Global Symposium

Gretchen Carlson Announced as Keynote Speaker for Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium Acclaimed TV journalist and women's empowerment advocate to deliver keynote at alcohol beverage industry’s largest gathering of women, world-wide Women of the Vine & Spirits® (womenofthevine.com), the world’s leading membership alliance dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of women in the alcohol beverage industry, announced today Gretchen Carlson will be a keynote speaker at its fourth annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, to be held March 12-14, 2018 at the Meritage Resort & Spa, Napa, California. Gretchen Carlson is one of the nation’s most successful and recognized news anchors and a tireless advocate for workplace equality and the empowerment of women. Gretchen has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world for 2017. She’s also graced the cover of TIME and Good Housekeeping magazines and is a marquee columnist for TIME's Motto. Since making the decision to speak up against sexual harassment, she sparked an international conversation about the pervasiveness of the issue and in doing so discovered every woman has a story. Carlson will speak on topics from her new book, being released today, Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back. Her book gives a voice to women around the world who have been silenced by harassment and intimidation, inspiring them to reclaim their power against injustice. “Having a woman of Gretchen’s caliber speak about sexual harassment in the workplace and share with our attendees’ advice from her 12-point ‘playbook’ of what to do and how to handle harassment is something many women need to hear, especially today in light of what has been happening in Hollywood and Silicon Valley,” said Founder & President of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner. All attendees of the Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium will receive a copy ofBe Fierce as a gift from the alliance. For those not attending, books are available for purchase from the Women of the Vine & Spirits Book Club where 10% of all purchases benefit the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. The Foundation provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance in their careers in the food, wine, spirits, hospitality, or viticulture industries through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. Now in its fourth year, and after sell-out attendance each year prior, the Annual Global Symposium promises to feature an incredible lineup of speakers and panelists. The Global Symposium 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 wine and spirits buyers, distributors, wine educators, winemakers, sommeliers, mixologists, importers/exporters, winery owners, public relations, media, viticulturists, hospitality operations, and more. Women of the Vine & Spirits corporate members and individual members may register for the symposium in advance at a discounted rate beginning early December through their website, womenofthevine.com. Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Caesars Entertainment; Constellation Brands; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; and Wine Enthusiast. For a full list of Corporate Members including those at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Associate level, visit the Corporate Members tab at womenofthevine.com. To become an individual member of Women of the Vine & Spirits, please visitwomenofthevine.com. For those interested in Corporate Membership opportunities, please email info@womenofthevine.com or call 888.750.1863. About Women of the Vine & Spirits® Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading membership organization dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of women in the alcohol beverage industry, fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. Guided by an advisory board of top executives in the alcohol beverage industry, Women of the Vine & Spirits offers extensive education, advocacy, training, mentorship, networking and steadfast support for women at every position in the field, particularly through the annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 12-14, 2018 in Napa, California. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com

Women of the Vine & Spirits Announces 6th Annual Global Symposium Sold Out

Largest gathering of industry professionals committed to advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry met with record sellout for annual event

January 23, 2020 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), the leading membership organization dedicated to advancing and empowering women in the wine, beer and spirits industry worldwide, today announced that the Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium 2020 is sold out for the sixth straight year. 

As our culture is racing towards equality in the marketplace, we are swiftly moving from awareness to action. Additionally, and as the issue has become mainstream, we are seeing more accountability and action at every level across industries. The WOTVS Global Symposium has become the catalyst to usher in a new wave of thinking within the alcohol beverage industry. Since its inaugural event in 2015, the annual meeting of the minds has become the preeminent stomping ground for today’s leading companies and industry professionals to attend, network, learn and, ultimately, take the necessary actions needed to implement change internally within their organizations. 

Taking place on March 9-11 at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa, California, the gathering of over 750 industry professionals provides attendees with a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded men and women who are committed to greater gender diversity and inclusion industry-wide. The multi-day event will include a variety of networking events for attendees, as well as breakout sessions, and an incredible lineup of keynote speakers and panels from some of the most inspiring leaders of our time. Critical topics of discussion are slated to include those about diversity and inclusion, professional development, career advancement and best practice strategies for individuals and companies to better position themselves and their organizations as leaders in advancing and empowering women.

At the highly anticipated industry gathering, renowned life coaching expert Laurie Gerber (EVP & Head Coach, Handel Group Life Coaching), who has spread her inspirational message of empowerment through platforms and events like TedX, MTV, A&E, the Dr. Phil Show and the TODAY show, amongst others, will serve as a keynote speaker. Other headliners will include Barbara Huson (Author, Wealth Coach, Speaker, Owner, Barbara Huson, Inc.) and Lee Woodruff (Speaker & Author). 

This year’s sell out serves as a critical reminder that traditionally male-dominated industries are still in need of diversification and equality across the board. Since its inception, the WOTVS Global Symposium has established itself as the largest conference providing attendees with the skills and tools needed to foster collaboration, motivation, networking, inspiration and best practice resources for women in the alcohol beverage industry, worldwide.

“The WOTVS Global Symposium tackles not only the business case, but also provides tools on how to take action to impact greater diversity and business performance,” said Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner. “This year’s record-setting sell out serves as proof that our members are committed to working together, across all industry sectors, and are taking off competitive hats for the greater good of the cause. Together, we are change-makers and leading this movement in the alcohol beverage industry.”

