2016 Sponsorship Deck

ABOUT SOMMCONWelcome to SommCon®, a four-day educational conference for wine industry professionals crafted and hosted by some of the greatest minds and palates in our industry.

SommCon® is a leading conference and exposition for education and training of wine professsionals and serious enthusiasts. Held November 16 - 19, 2016, in San Diego, CA, the four-day sommelier conference brings together industry professionals of all levels to discuss, develop, and lead the conversation on the business of wine. SommCon® ’s education is built by some of the brightest palates in the business for trade professionals and serious enthusiasts who have a passion for wine and spirits and an unyielding thirst for knowledge. Attendees will learn and taste their way through keynote sessions and educational classes, complete with a trade tasting and expo, power networking with Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine and some of the businesses heaviest hitters.

We welcome your involvement in creating a world-class center for education, networking and mentorship for the the most influential wine professionals in today’s marketplace, and we look forward to working with you to build your company’s sponsorship and exhibitorial experience.

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Every aspect of SommCom® is highly vetted by our leadership team consisting of Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, Hoteliers, Certified Specialists of Wine, Wine Educators, Distributors, the market’s leading Retailers and more. This means that the education we offer to our attendees has been passed through the scrutiny of those who walk in our attendees’ shoes. The SommCon® goal is to deliver world-class education, networking and mentorship that helps to shape the future and broaden the palates of professionals in our industry.

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE

Molly Brooks-ThorntonSommelier, Cicerone

Brian DoneganAdvanced Sommelier

Amy ChristineMaster of Wine

Bonnie GravesSommelier

Jeff JosenhansCertified Sommelier, Cicerone

Jörn KleinhansCSW

Joseph SpellmanMaster Sommelier

Eric EntrikinMaster Sommelier

David GlancyMaster Sommelier

Mary GormanMaster of Wine

Joshua OrrAdvanced Sommelier

Steve PaganoHotelier

Lindsay PomeroyCWE, WSET, FWS

Geoff LabitzkeMaster of Wine

Evan GoldsteinMaster Sommelier

Tami WongCertified Sommelier

Eddie OsterlandMaster Sommelier

Ira NorafSommelier, CWE

Mindy HewitsonCWE, DWS

TEAM SOMMCON

Geralyn BrostromCertified Wine Educator

Skip CoomberCoomber Family Ranch

Meredith MayCWE, DWS

Eric RunyonCertified Sommelier, CSW

Adam SensneyCertified Sommelier

Neil SorensenVP - Branch Manager, San Diego

Southern Wine & Spirits

Lisa RedwineAdvanced Sommelier

Jesse RodriguezAdvanced Sommelier,

CWE, DWSET

THE SCHEDULE

Built by some of the greatest minds in the wine and spirits industry, SommCon’s schedule blends theory with in-depth tastings designed to broaden the palate and shape the future of our attendees. With seminars, panels, workshops, Master Classes, blind tastings, winemaker-hosted dinners, and more, the 2016 schedule is comprised of education and networking opportunities that are aimed to elevate attendee careers and industry knowledge.

PAST SPEAKERS & PRESENTERS

• Victor Torres Alegre, Ph.D. | Torres Alegre y Familia Winery• Hans Backhoff | Monte Xanic Winery• Tony Baldini | President, Hahn Family Wine• Gillian Ballance, MS • Bob Bath, MS• Dennis Bell | Co-Owner, Lewis Cellar Winery• Rob Bigelow, MS | Senior Director Wine Education and On

Premise Development, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates• Chris Blanchard, MS• Chris Broomwell | Vesper Vineyards• Geralyn Brostrom, Certified Wine Educator | Italian Wine

Central, Italian Wine Professional• Christopher Canale-Parola | González Byass• Fernando Pérez Castro | Lomita and Finca La Carrodilla

Winery• Tony Cha, Advanced Sommelier | Binwise, Inc.• Amy Christine, Master of Wine | Black Sheep Finds Winery• Will Costello, MS | Wine Director, Mandarin Oriental• Brian Cronin, MS | National Manager of Wine Education, Palm

