Director at W20, and a panel of global social media experts including Jessica Williams of VISA, Chuck Hemann of Intel, and Michael Brito of WCG, this advanced session will reach far beyond the dull intro to social media to explore a new frontier in ... read more.

Market Conditions for the North Coast Winegrape Industry: What Wineries and Growers Can Expect in 2016

The goal of this session is to delve into the current market conditions and trends predicted to impact the winegrape industry in 2016 and beyond. Based on the year’s recently completed harvest and bulk wine market, this session will present expert opinions weighing in on future grape prices, varietal demand, bulk market activity, potential regulatory issues and more. Grapegrowers and wineries will find this session invaluable as they ... read more.

Conservation, the New Innovation: Exploring Water Saving Technologies While Improving Wine Quality

Session two will focus on a variety of different water-saving technologies available today that can leave many winemakers and winery owners wondering which are right for them and their wines. This panel of experts will discuss new and innovative technologies that conserve ... read more.

State of the North Coast Wine Industry: Presented by SSU Wine Business Institute

This first session will be led by Sonoma State University’s Hamel Family Chair of Wine Business Education, Dr. Damien Wilson. Dr. Wilson will bring his more than 20-years of international wine industry experience to guide a panel of industry leaders in discussing the state of the ... read more.

Seating is Limited - Register Today!

The 2015 North Coast Wine Industry Expo will feature four educational sessions focusing on efficiencies in wine production, vineyard operations, financial forecasting and marketing technology.

State of the North Coast Wine Industry:
Presented by SSU Wine Business Institute

This first session will be led by Sonoma State University’s Hamel Family Chair of Wine Business Education, Dr. Damien Wilson. Dr. Wilson will bring his more than 20-years of international wine industry experience to guide a panel of industry leaders in discussing the state of the North Coast Wine Industry today and what to expect in ... read more.

Dr. Damien Wilson	Ron Lindenbusch	Ryan O'Connell	Eric Thomson

Conservation, the New Innovation:
Exploring Water Saving Technologies While Improving Wine Quality

Session two will focus on a variety of different water-saving technologies available today that can leave many winemakers and winery owners wondering which are right for them and their wines. This panel of experts will discuss new and innovative technologies that conserve water, save money and improve ... read more.

Nick Goldschmidt	Charlie Gilmore	Peter Kruger	Martin Moseley	Mark Theis

Market Conditions for the North Coast Winegrape Industry:
What Wineries and Growers Can Expect in 2016

The goal of this session is to delve into the current market conditions and trends predicted to impact the winegrape industry in 2016 and beyond. Based on the year’s recently completed harvest and bulk wine market, this session will present expert opinions weighing in on future grape prices, varietal demand, bulk market activity, potential regulatory issues and more. Grapegrowers and wineries will find this session invaluable as they prepare to make decisions for the ... read more.

Glenn Proctor	Cameron Lyeth	Bill Pauli	Scott Warren

Big Brands, Big Lessons:
Applying Successful Marketing and Social Media Strategies Used Outside the Wine Industry

Our final session, Big Brands, Big Lessons will be led by Paul Mabray, Group Director at W20, and a panel of global social media experts including Jessica Williams of Visa, Chuck Hemann of Intel, and Michael Brito of WCG, this advanced session will reach far beyond the dull intro to social media to explore a new frontier in ... read more.

Paul Mabray	Jessica Williams	Chuck Hemann	Michael Brito

Seats Are Filling Fast - Register Today!

The WIN Expo is now offering Harvest Special discounts for attendees who register for conference sessions and trade show access prior to October 30th. Don't miss out on what is sure to be one of the industry's most-talked-about events of the year.

The 2015 North Coast Wine Industry Expo will feature four educational sessions focusing on efficiencies in wine production, vineyard operations, financial forecasting and marketing technology.

This session will be led by Sonoma State University’s Hamel Family Chair of Wine Business Education, Dr. Damien Wilson. Dr. Wilson will bring his more than 20-years of international wine industry experience to guide a panel of industry leaders in discussing the state of the North Coast Wine Industry today and what to expect in 2016.

Registration is NOW OPEN!

The WIN Expo is now offering Harvest Special discounts for attendees who register for conference sessions and trade show access prior to October 30th. Don't miss out on what is sure to be one of the industry's most-talked-about events of the year.

The 2015 North Coast Wine Industry Expo will feature four educational sessions focusing on efficiencies in wine production, vineyard operations, financial forecasting and marketing technology.

The goal of this session is to delve into the current market conditions and trends predicted to impact the winegrape industry in 2016 and beyond. Based on the year’s recently completed harvest and bulk wine market, experts will weigh in on future grape prices, varietal demand, bulk market activity, potential regulatory issues and more. Grapegrowers and wineries will find this session invaluable as they prepare to make decisions for the upcoming year.