More information about the WOTVS Global Symposium 2020, as well as further details about this year’s lineup of speakers and events can be found at: womenofthevine.com/global-symposium

The Global Symposium is open only to employees of WOTVS Corporate Members. For those interested in Corporate Membership opportunities, please email elizabeth@womenofthevine.com. To become an Individual Member of WOTVS, visit womenofthevine.com.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Members include Founding Member, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Diamond Members: Bronco Wine Company; Brown-Forman; E. & J. Gallo Winery; Moët Hennessy USA; and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Platinum Members: Beam Suntory; Breakthru Beverage Group; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Pernod Ricard; Republic National Distributing Company; Shaw-Ross; 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.

To learn more about Women of the Vine & Spirits, please visit: https://www.womenofthevine.com/

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About Women of the Vine & Spirits

Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading membership 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. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com.

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

A Women’s Revolution is Underway in the World of Wine and Spirits

In honor of Women’s History Month, Women of the Vine & Spirits will host the largest gathering
of women in the alcohol beverage industry from around the world.

March is Women’s History Month. In celebration, the alcohol beverage industry’s top female influencers from around the world reveal their approach to success in one of the most male-dominated industries. This record-breaking gathering takes place at the Third Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 13-15, held at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa, California.

The history-making roster of speakers includes the alcohol beverage industry’s most sought-after motivators, entrepreneurs, and experts from across the globe. From France, Margareth Henriquez, President & Chief Executive Officer, Krug Maison de Champagne; from South Africa, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, House of Mandela; from Argentina, Susana Balbo, Founder & Owner, Susana Balbo Wines; from Italy, Marilisa Allegrini, Chief Executive Officer, Allegrini Estates; and from Australia, Dianne Laurance, Founder, Laurance Wines. Other notable influencers include Gina Gallo, Senior Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Stephanie J. Macleod, Master Blender, John Dewar & Son’s Ltd.; Annette Alvarez-Peters, AIWS, CWE, Asst. Vice President, GMM, Beverage Alcohol, Costco Wholesale; Victoria MacRae-Samuels, Vice President, Operations, Maker’s Mark Distillery; Elizabeth McCall, CSS, Woodford Reserve Master Taster & Sr. Quality Control Specialist, Brown-Forman; Caley Shoemaker, Head Distiller, Hangar 1 Vodka, Proximo; and Béatrice Cointreau, Owner & Chief Executive Officer, ADMIRABLE Family Vineyards, Malibu.

Special Guest Speaker, Co-founder and Executive Director of the National Women’s History Project and organizer of the first-ever Women’s History Week in the nation, Molly Murphy MacGregor, will join Women of the Vine & Spirits Founder & President, Deborah Brenner on stage to kick-off the three-day event.

“With the faith of the wine and spirits industries behind her, Deborah Brenner has sparked a revolution with Women of the Vine & Spirits and the Global Symposium,” said Co-Owner, Trade and Brand Advocate, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Cynthia Lohr. “We have the opportunity to continue the passionate dialogue that supports the advancement of women in wine and spirits through networking, mentorship, by fostering leadership groups within companies and organizations, and by inviting all stakeholders to the table to seize and leverage the influence of female executives in the alcohol beverage industry.”

According to Nielsen research, women account for 57 percent of wine volume in the U.S. and Fred Minnick, author of Whiskey Women claims women represent 37 percent of whiskey imbibers in the U.S. In fact, women account for 85 percent of all consumer purchases, controlling $4.3 trillion of the $5.9 trillion in annual consumer spending (Source: Nielsen 2013).

“Women are an increasingly important force in driving trends and alcohol sales,” said Founder & President, Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner. Adding, “Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the industry has so much to gain from more diversity.  Having more women in leadership roles drives innovation and creativity which directly impacts the bottom line. Women of the Vine & Spirits is committed to the advancement of women and ensuring the next generation is being mentored to take leadership roles. We have started a movement - a revolution - and together, we can change the face of the alcohol beverage industry.”
 

The Third Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium is sold out, but tickets are available to purchase Livestream/On-Demand access to view the Symposium’s most sought-after keynote speakers and presenters. Visit womenofthevine.com for more information and to purchase your tickets.

About Women of the Vine & Spirits^®
Women of the Vine & Spirits is the world’s leading membership organization dedicated to the support and advancement of women in the alcohol beverage industry, fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. Guided by an advisory board of top executives in the alcohol beverage industry, Women of the Vine & Spirits offers extensive education, advocacy, training, mentorship, networking and steadfast support for women at every position in the field, particularly through the annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 13-15, 2017 in Napa, California. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com

Women of the Vine & Spirits Corporate Partners include Founding Partner, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Diamond Partners: Bacardi; Bronco Wine Company; Constellation Brands; E & J Gallo Winery; the International Wine & Spirits Research (IWSR); Moët Hennessy USA; Republic National Distributing Company; Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Wine Enthusiast Media; Platinum Partners: Beam Suntory; Brown-Forman; Fetzer Vineyards; Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd.; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; Palm Bay International; Proximo; Treasury Wine Estates; Trinchero Family Estates; Young’s Market Company, Gold Partners: Castello Banfi; Boisset Collection; Breakthru Beverage Group; CF Napa Brand Design; Davos Brands; Delicato Family Vineyards; Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits; Diageo; Distilled Spirits Council; Domaine Bousquet; FIJI Water; Folio Fine Wine Partners; Independent Stave Co.; Kobrand; Pernod Ricard USA; Precept Wine; Rodney Strong Vineyards; Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker; Sterling Creativeworks; Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Vintage Wine Estates; VINTUS; Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA); WineShop At Home: The Wine Group; Wine Warehouse; and World Cooperage.

For a full list of Corporate Partners including those at the Silver, Bronze and Associate level, and to become a member of Women of the Vine & Spirits, please visit womenofthevine.com. For those interested in corporate partnership opportunities, please email info@womenofthevine.com or call 888.750.1863.