Bay International• Fred Dame, MS | American Wine & Spirits• Daniel Daou | Vintner, Daou Vineyards• Dean De Korth | Winemaker / Director of Production,

Bernardus Winery• Cal Dennison | Senior Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo

Winery• Pamela Dillon | Co-Founder and CEO of Wine Ring• Maurice DiMarino, Level 2 Masters Guild of Sommeliers |

Wine Director, Island Prime

• Brian Donegan, Advanced Sommelier | Truly Fine Wines• Eric Entrikin, MS• Damon Goldstein | Truly Fine Wines• David Glancy, MS | San Francisco Wine School• Gustavo González | Lomita and Finca La Carrodilla Winery• Mary Gorman-McAdams, Master of Wine | Bordeaux Wine

Council • Eric Hemer, MS | Southern Wine & Spirits of America • Niko Hronopoulos | Filmmaker• Peter Hunken | Winemaker and Co-Owner of Black Sheep

Finds + Holus Bolus• Jeff Josenhans, Certified Sommelier & Cicerone | Director of

Banquets, Restaurants & Bars, The US Grant• John Jordan | Jordan Vineyard & Winery• Emmanuel Kemiji, MS | Miura Vineyards & Clos Pissarra• Geoff Labitzke, Master of Wine | Director of Sales &

Marketing, Kistler• Christopher Patrick Lavin | Regional Manager, Broadbent

Selections• Dan Morgan Lee | Owner / Winegrower, Morgan Winery• Dr. Paulo Lopes | Amorim Cork, Portugal• Brian Loring | Owner / Winemaker, Loring Wine Company• André Mack | Mouton Noir Wines• Camilo Magoni | Casa Magoni• Cristina Mariani-May | Family Proprietor, Castello Banfi• Meredith May | Publisher & Editorial Director, THE TASTING

PANEL / The SOMM Journal / The Clever Root• Diego Meraviglia | VP and Director of Education, North

American Sommelier Association

• Tru Miller | Adobe Guadalupe Winery• Nick Moezidis | Napa Technology• Ira Norof, Certified Wine Educator• Paolo Paoloni | Villa Montefiori Winery/Paoloni Wines• Rex Pickett | Author, Playwright• Lindsay Pomeroy, BA WSET Diploma, CWE, FWS | Owner

and Chief Wine Educator, Wine Smarties• Jayne Portnoy | Napa Technology• D’Lynn Proctor | Penfolds Ambassador, Americas and Canada• Bernard Retornaz | President, Louis Latour• Lisa Redwine, Advanced Sommelier | Food & Beverage

Manager, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc.• Aaron Ridgway | Negociants USA National Sales Manager• Georg Riedel | President Emeritus of Riedel Crystal• John Rielly | Fine Wine Development Manager - West,

Terlato Wines International• Jesse Rodriguez, M.Ed, Advanced Sommelier, CWE, D WSET• Willi Sherer, MS | Wine Director, Redd and Redd Wood• Pamela Singh | Executive Trainer, Forbes Travel Guide• Wendy Shoemaker, Advanced Sommelier | Wine Director,

Marina Kitchen• Joseph Spellman, MS | JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery• Cameron Tyler, Sommelier | Quince• Eric Van Drunen | Vinavanti Urban Winery• Frans van der Lee | Co-Founder and President, Somm’s List

and Chef’s Roll• J.M. Woody Van Horn | General Manager, Bracero Cocina De

Raiz• Laura Werlin | Cheese Authority & Author

WEDNESDAY CERTIFICATIONS

SommCon kicks off the conference with a day of trade certifications hosted by industry organizations. Attendees who plan to attend the conference, and take a certification that year, can do both in one location. Participating organizations receive visibility to hundreds of trade members and spark interest in attendees who may have not previously considered getting certified. The opportunity to host several exams at one conference addd to the incredible content offered at SommCon.

Last year’s participating organizations include the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, Cicerone Certification Program, and North American Sommelier Association.