Registration is NOW OPEN!

The WIN Expo is now offering Harvest Special discounts for attendees who register for conference sessions and trade show access prior to October 30th. Don't miss out on what is sure to be one of the industry's most-talked-about events of the year.

Annual WIN Expo anticipates successful 4^th year event

Healdsburg, Calif., September 2^nd , 2015 – The 2015 North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo), presented by Wine Industry Network (WIN), has announced that attendee registration is officially open. The WIN Expo, now in its fourth year, has quickly become an integral end-of-year industry gathering for the region and will once again be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA on December 3^rd, 2015.

Industry professionals will have the opportunity to view products and services from nearly 300 exhibitors who will showcase their offerings in the two largest buildings at the fairgrounds, Hall of Flowers and Grace Pavilion. The Expo will also present four educational sessions featuring wine industry leaders and innovators sharing ideas, information, and predictions to help attendees better prepare for the coming year.

Conference Topics:

• 2015 State of the North Coast Wine Industry: Presented by Sonoma State Wine Business Institute
• Conservation, the New Innovation: Exploring water saving technologies while improving wine quality
• Market Conditions for the North Coast Winegrape Industry: What wineries and growers can expect in 2016
• Big Brands, Big Lessons: Applying successful marketing and social media strategies used outside the wine industry

“We couldn’t be more pleased with how this annual event has taken hold,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “This trade show brings the North Coast Industry together one final time each December and provides us with an excellent opportunity to evaluate the past year and plan for the future. The local industry has supported us from the very beginning, and to show our appreciation, we try hard to continually improve the experience for both the exhibitors and attendees.”

The WIN Expo will again offer Harvest Special discounts for attendees who register for conference sessions and trade show access prior to October 30^th and the final line-up of speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. To register or for more information about educational sessions and the trade show visitwww.wineindustryexpo.com.

About the Wine Industry Network (WIN)

Based in Healdsburg, CA, WineIndustryNetwork.com is the wine industry’s most comprehensive business resource website operating as an on-line trade show and created specifically to help industry professionals locate and connect more easily with the industry’s best suppliers and service professionals. WIN also produces the North Coast Wine Industry Expo www.wineindustryexpo.com, based in Santa Rosa, CA, the online industry publication, the Wine Industry Advisor and WIN Jobs (www.winjobboard.com), an online employment resource.

North Coast Event on Track for Another Year of Success

Healdsburg, Calif., May 28, – The Wine Industry Network (WIN) today announced that exhibitor booths for the 2015 WIN Expo have sold out in record time for the fourth straight year. A waiting list of hopeful exhibiting companies has been established and will be maintained until the event in December. Exhibitor participation in the North Coast show has continually grown along with attendance numbers since the shows inception in 2012 establishing it as the 2^nd largest wine industry trade show in North America.

This year’s event will once again be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Thursday, December 3^rdfrom 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Attendees can look forward to educational sessions featuring experts sharing their knowledge about industry trends and latest discoveries. An official announcement of topics and speakers is scheduled for August along with attendee trade show and conference registration opening that same month.  Conference packages will be available online at www.wineindustryexpo.com, discounts will be offered to early registrants and for purchasing multiple conference sessions.

“The North Coast wine industry has really embraced the WIN Expo and that is what’s driven the success of the event,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “We’re grateful for the support and will continue with our efforts to improve the trade show experience and educational content each year.”

About the Wine Industry Network (WIN):

Based in Healdsburg, CA, wineindustrynetwork.com is the wine industry’s most comprehensive business resource website operating as an on-line trade show and created specifically to help industry professionals locate and connect more easily with the industry’s best suppliers and service professionals. WIN also produces the North Coast Wine Industry Expo www.wineindustryexpo.com, based in Santa Rosa, CA, the US Beverage Industry Expo www.usbevexpo.com, based in Washington DC, the online industry publication, theWine Industry Advisor wineindustryadvisor.com and WIN Jobs www.winjobboard.com, an online employment resource.

Event Sees Over 10% Increase in Wine Industry Attendees

Dec. 10^th, 2014, Healdsburg, CA – The Wine Industry Network (WIN) today announced that attendance for the 3^rd Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo, held last week at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, was up 13% this year bringing in just over 3300 people, a new event record.

“We couldn’t be happier with the way the Expo and Conference turned out this year,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “Both of the buildings were bustling, exhibitors were able to meet face-to-face with their best customers, and in many cases they were writing orders.”

The Expo is a one day event that provides the north coast region easy access to hundreds of suppliers and service providers and opportunities for extended education from regional experts. “Many of the exhibitors were telling me that they were happy with traffic and quality of people that they were seeing. It’s exactly the type of environment we were looking to create when we started this event.”

