The Wine Tourism Conference is a chance for anyone involved in the business of wine to meet with and learn from industry peers as well as from professionals whose knowledge is pertinent to tourism. The Agenda and Program Content for the 2014 Wine Tourism Conference in Paso Robles is robust and full of detailed workshops and sessions that will spark new ideas, cement ideas that have been percolating, and positively impact your wine business.
The Optional Pre-Conference Workshops at the 2014 WTC are additions to the regular Agenda. These Workshops, happening on Wednesday, November 12, offer four, separate sessions: two in the morning and two in the afternoon – participants can choose one workshop to go to in the morning and one to attend in the afternoon. Cost is $125 to attend one workshop and $200 to attend both a morning and an afternoon session. Consider adding on to your Wine Tourism Conference learning by participating in these smaller, educational and hands-on Workshops.
Wednesday, November 12
8:30-11:30 AM Optional Pre-Con Workshops
Creating Engaging Activities and Events
Events create revenue in and of themselves but, more importantly, often create long-lasting relationships with your customers. Have you been struggling to create something beyond the ubiquitous winemaker dinner? This workshop will dive deep into what other cutting-edge events are being done by wineries, restaurants, hotels, and wine regions around the country or world. In addition to hearing from our experts, please come prepared to share your creative ideas so everyone who attends can go home with a raft of new events to consider.
OR
Creating and Growing a Wine Tour Operator Business
If you are interested to start a tour company or wishing to grow the one you already started this is the workshop for you! You will learn from several established tour operators about selecting a niche, identifying your target market, marketing, insurance, employees, and more. In addition to presentations by established, successful operators this session will include significant group discussion as we share ideas, talk strategies, and make friendships.
1:00-4:00 PM Optional Pre-Con Workshops
Mobile Marketing
According to Pew Internet Research, as of May 2013, 90% of US adults have a mobile phone, 63% of adult mobile phone owners use their phones to go online, and 34% go online mostly using their phones, not some other device such as a desktop or laptop computer. This means – as of May 2013 – 31% of adults in the US are primarily surfing and shopping the web using their cell phone. If you are not engaging in the mobile world, you are falling behind. This workshop will cover mobile web sites, apps, tablets, geo marketing, and some of the newer social media platforms targeted towards mobile.
OR
Excelling as a Wine or Wine Tourism Association
In this session, seasoned non-profit association professionals will share their secrets to success. You should come away knowing better how to promote your region, including funding, growing membership, partnering with area businesses, gaining public exposure, working with the press, and more. This session replaces the Industry Track sessions of prior years and is the best place to meet and greet your fellow association professionals.
* Please note: lunch is not provided on Wednesday *
Cost is $125 for one workshop or $200 for both a morning and an afternoon workshop. You can register for the pre-conference workshops at the time you register for the conference or by using this separate Wine Tourism Conference Event Registration Form.
We look forward to seeing you in Paso Robles, CA, for the 2014 Wine Tourism Conference this November!