Just came back from the Eastern Winery Exposition. The weather could not have been nicer and the exposition hall couldn't have been any better. There were enough vendors so as not to be overwhelming and some really good seminars.
Eastern Winery Exposition (EWE) is an Eastern-focused wine industry trade show and conference designed to provide the Eastern U.S. and Canadian wineries and vineyards with an easily accessible, low-cost professional meeting with a large number of winery and vineyard suppliers at the right time of year. A strong seminar program, exhibit hall featuring suppliers relevant to our region’s business of wine making, networking events, and state association participation are all integral components of EWE.
The trade show and conference is being held at a first class luxury facility, yet at an affordable price. Lancaster Convention Center is conveniently co-located with the Marriott hotel. This two-year-old luxury landmark hotel features friendly elegance, impeccable service, remarkable architecture and many historic elements. A breathtaking lobby invites guests to gather as they view a magnificent interior street. Well-appointed guestrooms feature views of downtown and offer the most distinctive amenities commanded by the Marriott brand.
While Eastern Winery Exposition is a new show, it brings together the combined expertise and experience of Bob Mignarri, Richard Leahy, and two knowledgeable and actively engaged advisory boards. Bob has 29 years of successful trade show management experience and has earned a reputation among exhibitors as someone who recognizes and understands their needs and concerns. Richard Leahy is a renowned wine expert with 14 years of experience in developing quality conference programs. Together they have a proven track record in helping other eastern wine industry shows to grow and become more successful.
The show started off with the usual - my favorite - the tasting reception. As in years gone by, there wre dozens of bottles on various tables, and one could easily walk around and sample. The bottles flew fast and furious, and the wine flowed freely. It was fun to be able to jump from Connecticut, to Ohio, to Pennsylvania, to New York and Ohio.
The show, in Pennsylvania, for a number of east coast wine makers was filled with folks from New England, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, and keynote speakers included those as well as from New York and Virginia. Many east coast personalities were there, such as Mike Fiore, Dr. Fiola, Adam McTarrart of Boxwood, the owners of Black Ankle, Ian Barry of the Keuka Springs Winery, Duncan and Robin Ross of Arrowhead Springs Vineyard, Lucie Morton, Juan Eduardo Micelli-Martinez of Martha Clara, wine writer Hudson Catell, Denise Gardner of Penn State, and many more.
As with the old conference when it was held in Valley Forge, the Pennsylvania wine makers conference was held just before in the same hotel, so Pennsylvania was well represented.
It was a good show. The seminars on winery cleanliness, on winemaking with hybrids and the other with cab franc were great. The Lucie Morton seminar was easilly the talk of the show. The online TTB seminar was incredibly informative as well.
Of course the highlight of the event was the dinner where Hudson Cattell was awarded a lifetime achievement award for his service to the promotion of east coast wineries. A big, big, and well deserved moment.
Easy to get to, and we got accomplished a lot in a short amount of time, and met with lots of nice poeple.
Fro a complete gallery of rogues, go to:
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