This year’s Expo Lanyard Sponsor and industry supplier, Jim Belli, General Manager for Westec Tank & Equipment, agreed. “We’ve had positive experiences here every year, but this year was the best yet. The traffic was steady all day, and it was a great opportunity for us to connect with new and existing customers.”

“We were very pleased with the show and felt that both the quantity and quality of contacts was very good,” said Michael Coleman, Sales & Marketing for Hotsy Pacific Cleaning Systems. “I felt the show was well organized, and we were pleased with the experience.”

The Wine Industry Network is continually looking to improve the event each year both organizationally and in attendance. “We are proud of the impact that this event has had on the wine industry,” said, Christie. “Many of the thought leaders in our industry came together this year, and we hope that they will continue to support the event in the years to come.”

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Wine industry financiers are predicting robust activity for winery and vineyard mergers and acquisitions throughout the remainder of 2014 and heading into the New Year.

According to industry experts, vineyard acquisition activity appears particularly lively, especially for companies seeking to extend their holdings beyond current appellations.

“The growth we’re seeing is internal, organic growth moving outside the appellation,” confirms Clay Popko, Vice President of Lending at American AgCredit. “We don’t see any weakness or driver that is going to slow down acquisition.”

Popko notes that large wineries seeking such expansion do face brand identity challenges as they move into new terrain.

“In Napa you’re defined by county,” Popko points out. “So how do you grow the brand and still maintain identity? Large wineries starting to explore other counties are doing so (with that in mind) very cautiously.”

The trend toward moving outside of traditionally held boundaries could be the result of wine-related companies realizing that in order to compete effectively in the marketplace, they need to maintain larger control over their resources.

“Wineries are recognizing that if they don’t own increasing shares of their own vineyards, they’ll lose out on supply,” explains Robert Nicholson, a Principal at International Wine Associates (IWA), one of the country’s leading wine industry mergers & acquisitions boutique advisories, with more than $1 billion in transaction value since 1990.

Nicholson concurs that there is a movement toward acquisition outside of appellation, noting that IWA has opened up satellite companies in Washington and Oregon because of the high level of activity there.

“Companies have discovered alternative locations for high quality Pinot Noir in Oregon and Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington for significantly lower vineyard prices,” Nicholson affirms.

Both Popko and Nicholson will be exploring these and other trends during an upcoming conference session at the North Coast Wine Industry Expo in December called “What to Expect on the 2015 Financial Front: Mergers and Acquisitions Forecast.”

They will be joined on the panel by Joe Ciatti, Principal at Zepponi & Company, who will speak from more than forty years of wine industry transaction experience in California, Oregon and Washington; and John Mackie, Managing Partner at Carle, Mackie, Power & Ross, LLP, who will provide a business law perspective from his Sonoma County firm’s background in finance and lending, business organization and mergers and acquisitions contract law.

The panel will be moderated by Brad Bollinger, the publisher of the North Bay Business Journal, a weekly publication covering all aspects of business in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties.

By Elizabeth Hans McCrone

Register/View Sessions

Keg wines featured in session discussion and trade show tasting

This year’s North Coast Wine Industry Expo, held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on December 4th, will include a wine tasting that features keg wines on tap. This tasting will serve as an extension of one of the day’s six conference sessions, Non-Traditional Packaging: The Evolution of Wine on Tap.

The tasting will be held at two separate pouring stations, one in the Grace Pavilion and one in the Hall of Flowers. Scheduled toward the end of the day’s event, the tasting will take place between 2 – 3:30 p.m. Expo exhibitors Rehrig Pacific Company and Free Flow Wines, both California companies, will co-host the tasting and will each share one red and one white varietal in kegs with Expo attendees and exhibitors.

"This is a great way to add an interactive element to our education component," said, George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “Although the tasting is open to all Expo attendees, the folks who attend the Non-Traditional Packaging session will be able to sample and enjoy the wines on tap and immediately experience some of what they just heard at the panel discussion.”

The innovative evolution of wine on tap has become an increasingly popular and profitable method of wine packaging and distribution. Michael Cervin, wine industry writer will preside over the session as moderator. Industry experts who will be on the panel discussing this channel of non-traditional packaging will include: Jordan Kivelstadt, Free Flow Wines, Jason Moore, Alluvial Brokers, Greg Kitchens, Don Sebastiani and Sons, and Timothy Felkner, Vigilante Hospitality.

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Featured at NCWIE

A recent article in the business section of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat has depicted the California wine industry wringing its hands over the defection of millennial drinkers into the alluring fields of craft beer, hard cider and fancy cocktails.

While statistics and studies might corroborate this trend, many in the wine business view the millennial movement as an opportunity to expand their own enterprises, rather than a foregone conclusion of doom and gloom for wine.

