| Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | |
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| 8:00 am | REGISTRATION |
| Registration for Central Coast Insights 2024 | |
| 8:30 am - 8:45 am | WELCOME | Eric Jorgensen, President - WineBusiness Monthly |
| Opening remarks to preview the day and provide timely updates. | |
| 8:45 am - 9:15 am | State of the Central Coast Wine Business |
| To navigate the challenges posed by inflation, labor shortages, and shifts in consumer preferences towards wellness and non-traditional alcoholic beverages how can Central Coast wineries position themselves to thrive with current market realities and changing consumer preferences? Keeping agile, continually assessing market dynamics, and adapting to meet evolving consumer demands are among the key strategies to success. Speakers: Jon Berg, Thought Leadership VP, Beverage Alcohol at Nielsen IQ |
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| 9:15 am - 10:30 am | Insights from the C-Suite: Trends, Strategies and Tips |
| How are Central Coast Wineries diversifying their offerings, positioning their brand, and enhancing customer experiences all while adapting to consumer trends? And don’t forget about regulatory compliance, rising interest rates and cost management. Engage with industry executives who will share their strategies and intended solutions. Moderator: Kaleigh Theriault, Beverage Alcohol Thought Leader, Nielsen IQ Speakers: Heidi Scheid, Scheid Vineyards Aaron Fishleder, VP Operations, Cakebread Randy Heinzen, President, Vineyard Professional Services, Inc. |
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| 10:30 am - 10:45 am | Morning Break |
| 10:45 am - 11:45 am | Current Issues: What You Need to Know from Policy to Portfolio Management to Protecting Your Business From Risk |
| What steps do you need to take this year to prepare for the new bottle bill? Are your risk mitigation strategies in place? What about waste water? What does California’s new waste water order mean for your winery? And banking? Do you have the tools you need to succeed? Hear from experts in a variety of fields who will share tips to manage business risks. Speakers: Michael Walker, Founding Principal, The Walker Group Lee Ann Pearce, SVP and Market President, Bank of the Sierra Laurel Warddrip, Waste Discharge Requirements Program Manager, California State Water Resources Control Board Henry Danielson, California Cybersecurity Institute, Cal Poly |
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| 11:45 am - 1:00 pm | Networking Lunch |
| 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Central Coast Wine and Grape Supply: A Cool Season, Record Rainfall, A Late Harvest and Outstanding Vintage |
| 2023 was among the coolest years on the Central Coast. Winter rains, welcomed by all, were followed by cooler degree days, and resulted in a late start to harvest. Yields were larger than anticipated and quality is expected to mark 2023 as another outstanding vintage for the Central Coast. Speakers: Audra Cooper, Broker/Partner, Turrentine Grape Brokerage William Goebel, Broker/Partner, Turrentine Grape Brokerage |
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| 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm | Mergers and Acquisitions – From Succession Planning to Gaining Market Share the Central Coast is Making Global Headlines |
| Investors are zeroing in on the Central Coast. Key winery purchases in recent years have put the spotlight on Paso Robles. Brands who are looking to strategically expand, diversify their portfolios or access distribution channels have their eye on the Central Coast. Is the region ready for the economics of scale as the global market invests in the Central Coast? Moderator: Tim Allen, CPA and Managing Partner, Allen Wine Group Speakers: Todd Combs, Owner/Founder, The Vinery Pat DeLong, Founder & Principal, Azur Associates Justin Tooley, General Manager & Vice President of Broken Earth Winery |
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| 2:15 pm - 2:30 pm | Afternoon Break |
| 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | The Wine Business from a Distributor and Retailer Perspective |
| Given significant changes in the Wine business inclusive of headwinds and tailwinds, hear from distributors and retailers as to how they are navigating those winds of change. This dynamic discussion will include: how distributors and retailers are evolving and positioning themselves to meet the changing preferences of consumers as well as tips for how suppliers can support these changes. Moderator: Danny Brager, Beverage Alcohol Fact-Based Industry Analyst Speakers: Melanie Mann, Principal Category Merchant for Wine, Whole Foods Market Cyrille Hanson, Hi Time Wine Cellars Chris Giordano, Sales Manager Southern California, ASPECT Fine Wine at Breakthru Beverage Group Tony Porras, Director of Wine, Beer & Spirits, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres and New Leaf Market |
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| 3:30 pm | CLOSING REMARKS | Eric Jorgensen, President - WineBusiness Monthly |
| Thank you for Attending! | |
| 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Bottle Bash Central Coast |
| Join WineBusiness Monthly for the Central Coast edition of Bottle Bash; a night of networking, collaboration and celebration. WineBusiness Monthly is bringing Bottle Bash, the party that kicks off each year’s Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, to Paso Robles as part of the Central Coast Insights and WiVi Central Coast events. Hundreds of local winemakers, growers, speakers and sponsors will gather following the Central Coast Insights conference. | |