That's what it is. Why should a guy or guys not be able to take a system that they are familiar with, contacts, methods, and practices that belong to another company and try to pull off an event that they imagine will be a threat to an event with 30 years' history? I wish them luck. For me, the tradition of a facility that was unable to meet our needs as a convention holds no nostalgia; Just history. The past is in the past with us being a tailgate- meeting sized event in the East. I stand firm on my position that the place for exhibitors and attendees at our annual convention is wherever Vineyard & Winery Management puts it.
Free enterprise.
That's what it is. Why should a guy or guys not be able to take a system that they are familiar with, contacts, methods, and practices that belong to another company and try to pull off an event that they imagine will be a threat to an event with 30 years' history? I wish them luck. For me, the tradition of a facility that was unable to meet our needs as a convention holds no nostalgia; Just history. The past is in the past with us being a tailgate- meeting sized event in the East. I stand firm on my position that the place for exhibitors and attendees at our annual convention is wherever Vineyard & Winery Management puts it. As a supplier, this page on the calendar is always a good thing. Soon, we will begin the circuit of what is effectively a family reunion tour for people who have been in and around the wine industry as long as I have.
We begin the season with the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento. I am guessing that the number of attendees will threaten, if not exceed 10,000 this year. What a circus! For anyone involved in commercial grape growing and winemaking, this is the big event in North America. More so an experience than an actual shopping destination for the new winery planner in the East, it houses more WOW than other events. I tend to wander this show, spending time floating between Custom Metalcraft, Carlsen & Associates, Amorim, and Radoux. Next, an exiting new chapter in the Midwest begins with the first Midwest show under Rob Merletti's management. The Midwest Wine & Grape Conference promises to be a complete makeover for what was previous known as "The Missouri" show. It will be much larger than that in years to come. The first week of February, we will be gathering in St. Charles, MO (by St. Louis) for the new location and new paradigm for the Midwestern Wine Industry. New World Winery Equipment is exhibiting at this show on behalf of our manufacturers. We are next to Custom Metalcraft and Amorim Cork America. We are asking exhibitors and attendees alike to participate with an attitude of welcome and inclusion into what will be a strong, regional conference for growers and winemakers alike. Translation: I am very excited about this! Wineries Unlimited is the destination in March. This show is basically the Unified of the East. A seasoned veteran of this show, I look forward to it like Thanksgiving at Grandma's. Only this year it will be in Richmond, VA. This is a buyer's show and one you should miss if you do anything relevant to wine in the eastern states. Wineries Unlimited is the universal meeting place for anyone who understands the ups and downs of growing, making, and selling wines from the East. If you live anywhere east of the Mississippi, this is your show. I will be found again floating between Carlsen & Associates, Amorim Cork, and Custom Metalcraft, primarily. I hope to see you there! Here is some exciting, but not brand new news:
Vineyard & Winery Management announced back around the beginning of February that they will be managing the Midwest Grape and Wine Conference from now on. This is a good thing. This conference has been referred to as "The Missouri Show" because of it's location; The Tan-Tar-A resort. Well, Katie better bar the door for this one: This conference, like all others is driven by the the list of speakers, topics, and exhibitors. This show, from now on will draw top talent in speakers and only the best in suppliers as it will from this day forward be seen by all as the Central region meeting for the American wine industry. This is not to say that I am not ecstatic to see my "peeps" at this show. I am always glad to see the folks from "Mizzurah", because they are all like family and all have made me feel welcome in this fair state both as an entrepreneur and as the spouse of a lady with a great family name in the wine industry and Missouri politics. My family appreciate the local support of the show as exhibitors and friends. I hope that Viticulturists and Vintners from Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, and maybe Ohio and Kansas (and do I dare say Texas? Michigan?) can get together with us in St. Charles, MO and make this our show. This show will be alot more fun for families and spouses, as there is much more going on in late Winter in St. Charles than there was at Tan-Tar-A. We are reserving space today. I look forward to seeing everyone in St. Charles Wineries Unlimited 2010
Please Book Your Lodging! Attention Attendees!A block of rooms has been set aside at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge for Wineries Unlimited attendees. That block is running low, so we encourage all attendees to book their accommodations if they haven't done so already. To book your loding at the $146/night discounted rate you can either: (1) Call the Radisson at 610-337-2000 (8am to 5pm ET) and mention Wineries Unlimited 2010 to receive your special room rate OR (2) Book online at http://www.radisson.com/wineries (enter the code: wines). If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to to call us at 1-866-483-0172. Thank you, Winerires Unlimited Registration Don't forget to register for rooms at Wineries Unlimited. Don't be that guy who spends an hour a day takinga taxi everywhere. Try to take advantage of the rooms reserved for the show at the convention center. Look for a link at www.vwm-online.com
Wow. Here is your proof that vendors work hard at trade shows. I think we all look jetlagged, hung over, etc.
But seriously, Vineyard & Winery Management has done a great job on this video. I may be partial, but it's nice to see some Eastern Wine Industry icons here. http://wineriesunlimited.vwm-online.com/media.asp?medkey=2 |
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January 2025
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