Take Alex Villicana, owner of the Villicana Winery in Paso Robles, CA for example. Incidentally, Villicana is also the proprietor of Re:Find Distillery, a handcrafted spirits company that, literally, has its roots in wine.

In 1991, Alex and his wife Monica began on a journey to what became their successful Villicana Winery, a feat they managed through sheer willpower and a fierce passion for the industry.

"I didn’t get the memo that said you needed to have a fortune to get started in the wine business," laughs Villicana. "For years it was just us – or a volunteer running things, like a sister or brother or our parents."

Their hard work paid off, however, and several years ago the Villicanas found themselves in a position to look for ways to expand the business. Their search happened to coincide with the initial wave of renewed interest in artisan, distilled spirits, especially among younger adults.

The brainchild for their business growth centered on saignée, the free-run juice from red wine grapes that is often discarded before fermentation or used to make rosé. It occurred to the sustainability-minded Villicanas that the juice had a higher calling – and that it could actually be utilized to make distilled spirits.

"We realized that 30 percent of the raw material for our wine was going to waste," Villicana says. "I thought, man, that’s fantastic juice!"

The result? In 2011, the two became owners of the first, licensed distillery in Paso Robles. And, their handcrafted Re:Find vodka and gin are selling like hotcakes.

"It was definitely a stretch for us," Villicana admits. "We were going out on a limb. As it turns out, we sold (our vodka and gin) as fast as we could put it in a bottle."

Alex Villicana will be sharing the details of his inspirational story at the upcoming 2014 North Coast Wine Industry Expo, where he is a featured speaker on a panel titled "Pet Projects in the Cellar: Wineries Explore Beer, Cider and Distilled Spirits as Additional Revenue Sources."

Villicana will be joined by Jim Crooks, Master Blender at Firestone BarrelWorks, who will explain how his brewing team’s experiments grew into a valuable extension of the Firestone Walker brand and Paul Scotto, co-founder of Pacific Coast Ciders, who works in tandem with his brother to develop a dedicated line of handcrafted, hard ciders.

Alyssa Rapp, founder and CEO of Bottlenotes, Inc., one of the leading, interactive media companies in the U.S. for the wine and craft beer industries, will moderate the panel. Bottlenotes is dedicated to educating and entertaining consumers via email newsletters, large-scale interactive events, social media platforms and video content. Rapp was named in Inc. Magazine’s "30 Under 30" coolest entrepreneurs in America and one of the wine industry’s 100 most influential people by Intowine.com in both 2012 and 2013.

Rapp says she has immediate plans to incorporate more of what she calls "the cocktail culture" into her business model, especially as it relates to female consumers.

"We know our audience doesn’t just drink wine," Rapp says. "Wine consumers are 70 percent female, to 30 percent male. But from our own internal Daily Sip records, we see that nearly 70 percent of women who drink are also intrigued by and frequently enjoy spirits and cocktails."

Rapp is impressed that the 2014 North Coast Wine Industry Expo is dedicating one of its premiere conference sessions to a comprehensive, best-practices discussion that can be shared across all beverage categories.

"The fact that (the Wine Industry Network) was clever and wise enough to put together this session says to me they have a finger on that pulse," Rapp notes.

Register/View Sessions

 - By Elizabeth Hans McCrone

It is essential that your winery or vineyard remain aware of the trends, challenges and opportunities that are shaping the wine industry today. The 3rd Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo has expanded the educational component offered at this year’s event to feature six conference sessions.

This week’s spotlight focuses on the Sustainable Certification session. This session will explore the increasing need to follow sustainable practices and will cover several sustainability certifications currently available to the wine industry. The Sonoma Winegrape Commission recently announced the goal to have all growers sustainable by 2019. While large organizations pursue grant and organizational funding to achieve sustainable goals, small wineries and organizations can strive for similar goals while accessing a different pool of resources. This panel offers insights, advice and resources to winery and vineyard owners and managers who desire a more sustainable business operation.

About the Speakers

Moderating this panel will be Tony Linegar, Sonoma County’s Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. Linegar has worked in the agricultural sector for nearly two decades, including positions for Shasta, Mendocino, and Sonoma County. He comes equipped with a deep knowledge base covering both the California wine industry and the sustainability issues and certifications that define the California region.

Additionally the panel will feature two winegrowing alliance representatives, a winemaker, and a sustainability consultant.

• Allison Jordan, Executive Director at the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and Vice President of Environmental Affairs for Wine Institute, heads up the NGO that was incorporated in 2003 to promote environmental and social responsibility in the California wine industry.
• Karissa Kruse, President at Sonoma County Winegrowers, will further discuss the role of sustainability in the California region.
• Matthew Crafton, Winemaker at the famed Chateau Montelena Winery, will discuss the sustainable certification process from a winemaking perspective.
• John Garn, Founder of ViewCraft, will counsel winemakers on the large and small steps that can be taken on the road to effective sustainability.