THURSDAY & FRIDAY SEMINARS

Past seminars have included:

Master Classes• Blind Taste with the Masters• Chardonnay and White Burgundy• Rioja: Classic and Modern• Bordeaux Beyond the Classified Growths• Date a Master - Speed Round Blind Tasting

Seminars, Panels & Workshops• Emerging Mexico Panel Discussion & Tasting• Building a Better Beer Program• Build Your Own Personal Brand• Cork Stoppers - From TCA to Oxygen Transmission• Biodynamics & Sustainability• Pour Costs, Cash Flow & Inventory: Beverage P&L in a Nutshell• Beverage Certifications: Which is Right for You and Your Career?• How To: Putting Bordeaux Back on the Wine List and Retail Shelves• Highlands’ Pinot Noir: Vintage to Vintage Excellence• The Same but Different: Cross Comparison of the Same Wine, Made in

Different Stylistic Formats• Gaja: Sangiovese & Nebbiolo Exploration• Digging In: Unique Terroir & Its Effect on Wine Styles• Germany Intensive• How to: Build a Successful Wine Program• Invitation to: A Journey of the Senses with Georg Riedel• Napa Valley “Connect the Rocks” Panel Discussion and Tasting• Establish Your Own Import Business• Award Winning Service: Panel Discussion• Wine Faults: Yeast, Bacterial and Sulfur Defects in Wine• Brunello Di Montalcino - A Master’s Perspective• Pour Costs, Cash Flow & Inventory: Beverage P&L in a Nutshell• Solution-Based Technologies to Drive Beverage Profits• Cheese & Wine Pairings for the Pros• Gaja: 90 Minute History• Distinctive Flavors from the Mediterranean Islands• All Spain Seminar

FRIDAY TRADE TASTING

Attendees join us for an afternoon of networking and wine tasting at the Friday Trade Tasting. Guests have the opportunity to taste from over 100 exhibiting wine, spirit, and brewery producers, while hob nobbing with the industry’s top professionals. Also featured are the 2016 Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition medal winners.

LEXUS GRAND TASTINGas part of the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival®

Held on San Diego’s Embarcadero Park North, the San Diego Bay

Wine + Food Festival’s Grand Tasting Event is truly one of the

most exciting luxury events of the year. The Lexus Grand Tasting

features over 170 winemakers, spirits and breweries, gourmet foods,

restaurants, live music, culinary demo stages, and a backdrop of

sailboats and the magnificent San Diego shoreline.

2015 CONFERENCE STATISTICS

• 918 Total SommCon Conference and Trade Tasting attendance

• Total SommCon Session Attendance = 396

• Attendee Age – 55+ years = 16% – 46 - 55 = 21% – 36 - 45 = 29% – 26 - 35 = 32% – 21 - 25 = 1.6%

• Conference attendance split 45.5% female and 54.5% male attendees

• 30% of attendees have an annual household income of over $100,000

• Attendees’ Role in Decision Making – Final Decision Maker = 55% – Influencer of Decision = 24.6% – Recommendation for Decision = 10.8% – Conduct Research for Decision = 9.6%

• 57.14% of attendees currently hold a higher level certification in wine, beer or spirits

– Certified Sommelier - 197 – Cicerone - 26 – Certified Specialist of Wine - 65 – Master of Wine - 11 – Master Sommelier - 13 – WSET Levels 1-4 - 141 – Certified Wine Educator - 14

• Attendees included: Winemakers, Company Owners, Front of House Staff, Managers, Buyers, Sommeliers, Beverage Directors, Journalists, Writers, Bartenders, Food and Beverage Directors, Executive Chefs, Wine Program Directors, Cellar Masters, Enologists, Professors, Tasting Room Managers, Vintners, Portfolio Managers, Ambassadors, Wine Broker, etc.

– Hospitality - 37.25% – Distributor / Importer - 5.77% – Wine Consulting / Technology - 6.75% – Winery - 18.85% – Education / Association - 4.26% – Media - 7.19% – Consumer Enthusiast - 19.93%

2015 MARKETING OUTLINE

SommCon utilized an integrated marketing strategy, which included:

• National feature ads and multi-page editorial spreads in Tasting Panel, SOMM Journal and Wine Spectator, reaching more than 4,000,000 wine industry professionals and enthusiasts.

