Powerful Line-up of Keynote Speakers Announced for Fifth Anniversary Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium
Industry leaders gather at alcohol beverage’s most sought-after conference to empower and advance women
November 15, 2018 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry has announced its lineup of keynote speakers for its Fifth Anniversary Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, held March 11-13, in Napa, CA.
The event, held during Women’s History Month, is a gathering of industry professionals dedicated to fostering, celebrating, and inspiring women's leadership in the alcohol beverage industry and will feature speakers and topics focused on the unique issues and opportunities women in the alcohol beverage industry face. Keynote Speakers include a line-up of notable women across all sectors of alcohol beverage, as well as diversity and inclusion corporate consultants.
Keynote Speakers Include:
Jennifer Brown, Founder, President & CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting
“Finding Your Voice in the Workplace”
Ana Ines Mendy, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc
“The Business Imperative for Gender Diversity”
(Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members participated in the 2018 Women in the Workplace Study published by McKinsey & Co. and LeanIn.org which included analysis of the Alcohol Beverage industry for the first time.)
Mary Kelly, Ph.D., CSP, CDR, US Navy (ret), Leadership Speaker/Author
“A.R.M.E.D.: How to Attract, Recruit, Mentor, Evolve and Develop the Next Generation of Leaders”
Danica Patrick, Proprietor, Somnium Wine & Retired Race Car Driver
“Dream Big: Crushing Gender Barriers at High Speed”
Other confirmed speakers taking the stage during General Session include industry leaders such as: Greg Akins, President & COO, Wine Warehouse; Karen Betts, Chief Executive, Scotch Whisky Association; Heather Cox, Co-Founder & President, Certify My Company; Joe Essa, President, Wolfgang Puck & Chair of National Restaurant Association; Stephanie Gallo, Vice President of Marketing, E.& J. Gallo Winery; Dan Heller, Senior Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Jan Jones Blackhurst, EVP, Public Policy & Corporate Responsibility, Caesars Entertainment; Rhonda Kallman, Founder & CEO, Boston Harbor Distillery, LLC; Susan Kostrzewa, Executive Editor, Wine Enthusiast Media; Steve Sprinkle, Vice President, U.S. Sales, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Adam Strum, Chairman, Wine Enthusiast Companies & Editor and Publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine; and Barkley Stuart, Executive Vice President, Director, Government Affairs, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Chairman of the Board, WSWA; among others still to be announced.
“Thanks to the support of our corporate members, individual members and the leadership of our Advisory Board, we anticipate yet another sold-out event,” said Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner. “The annual symposium is our flagship event but we have activities all year-round working hard to achieve our mission and make a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry worldwide.”
Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, and after sell-out attendance each year prior, the Global Symposium promises to feature an incredible lineup of notable speakers and panelists. The event also offers attendees multiple networking opportunities with the industry’s top professionals and influencers, including executive management, human resource professionals, directors of sales and marketing, on- and off-premise buyers, distributors, educators, winemakers, distillers, sommeliers, mixologists, importers/exporters, owners, public relations, media, viticulturists, hospitality operations, and more.
The Global Symposium is open only to members of Women of the Vine & Spirits. To become a member of Women of the Vine & Spirits, please visit womenofthevine.com. Event sponsorships are currently available on a first-come first basis; For those interested in Corporate Membership/Sponsorship opportunities, please email info@womenofthevine.com or call 888.750.1863.
Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Brown-Forman; Caesars Entertainment; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Platinum Members: Delicato Family Vineyards; Frederik Wildman & Sons; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Palm Bay International; Pernod-Ricard; Shaw Ross; Trinchero Family Estates; and William Grant & Sons. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com.
About Women of the Vine & Spirits
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry. Women of the Vine & Spirits is an organization for members to connect through our global and diverse network and collaborate across all industry sectors. Providing members with resources and opportunities to thrive is the cornerstone of our organization and success. We offer steadfast support for women at every position in the field with membership benefits that include: education, training, mentorship, entrepreneurship and networking as well as tools, services and resources for personal and business development. Together, we are a committed community taking action and making a positive impact on the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide. Save the date for the Fifth Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 11- 13, 2019 in Napa, California. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.
CONTACT:
Kyndal Korsgaden
Kyndal@womenofthevine.com
805-779-0301