Register/View Sessions

It is essential that your winery or vineyard remain aware of the trends, challenges and opportunities that are shaping the wine industry today. The 3rd Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo has expanded the educational component offered at this year’s event to feature six conference sessions.

This week’s email spotlight focuses on the Finance & Economic Outlook session that will delve into current events impacting the wine industry in 2015 and beyond. Financial thought leaders representing the North Coast wine industry will weigh in on trends specific to the financial road that lies ahead. This collaborative session will provide attendees with short and long-term predictions and the tools necessary to prepare for a successful 2015.

About the Speakers

Moderating this panel will be Brad Bollinger, associate publisher and editor in chief of the North Bay Business Journal. In his role as editor in chief, Bollinger has had his hand on the pulse of business in the Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties since 2005. Before joining the Journal, Bollinger was business editor and columnist for The Press Democrat. During his time as business editor The Press Democrat won several "Best in Business" awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and a Polk Award for the 2005 series on globalization, “Global Shift.”

Additionally the panel will feature financial leaders from the business, agricultural, wine and legal sectors. Robert Nicholson, Principal at International Wine Associates, has led IWA to its status as the leading New World wine industry mergers & acquisitions boutique advisory. Clay Popko, Vice President of Lending at American AgCredit’s Vineyard and Winery Finance Group, will provide an outlook on the Napa Valley region stemming from his 20+ years of career experience. Joe Ciatti, Principal at Zepponi & Company, has a deep network of industry influencers and a long track-record of high profile vineyard and winery transactions. John Mackie, Managing Partner at Carle, Mackie, Power & Ross, LLP, will provide a business law perspective garnered from practice’s focuses on finance and lending, business organization and mergers and acquisitions.

REGISTER / VIEW SESSIONS
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Expo Will Feature Enhanced Educational Sessions

Healdsburg, Calif., August 19, 2014 – The Wine Industry Network (WIN) announced attendee registration for the 2014 North Coast Wine Industry Expo to be held on December 4^th opened today. Industry professionals can register for access to the trade show and to attend any of the six educational sessions by visiting wineindustryexpo.com/attendees

This year’s Expo will once again showcase nearly 300 of the industry’s best suppliers in both the Grace Pavilion and Hall of Flowers at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA. An enhanced educational component, featuring six sessions, continues WIN’s commitment to refine this event each year to better meet the needs of the North Coast wine industry. The six sessions will feature industry leaders speaking on the following topics:

• What to Expect on the 2015 Financial Front: Mergers and Acquisitions Forecast
• DTC Technology Solutions: Creating an Engaging Wine Experience Beyond the Tasting Room
• Pet Projects in the Cellar: Wineries Explore Beer, Cider and Distilled Spirits as Additional Revenue Channels
• Wine and The Endangered Species Act: Avoid Pitfalls and Successfully Navigate Current Policy
• Non-Traditional Packaging: The Evolution of Wine on Tap and What Every Winery Should Know
• Sustainable Certification: Newest Techniques and Benefits of Compliance

“The superior quality of our exhibitors along with the expanded educational sessions makes this event a necessity for all North Coast wine industry professionals,” says George Christie, Wine Industry Network President. “We assemble the best suppliers and service providers along with industry experts who are willing to share their knowledge on a wide variety of important topics. It all happens in one place on one day, it’s a think tank session you don’t want to miss.”

The line-up of speakers and complete details for the conference are now available online. To attend, visitwineindustryexpo.com/attendees to register now.

About the Wine Industry Network

Based in Healdsburg, California, WineIndustryNetwork.com is the wine industry’s most comprehensive business resource website operating as an on-line trade show and created specifically to help industry professionals locate and connect more easily with the industry’s best suppliers and service professionals. WIN also produces The North Coast Wine Industry Expo (wineindustryexpo.com), based in Santa Rosa, California, the US Beverage Expo in Washington DC (usbevexpo.com) and its online industry publication, the Wine Industry Advisor (wineindustryadvisor.com).

June 3rd, 2014, Healdsburg, CA - The Wine Industry Network (WIN) today announced that all 338 available booths for the 3rd annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo have sold out. The Expo is the 2nd largest wine industry trade show in North America and will be held on December 4th in Grace Pavilion and the Hall of Flowers at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA.

Expo attendees will have two additional educational sessions to choose from this year bringing the total number to six. Panel discussions will focus on current industry trends relevant to the North Coast wine industry. Conference and trade show registration will open online at www.wineindustryexpo.com on August 4, 2014 and discounts will be offered when purchasing multiple conference sessions.