• Weekly Electronic Newsletters (17 broadcasts total = 98,707 subscriber impressions).• Print, radio and online advertising.• Inclusion in the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival Official Magazine, En Bouche. 38,500 copies were distributed to attendees, AIWF and Chaîne members,

San Diego Magazine subscribers, and local restaurants, retailers, wineries, and hotels. • Print local ads in Pacific Magazine’s insertion. • Website banner ads on Somm’s List, Chef’s Roll, and VinVillage.• Cooperative partnerships with Somm’s List, Chef’s Roll, and Wine Ring, targeting members of the restaurant and wine trade in addition to consumers. • Email newsletter inclusion in Somm’s List, Wine Ring, Wine Spectator, VinVillage, Ranch & Coast, San Diego Magazine, and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food

Festival.• Dedicated e-blasts through Fast Forward Events, and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival.• National media partnerships with Tasting Panel, Wine Spectator, and SOMM Journal. • Local and national radio promotions through VinVillage.

Total Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Collateral Impressions = 108,118,658

THE 2015 CAMPAIGN

TH

E

AUGUST 2015 • $6.95

Giovanni Lopes, owner of Mama’s Medicine cocktail consulting, works

with Twenty Grand Vodka’s newest flavor, Peach, at private L.A. event

space Carondelet House.

Be Grand!Twenty Grand Vodka Takes on a New Look

TP0815_001-35.indd 1 7/20/15 1:50 PM

We are building a meeting ground for wine professionals where some serious, roll-up-your-sleeves education will take place. A conference and networking event like this in Southern California is

- Joseph Spellman, Master Sommelier

Broaden Your Palate Shape Your Future

SAN DIEGO, CANOVEMBER 18-21

A FOUR-DAY EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR WINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND SERIOUS ENTHUSIASTS.

This Year at SommCon™:

Master Class Chardonnay & White Burgundy

SommCon™ features more than 50 sessions, keynotes and roundtables led by prominent leaders and tastemakers:

APPLY ONLINE!

Are You A Wine Pro Under 30?

™

JOIN THE CHAT

www.sommconusa.com

Moderated by The Somm Journal

Media Sponsors: Tasting Sponsors: Education:

School of Wine

SOMM’S LISTP R E S E N TAT I O N I S E V E R Y T H I N G

SOMMSLIST.COM

Brunello di Montalcino: A Master’s Perspective

Wine Faults Workshop: Yeast, Bacterial and Sulfur Defects in Wine

Technologies Inc.

Napa Valley “Connect the Rocks”

Highland’s Pinot Noir: Vintage to Vintage Excellence

Establish Your Own Import Business Damon Goldstein, Owner, Truly Fine Wines

and Spirits of America.

Gaja: 90 Minute History John D. Rielly, Fine Wine Development Manager - West, Terlato Wines International

Cork Stoppers - From TCA to Oxygen Transmission

Date A Master! Speed Round Blind Tasting

Hosted by Attending MS’s and MW’s

Master Class Rioja

Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman, National Accounts Director,

*Sessions, schedules and presenters are subject to change without notice

And dozens more!

with industry leaders such as MS Eric Entrikin, MW Mary Gorman, Georg Riedel, MS David Glancy and more!

TP0815_100-124.indd 112 7/27/15 5:02 PM

We are building a meeting ground for wine professionals where some serious, roll-up-your-sleeves education will take place. A conference and networking event like this in Southern California is

- Joseph Spellman, Master Sommelier

Broaden Your Palate Shape Your Future

SAN DIEGO, CANOVEMBER 18-21

A FOUR-DAY EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR WINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND SERIOUS ENTHUSIASTS.

This Year at SommCon™:

Master Class Chardonnay & White Burgundy

SommCon™ features more than 50 sessions, keynotes and roundtables led by prominent leaders and tastemakers:

APPLY ONLINE!

