Wine Media Conference

Writing and Social Media for the Wine Industry

Agenda

2019 Wine Media Conference Agenda

Below is a skeleton agenda for the 2019 Wine Media Conference. We will be filling out the agenda with events, content, and speakers in the coming months. To keep updated, please enter your email address in the WMC News box to the right. All events from October 10 – 12 will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley unless otherwise indicated.

Monday – Wednesday, October 7 – 9

Pre-Conference Excursion: Our 2019 Pre-Conference Excursion will take place in the Granite Belt Wine Region of Queensland, with cooperation of the Queensland Wine Industry Association and Granite Belt Wine Tourism. Details and registration will be coming soon!

Thursday, October 10

12:00 – 8:00 PM Registration 

12:30 – 1:30 PM Wine Education Sessions: These small-group sessions include wine tasting and require advance registration. We will alert registered attendees once the sessions are finalized.

2:00 – 3:00 PM Wine Education Sessions: These small-group sessions include wine tasting and require advance registration. We will alert registered attendees once the sessions are finalized.

3:30 – 4:30 PM The Blog as a Communication Media: Is wine blogging dead? There are over 1,300 “citizen” wine bloggers throughout the world and likely thousands more than this operated by wineries (as blogs or “news” pages). Wine blogging is not dead. Choose one of three sections:

  • Advanced Wine Blogging: Hear from experts on the mechanics of wine blogging including the latest plugins, search engine optimization, Google Analytics, and more.
  • Beginner Wine Blogging: If you are new to blogging or yet to start, learn about the best way to set up your blog, how often you need to blog, establishing an identity, etc.
  • Wine Blogging for Business: The blog or news page is critical for wineries and other wine businesses as it tells Google you are updating your site, allows you to send out an immediate email via RSS feed, and provides content for your email and social media communications. Don’t underestimate the power of a blog on your industry website.

4:30 – 6:00 PM Opening Reception and Expo: This is your opportunity to meet sponsors and try wines from the Hunter Valley, Australia, and around the world.

6:00 PM Evening Festivities: To be announced

Friday, October 11

7:45 AM – 4:30 PM Registration & Expo: Meet our sponsors on breaks throughout the day.

8:30 – 8:50 AM Conference Opening: From Lynda Schenk of Wine Communicators of Australia and Allan Wright of Zephyr Conferences

8:50 – 9:00 AM Opening Remarks: By James Halliday

9:00 – 9:45 AM Introduction to the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, and the Australian Wine Industry

9:45 – 10:30 AM Keynote: To be Announced

10:30 – 10:45 AM Break

10:45 – 11:45 AM Wine Media: Similarities and Differences Around the World: Hear from a panel of writers, bloggers, and social media influencers from different countries on the current state of wine media in their regions and their predictions for the future.

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM Lunch

1:15 – 2:15 PM Wine Media and Wine Communicators: The Wine Media Conference attracts bloggers, traditional media, social media influencers, and industry communicators working for wineries and other wine industry businesses. In this session, we’ll hear from a panel that delves into the intersection of those who communicate about wine for a company and those who communicate about wine as media. How do wineries and other businesses best interact with and attract the wine media to tell their story? And what do wine media expect from their industry colleagues / hosts?

2:15 – 2:30 PM Break

2:30 – 3:30 PM The Future of Wine: We will have some very learned folks attending the Wine Media Conference and will bring three of them on stage to discuss the future of the wine industry. Topics can include global warming, marijuana legalization, the boom in both craft beer and craft spirits, the health effects of wine, and more. We will put out a call to attendees for topics. Speakers to be announced.

3:30 – 4:30 PM Live Red Wine Blogging: Live Wine Blogging is the signature event of the conference, in which 25 wineries each have five minutes to pour one wine for a table of attendees. Bloggers, writers, and influencers taste, analyze, and write about the wine or winery on the spot. Wineries then move to a new table in a speed-dating format.  Participating wineries so far:

4:30 – 5:00 PM Live Red Wine Blogging Follow-up – Meet the Winemakers: Take a few minutes to ask additional questions or try the wines of winemakers who did not reach your table. 

5:15 – 9:45 PM Wine Country Dinner Excursions: These dinner excursions are included in the ticket price. View the list of excursions here:  Friday Wine Country Excursions.  You will be able to register for an excursion upon registration check-in onsite.