“The support that the local wine industry as well industry suppliers from across the country, have shown the North Coast trade event has been phenomenal,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “We’re working hard to deliver an exceptional experience to the industry as well as access to the best industry suppliers and the products and services they provide.”

Companies that would like to exhibit at this year’s event may join the waiting list at: www.wineindustryexpo.com/waitlist

About the Wine Industry Network (WIN):

Based in Healdsburg, California, WineIndustryNetwork.com is the wine industry’s most comprehensive business resource websites operating as an on-line trade show and created specifically to help industry professionals locate and connect more easily with the industry’s best suppliers and service professionals. WIN also produces The North Coast Wine Industry Expo, based in Santa Rosa, California, and the online industry publication, the Wine Industry Advisor (wineindustryadvisor.com).

3^rd Annual Industry Trade Show Continues to Grow 

April 1^st, 2014, Healdsburg, CA – The Wine Industry Network (WIN) today announced that exhibitor registration for the 3^rd annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo, the second largest wine industry trade show in North America, is now open to the public. The Expo will, once again, be held in two adjacent buildings, Grace Pavilion and the Hall of Flowers, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa on Thursday, December 4, 2014.

Over the past two years, the Expo has continued to expand its booth space and this year will provide additional oversized booth areas that will accommodate large equipment vendors. These expansions are in direct response to the growth that the show continues to experience each year. Not only has exhibitor space grown, but the show’s attendance numbers have increased as well with over 3,200 industry professionals attending last year’s event. This year, the show organizers are expecting that number to increase to 4,000 show attendees.

“Nearly 90% of last year’s exhibitors are returning for the 2014 show, but, there is always room for new exhibitors looking for additional exposure,” said George Christie, Wine Industry Network President. “We’re extremely grateful to have such amazing support from the local industry as well as from folks across the country,” added Christie. “Our goal is to improve the event each year and provide the best value for both our exhibitors and attendees.”

This year the Expo’s educational component will also expand to accommodate a total of six sessions that will cover a full range of industry topics such as Vineyard, Production, Finance, Tasting Room Sales and Distributor Management – all offered by top industry professionals. The finalized topics and line-up of speakers for the conference will be announced when attendee registration opens in August 2014.

Exhibitor registration is now open for the 2014 Show and booths are expected to sell out quickly.  For more information, visit www.wineindustryexpo.com.

Industry Experts to Provide Insights in Viticulture, Production, Finance & Sales

Healdsburg, Calif., October 3, 2013 – The Wine Industry Network today announced the session topics and line-up of industry experts speaking at this year’s North Coast Wine Industry Expo on December 5^th at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA. The Expo, established in 2012, will feature 300 of the industry’s best suppliers and is now the second largest trade show in North America. It will also include an educational component with four sessions that will cover Viticulture, Finance, Production, and Sales & Marketing.

The first session of the day, Branding Your Vineyard, will focus specifically on vineyard marketing. Vineyard owners and grape brokers will discuss the benefits that accompany a well-known property and will explore a variety of tactics designed to build a quality reputation and vineyard identity. This panel’s extensive experience will provide insight into what really drives demand for a particular vineyard and its impact on price.

The North Coast 2014 Financial Forecast brings together industry experts and financial thought leaders to weigh in on economic trends and how to prepare for and/or capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead. This interactive session will provide attendees with an assessment of recent happenings as well as short and long-term predictions for the year ahead.

The production session, Trending Technology in the Cellar, features a distinguished panel of winemakers who will explore the latest developments in the production process and discuss the challenges and solutions found in utilizing these advancements. Representing wineries of varying production sizes and techniques, these experts are sure to offer unique perspectives for every attendee.

An information-packed Sales & Marketing session, Driving Tasting Room Traffic, is guaranteed to bring valuable information to any winery that wishes to increase the number of visitors to their retail experience. This session brings together experts in tourism and tasting rooms to discuss how to build a winery experience that stands out in the crowd and attracts loyal brand fans.

“We have the industry’s best suppliers exhibiting and for the educational sessions, we’ve assembled some of the most experienced and successful people in the region willing share what they’ve learned,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “It’s the sharing of best practices that makes our industry unique and what continues to propel the north coast wine industry forward.”

Session Director: Elizabeth Slater

2013 NCWIE Speakers

Vineyard

Nick Frey: (Moderator) Past President of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission,

Brian Clements: Vice President and Partner at Turrentine Brokerage,

Steve Sangiacomo: Partner at Sangiacomo Family Vineyards

Michael Brughelli: Sales Director at Bien Nacido Vineyards.