Are You A Wine Pro Under 30?

™

JOIN THE CHAT

www.sommconusa.com

Moderated by The Somm Journal

Media Sponsors: Tasting Sponsors: Education:

School of Wine

SOMM’S LISTP R E S E N TAT I O N I S E V E R Y T H I N G

SOMMSLIST.COM

Brunello di Montalcino: A Master’s Perspective

Wine Faults Workshop: Yeast, Bacterial and Sulfur Defects in Wine

Technologies Inc.

Napa Valley “Connect the Rocks”

Highland’s Pinot Noir: Vintage to Vintage Excellence

Establish Your Own Import Business Damon Goldstein, Owner, Truly Fine Wines

and Spirits of America.

Gaja: 90 Minute History John D. Rielly, Fine Wine Development Manager - West, Terlato Wines International

Cork Stoppers - From TCA to Oxygen Transmission

Date A Master! Speed Round Blind Tasting

Hosted by Attending MS’s and MW’s

Master Class Rioja

Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman, National Accounts Director,

*Sessions, schedules and presenters are subject to change without notice

And dozens more!

with industry leaders such as MS Eric Entrikin, MW Mary Gorman, Georg Riedel, MS David Glancy and more!

TP0815_100-124.indd 113 7/27/15 5:02 PM

TASTINGTH

E

SEPTEMBER 2015 • $6.95 PANEL

Nieto Senetiner Is Leading the

Next Movement in Argentina

We visit with Nieto Senetiner Winemaker

Santiago Mayorga

A Second Generationof Change

PHOTO: STEPHANIE SECREST

TP0915_001-35.indd 1 8/24/15 2:34 PM

50 / the tasting panel / september 2015

“Solution-Based Technologies to Drive Beverage Profits”

Moderated by Bob Bath, MS, Wine Instructor for the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone/St. Helena, CA, this panel will take a look at how technology and other business solutions are improving the world of wine.

As this seminar has already begun filling up, we’ve added an encore presentation! Get your tickets today for one of the below time slots:

First session: Thursday, November 19, 1:00–3:00 pmSecond session: Thursday, November 19, 3:45–5:15 pm

“Digging In: Unique Terroir & Its Effect on Wine Styles”

Moderated by Eric Hemer, MS, MW SVP Director of Wine Education, SWS of America, five representatives from wineries located across the globe will talk about lesser known wine regions—they will delve deeply into the real influences of terroir and how much it truly influ-ences the final product.

Friday, November 20, 10:15 am–12:15 pm

It’s not often that the brightest minds in the wine industry assemble in one place, but when they do, you can rest assured that we will bring the best to this meeting of the somms. From November 18-21, The SOMM Journal and THE TASTING PANEL Magazine are proud media

sponsors for this four-day educational conference for wine industry professionals.

Conference headquarters: Grand Hyatt Manchester, San DiegoRegister to attend SommCon at www.sommconusa.com.

Tickets are available for these SOMM Journal sponsored panels:

Eric H

emer, M

S, M

W

Bob

Bat

h, M

S.

Connect with the Wine Industry’s Leaders at SommCon!

TP0915_036-69.indd 50 8/26/15 6:30 PM

52 / the tasting panel / september 2015

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Wine industry professionals of all levels and skill uncork four days of education and certification opportunities in San Diego, CA November 18–21. Wine takes center stage with the introduction

of SommConTM—a four-day educational conference designed to offer wine industry professionals and serious enthusiasts convenient and affordable access to education and networking opportunities.

SommCon was born out of the belief that education fundamentally changes an individual’s access to the future they want. At the helm of SommCon is a group of over 25 industry experts dubbed “Team SommCon.” Together, these industry leaders, including Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, hoteliers, wine educators, distributors and beyond, have had a role in the selection of SommCon’s education sessions, workshops, tastings and certification offerings. Their common goal was to provide a new opportunity for wine professionals to network and learn from each other to collectively advance the industry about which they are so passionate.