Saturday, October 12

8:30 AM  Registration

9:00 – 9:45 AM Breakout Sessions: Choose one of three breakout sessions:

  • Advanced Social Media Marketing:  While we all engage in social media, it is sometimes hard to know if we are being effective.  This session will explore the hidden tips and tricks to maximize your engagement through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more.  It will also cover the pros and cons of paid advertising.
  • Content Marketing:  Content is king and should be given careful consideration through all aspects of your digital communications, whether you are writing for your own account or promoting a business.  Lead by Polly Hammond of 5Forests Marketing, you will learn how to create and implement content over many platforms to increase audience awareness and engagement.
  • Creating an Effective Media Program (Industry Track):  Do you have a media program in place that allows you to effectively communicate with local, regional, national and international media?  This session will show you the importance of putting a plan into place, review the elements of an effective media program and how to implement the program to increase your exposure.

9:45 – 9:55 AM Break

9:55 – 10:40 AM Breakout Sessions: Choose one of three breakout sessions:

  • Using Video Effectively:  Everyone wants a million views on their latest YouTube video – how does that happen?  Do you need to hire a professional to create a great video? We will explore the elements of effective video content as well as how to push those videos out into the web for the most views and engagement.
  • The Next Big Thing in Digital Marketing:  Digital Marketing includes email marketing, social media marketing, online advertising, and more. But often it is hard to know where to spend our time and money. What is the future of Facebook and Instagram and are these worth engaging in? Are people even reading my emails anymore?  Learn how to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing digital media landscape and find out what to look for in the future.
  • Big Data (Industry Track):  What is “big data” and how can you use it effectively to engage your customers and increase sales?  Experts will walk you through how to collect and use customer data to predict behavior and anticipate your customers’ needs.

10:40 – 10:50 AM Break

10:50 – 11:35 AM Breakout Sessions: Choose one of three breakout sessions:

  • Entertaining Wine Reviews:  How to Engage Your Audience:  Personality and humor go a long way in connecting with your readers – find out how to shine in your writing through this session with Drew Lambert from Wine Wankers and friends.
  • SEO and Google – Is Your Audience Finding You?:  This session will show you how Google allows customers to find you and how you can make that process work for you.  You will learn how to implement an effective SEO program that supports your goals and increases your following.
  • Selling More Wine With Less Effort (Industry Track):  Are you using the full potential of your cellar door in conjunction with your digital marketing program?  Learn how to integrate your digital marketing program with your sales efforts to continue engage customers long after they have visited your winery.

11:35 AM – 1:05 PM Lunch on Your Own

1:05 – 2:05 PM Discovery Sessions: Choose one of two Discovery Sessions, which are in-depth introductions, including wine tasting, to a winery or wine region.

2:05 – 2:20 PM Break

2:20 – 3:20 PM All-Group Session:  Where Does Wine Writing Go From Here?  Wine writing has changed vastly over the last 10 to 20 years, especially with the advent of digital platforms. Hear from a panel of long-time writers and bloggers and discover how the industry has changed since they began and how it will continue to evolve.

3:20 – 4:05 PM Lightning Talks: This is the opportunity to hear from your fellow attendees. We will have eight speakers, each of whom will have five minutes to present on a subject that is near to his or her heart. The catch is each speaker has to use 20 slides that are set to auto-rotate every 15 seconds, which keeps the talks fast and fun. We will issue a call for volunteers approximately 45 days prior to the conference.

4:05 – 4:20 PM Announcement of 2020 Location

4:20 – 5:20 PM Live White/Rosé Wine Social: Live Wine Social (previously Live Wine Blogging) is the signature event of the conference, in which 25 wineries each have five minutes to pour one wine for a table of attendees. Bloggers, writers, and influencers taste, analyze, and write about the wine or winery on the spot. Wineries then move to a new table in a speed-dating format.  Participating wineries so far:

5:20 – 5:50 PM Live White/Rosé Wine Social Follow-up – Meet the Winemakers: Take a few minutes to ask additional questions or try the wines of winemakers who did not reach your table.

5:50 – 6:00 PM Break

6:00 – 7:30 PM Australia Regional Wines Reception: Visit with representatives and taste wines from wine regions throughout Australia.

Sunday – Tuesday, October 13 – 15

Post-Conference Excursions: We are offering four post-conference excursions to wine regions inside New South Wales but outside the Hunter Valley.

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