Finance

Rob McMillan: (Moderator) Executive Vice President and Founder of the Wine Division at Silicon Valley Bank Rick Boland: Senior Business Consultant at Moss Adams, LLP

Joe Ciatti: Principal at Zepponi & Company

Steve Jannicelli: Senior Manager at Burr Pilger Mayer

Production

Clark Smith: (Moderator) Owner and Founder of WineSmith Consulting

Charles Tsegeletos: Director of Winemaking at Cline Cellars

Penny Gadd-Coster: Executive Winemaker at Rach and Riddle Winery

Matt Hughes: Winemaker at Six Sigma Ranch

Sales & Marketing

Colby Smith: Founder and Executive Director of Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma (CANVAS) Beth Costa: Executive Director of the Wine Road of Northern Sonoma County

Amber Moshin: Co-Proprietor of Moshin Vineyards and Winery

Chris Parker: Hospitality Manager at St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery

Session Sponsor:	Session Sponsor:	Session Sponsor:	Session Sponsor:

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About the Wine Industry Network

 Based in Healdsburg, California, WineIndustryNetwork.com is the wine industry’s most comprehensive business resource website operating as an on-line trade show and created specifically to help industry professionals locate and connect more easily with the industry’s best suppliers and service professionals. WIN also produces The North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WineIndustryExpo.com), based in Santa Rosa, California, and its online industry publication, the Wine Industry Advisor (WineIndustryAdvisor.com).

Offering insights to those working in winery production, the North Coast Wine Industry Expo has announced the topic for its final educational session –Trending Technology in the Cellar. This session will take a look at some of the technological advances in the production process and the solutions they offer to winemaking teams of all sizes.

Session Moderator, Clark Smith, or as he likes to call himself, the “winemaking sidekick,” has been in the wine business for more than 40 years and today owns and operate his own consulting business, WineSmith Consulting. While he covers all areas of the production process he has recently been recognized as an industry pioneer in technology integration.

As Smith explores today’s cellar technologies from a consultant’s perspective, attendees will also hear from three individual wineries. Cline Cellars Director of Winemaking Charlie Tsegeletos, Rack and Riddle Winery Executive Winemaker Penny Gadd-Coster and Six Sigma Ranch Winemaker Matt Hughes will all weigh in with their personal experiences and anecdotes as to how they’ve utilized technology in the winemaking process. Representing three diverse wineries that cover a range of production sizes and winemaking techniques, this group is sure to offer all attendees relatable and relevant information.

Registration for the Second Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo is now available at www.wineindustryexpo.com/attendees. Sign up today to take advantage of the Harvest Special pricing and to ensure your seat at these valuable educational sessions.

Register Today!

The North Coast Wine Industry Expo, the second largest wine industry tradeshow in North America, announces its third educational session – Branding Your Vineyard. Offering relevant resources to Vineyard owners and managers, this topic has been developed with the goal of exploring the opportunities to build an identity around your vineyard in a way that directly affects grape sales.

Moderating this panel will be the former President of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC), Nick Frey. During his time as President, Frey work with the members of the SCWC to support the organization’s marketing mission of increasing the value of Sonoma County winegrapes while nurturing and protecting the agricultural resources.

The panel will feature Steve Sangiacomo, a third generation vineyard owner, who will discuss the benefits that accompany a recognized vineyard name and the steps the Sangiacomo family have taken over the years to distinguish their winegrape operations.

Brian Clements, Vice President and Partner at Turrentine Brokerage, brings his extensive experience working with vineyards throughout California to the discussion. Brian will provide insight into what really drives demand for a particular vineyard and its impact on price.

Michael Brughelli, Sales Manager for the Thornhill Companies, which includes one of the nation’s most iconic vineyards, the renowned Bien Nacido Vineyards, will present his perspective and experience on ultra-premium winegrowing and the significance of selecting the best wineries to work with.

Registration for the Second Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo is now available atwww.wineindustryexpo.com/attendees. Sign up today to take advantage of the Harvest Special pricing and to ensure your seat at these valuable educational sessions.

#visitNCWIE Contest Opens September 3

Every Monday from September 9th until the show opens on December 5th, four lucky winners will be drawn to receive free floor passes ($25.00 value) to the 2013 North Coast Wine Industry Expo!

All winners will also be entered into a drawing for a FREE PASS to one of the four Educations Sessions being offered at the show ($65.00 value). Each week two winners from Facebook and two winners from Twitter will be drawn per the rules of play!

Facebook Rules of Play!

To enter into the drawing, you must like the North Coast Wine Industry Expo page and comment on a post tagged #visitNCWIE. Every comment you make (max 1 per post) gives you one lot in the following Monday's drawing for a free floor pass. The post you comment on must be no more than 7 days old to qualify. The Winners will be announced on the North Coast Wine Industry Expo facebook page every Monday. Winners on Facebook must contact us directly through Facebook to collect their free floor pass.

Twitter Rules of Play!