Team SommCon member Mary Gorman, Master of Wine, feels that, “SommCon represents a fresh and innovative forum for the best of the sommelier and hospitality community to come together, to learn, to share and exchange ideas and, most importantly, to remember why the hospitality business is so important for the wine industry.”

SommCon launches with 50 sessions, bringing together some of the greatest thought leaders, entrepreneurs and artisans to discuss, develop and lead the conversation on the business of wine. The experience features Master Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, and Master of Wine–led sessions, power speed dating–style blind tastings, customized tracks based on professional type and learning centers, round-table discussions, regional explorations, trade tasting and expo, Grand Tasting and more.

Presenters include Master Sommeliers Joe Spellman, David Glancy, Fred Dame, Eric Entrikin, Will Costello, Bob Bath, Eric Hemer; Masters of Wine Geoff Labitzke, Amy Christine, Patrick Farrell, Mary Gorman; Certified Wine Educator Ira Norof; THE TASTING PANEL’s Publisher/Editorial Editor Meridith May; regional industry leaders and Advanced Sommeliers Jesse Rodriguez, Lisa Redwine, Brian Donegan and many others from various aspects of the industry.

A sampling of session titles include: • Chardonnay and White Burgundy• Brunello di Montalcino: A Master’s Perspective• Wine Faults: Yeast, Bacterial and Sulfur Defects in Wine• Napa Valley “Connect the Rocks” • Bordeaux Beyond the Classified Growths• Establish Your Own Import Business• Emerging Mexico • Solutions Based Technologies to Drive Beverage Profits

SommCon is available to trade professionals of all types, ranging from early career professionals to the most seasoned experts, as well as serious enthusiasts who have a passion for wine and spirits, but will only have capac-ity for 300 registrations during its inaugural year.

Where the Somms GoSOMMCON POURS INTO SAN DIEGO NOVEMBER 18–21

Brian Donegan, Advanced Sommelier.

Eric Entrikin, Master Sommelier.

Amy Christine, Master of Wine.

Joshua Orr, Advanced Sommelier.

Lisa Redwine, Advanced Sommelier.

David Glancy, Master Sommelier.

Ira Norof, Certified Wine Educator.

Joseph Spellman, Master Sommelier.

TP0915_036-69.indd 52 8/26/15 6:30 PM

2015 PUBLIC RELATIONS OVERVIEW

The first inaugural SommCon appeared in a number of features and articles leading up to the event resulting in over 93 million impressions. The following are a few highlights of 2015 coverage:

• A social media campaign resulting in 455 fans on Facebook, 536 followers on Twitter, and 87 followers on Instagram.• Online articles and mentions in BizBash, Coast News, Eater San Diego, Examiner, Food & Beverage Magazine, Meetings + Events, NBC 7 San Diego, Pacific

Magazine, San Diego Food Finds, San Diego Magazine, San Diego Sun Times, UT San Diego, and Wine & Craft Beverage News.• Print newspaper and magazine articles and mentions in Coast News, Pacific Magazine, and UT San Diego.• Five press releases distributed.• Weekly Electronic Newsletters (17 broadcasts total = 98,707 subscriber impressions).• Online calendar postings including 101 Things To Do, ABC 10 San Diego, BeachCalifornia.com, Culinary Thymes, Discover California Wines, Discover SD,

Event Setter, Eventful, Events in America, and Local Wine Events.

Total PR Impressions = 93,038,778

WHAT THEY’RE SAYINGPRINTCoast NewsPacific MagazineUT San Diego

ONLINE BizBashCoast NewsEater San DiegoExaminerFood & Beverage MagazineMeetings + EventsNBC 7 San DiegoPacific MagazineSan Diego Food FindsSan Diego MagazineSan Diego Sun TimesUT San DiegoWine & Craft Beverage News

 

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!!! !

   

   

2015 WEB HITS

OVERALL 2015 IMPRESSIONS918

SommCon Attendees

108,118,658Advertising & Marketing Collateral Impressions

93,038,778PR Impressions

49,0382015 SommCon Web Hits

201,207,392Total Impressions