NAPA, Calif. - (Business Wire) Sponsorships and trade show tables were snapped up for the first annual Direct To Consumer Symposium, a comprehensive summit on wine direct marketing and sales that is scheduled for May 1-2, 2008 at The Meritage Resort at Napa.
FedEx Corporation is the Exclusive Day One sponsor and WTN Services the Exclusive Gala Dinner sponsor. The dinner will feature keynote speaker Kenneth W. Starr and a short and lively auction by Fritz Hatton. www.coalitionforfreetrade.org/symposium
“More wineries, suppliers and associations need to shoulder their fair share of the cost of defending the legal direct shipping states, opening new ones, and streamlining onerous state regulations – for too long the burden has rested on too few,” said Dennis Cakebread, event chair. “It’s gratifying to see these leaders invest in the industry’s future.”
Wine industry suppliers who are sponsoring the event include:
- Lanyard sponsor: Benchmark Consulting
- Gold level sponsors: Benson Marketing Group, New Vine Logistics
- Silver level sponsors: Bacchus Fulfillment, Unisource Worldwide, Inc., CORESense, UPS
- Day Two session sponsors: Nexternal Solutions, Six88 Solutions/ShipCompliant, Advanced Management Systems
Winery associations have been key players in direct shipping legislation and litigation, and the following are also contributing to the Symposium:
- Gold level sponsors: Wine Institute, Napa Valley Vintners
- Silver level sponsors: Family Winemakers of California
More than 26 wineries have contributed beyond the registration fees, and additional donations have been received by winery associations including WineAmerica, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and the Oregon Wine Board.
Trade Show Nearly Sold Out
The Symposium’s trade show will showcase companies offering a variety of products and services. They include Bacchus Fulfillment, Benson Marketing Group, Calistoga Beverage Company, CORESense, Family Winemakers of California, FedEx, Inertia Beverage Group, MyWineMarket.com, Napa Valley Vintners, New Vine Logistics, Nexternal Solutions, Packaging Plus, Six88 Solutions/Ship Compliant, Submerce eBusiness, Sunlight Electric, Unisource Worldwide Inc., UPS, Vertical Response, Wine Institute, WineAmerica, Wineshipping, WTN Services and more.
At press time, there are only three trade show booths available, and three Day Two session exclusive sponsorships. Sponsorship applications are available online by visiting www.coalitionforfreetrade.org or www.freethegrapes.org and following the links to the sponsorship page. For more information, contact steering committee sponsor chair Abdi Humphries at 707-815-2201.
The Direct To Consumer Symposium is scheduled for May 1-2, 2008 at The Meritage Resort at Napa. Registrations can be made online for the entire package ($500); or individually for Day One ($225), Day Two ($200), or the Gala Dinner ($150). To register, and to review session topics and speakers, visit www.coalitionforfreetrade.org or www.freethegrapes.org.
Direct To Consumer Symposium
Dennis Cakebread, 707-963-5221