To enter into the drawing, you must tweet the name of an NCWIE exhibitor whose booth you'd like to visit and include the hashtag #visitNCWIE. Every tweet you make (max 1 per day) gives you one lot in the following Monday's drawing for a free floor pass. For exhibitors who have a Twitter account, we encourage you to use their @TwitterHandle, but it is not a requirement. The Winners will be announced by @industryexpo on Twitter every Monday.

Sample tweets

I want to check out the corky accessories from @Cortizza at booth 821 #visitNCWIE

I'll #visitNCWIE to see a demonstration of @OnTargetSpray

Hi @Portocork Will you have cork samples in your booth at the North Coast Wine Industry Expo? #visitNCWIE

Full Exhibitor List

Exhibitors on Twitter

WIN Conference Session Tickets

The contest ends on Monday, December 2nd. All previous Facebook and Twitter winners will be entered into the drawing for a conference FREE PASS. Once the contest has closed, we will draw one winner for each of the 4 conference sessions.

Four Educational Sessions are Paired with This Year’s Expanded Trade Show

Healdsburg, Calif., August 12, 2013 - The Wine Industry Network (WIN) announced attendee registration for the 2013 North Coast Wine Industry Expo opened today. Industry professionals can register for access to the trade show and to attend any of the four educational sessions by visiting www.wineindustryexpo.com/attendees

Now in its second year, the Expo has expanded the tradeshow floor at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds to include the Hall of Flowers, creating an additional 130 exhibitor booths for attendees to visit. Four educational seminars will also be offered featuring industry leaders speaking on the following topics: Branding Your Vineyard, North Coast 2014 Financial Forecast, Trending Technology in the Cellar and Driving Tasting Room Traffic.

“We have nearly 300 of the industry’s best suppliers exhibiting and for this year’s educational sessions, we are assembling some of the most experienced and successful people in the region willing share what they’ve learned with the attendees,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “It’s the sharing of best practices that makes our industry unique and what continues to propel the North Coast Wine Industry forward”.

The expanded trade show and new topics featured in the educational seminars are sure to bring the North Coast Wine Industry Expo to a new level as it enters its second year. The finalized line-up of speakers for the conference will be announced next month. The Expo will be held on December 5^th at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds; attendees can visit http://www.wineindustryexpo.com/attendees to register now.

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About the Wine Industry Network

Based in Healdsburg, California, WineIndustryNetwork.com is the wine industry’s most comprehensive business resource website operating as an on-line trade show and created specifically to help industry professionals locate and connect more easily with the industry’s best suppliers and service professionals. WIN also produces The North Coast Wine Industry Expo, based in Santa Rosa, California, and its online industry publication, the Wine Industry Advisor (www.WineIndustryAdvisor.com). 

Program Guide to Showcase Healdsburg Artist, Richard Sheppard

Healdsburg, Calif., July 31, 2013 - The Wine Industry Network (WIN) today announced that a new creative element will be added to this year’s North Coast Wine Industry Expo (NCWIE). The artwork of Sonoma County artist, Richard Sheppard, has been chosen for the cover of this year’s program guide. Sheppard will also be present, exhibiting more of his artwork at the event.

Sheppard is an artist, illustrator and writer. For over twenty years he has illustrated books, posters, and package designs and his watercolors can be viewed at art galleries, wineries, and art festivals around the San Francisco Bay Area.

 “We wanted to find a way to incorporate the beauty of the North Coast region at our event,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network. “When we saw Richard’s work, we knew that a collaboration of this type would be the perfect way to do it. He’s incredibly talented and we couldn’t be happier to have one of his watercolors as the cover for our program guide.”

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Expo this year. It will provide some great exposure for my work, and as an artist, it’s always great to meet other art lovers,” said featured artist, Richard Sheppard. 

This year’s Expo will once again be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on December 5^th with attendee registration for the event opening August 7. Topics for this year’s four educational conference sessions will also be announced on that day. Conference and trade show registration will open online at www.wineindustryexpo.com and discounts will be offered when purchasing multiple conference sessions. 

Thursday December 5, 2013
Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA

 

View Sponsorship & Advertising Packet

 

 

2013 Advertising Opportunities Announced

The 2nd Annual 2013 North Coast Wine Industry Expo is currently the second largest wine industry trade show in North America showcasing 300+ industry exhibitors and is expected to easily surpass last year's attendance and attract 3000+ North Coast industry buyers and professionals.

A variety of sponsorship and advertising programs are now available for companies desiring additional exposure to winery owners, winemakers, vineyard managers, tasting room buyers and management personnel expected at this year's show.

These marketing opportunities are designed to capture attention before, during and after the Expo when they refer to the program guide,website and show promotions.

Please note that opportunities and availability are limited and are subject to change. For more detailed information about the 2013 opportunities, please contact Dan Eliason at Dan@WineIndustryNetwork.com or info@wineindustryexpo.com