The Wine Bloggers Conference affords attendees the opportunity to visit a different wine region every year, get to know the host wineries and wines up close and personal, and bone-up on social media practices, blogging skills, and marketing in the digital world. At just $95 for Citizen Bloggers, the conference itself is down-right affordable. The costs associated with getting to the conference + lodging can be cost prohibitive to some potential attendees. The Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship, established in 2009 by Thea Dwelle, founder/author of Luscious Lushes, helps support Citizen Bloggers who otherwise might not be able to attend. The 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship is accepting applications and aims to support bringing Citizen Bloggers to the Finger Lakes region of New York this August 13-16, 2015.
How the Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship Provides Support
WBC Scholarship funds are generated by donations from participating wineries and other wine industry entities + individuals. One hundred percent of the funds support the scholarships. In 2014, scholarship recipients received an average of $1000 to attend the WBC in Buellton, CA. This money went towards registration, travel costs, and accommodations. The 2014 WBC Scholarship supported three Canadian wine bloggers, one British blogger, and several bloggers from the United States.
2015 Sponsorship Opportunities
The 2015 WBC Scholarship is looking for donations, of any size, that will go to a fund to be awarded to bloggers based on need, blogging history, and written statements of why they qualify for assistance and wish to attend.
Premier Sponsors (donations of $1,000+) receive free advertising on both Enobytes (banner ads) and Luscious Lushes, as well as the WBC Scholarship site. Premier Sponsors also receive a write up on the WBC Scholarship Fund blog outlining their business and why they believe in bloggers and the conference.
The Scholarship Fund is also looking for glass sponsors to assist in creating keepsake glasses with their logo, as well as the WBC Scholarship Fund logo, on them to take to the WBC15 gatherings and to take home. The WBC Scholarship Fund glasses were a huge success at the 2014 conference in Buellton!
In 2015, the WBC Scholarship Fund will have a Sponsor table where the WBC Scholarship Committee and former recipients will be available to answer questions, pour partner wine and interact with conference attendees.
In exchange for receiving conference stipends, each Scholarship recipient is asked to write a minimum of one post after attending the conference that describes what the WBC meant to them, what they learned, and giving thanks to each donor.
Enobytes, an online publication whose emphasis is on “bridging the gap between consumers and wine industry professionals”, is a parter in the 2015 Scholarship program and is helping spread the love of wine and writing about wine with their support. Thanks to Enobytes, the WBC Scholarship Fund is accepting donations as a US based 501 (c) non-profit organization.
Who the Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship Recipients Are
Recipients are Citizen Bloggers (writers not affiliated with business or organization) with a demonstrated financial need. Specific application attention is paid to applicants who post regularly, have never attended the conference, and who might be students with a particular focus in wine. Applicants are asked to describe their blog, their financial need pertaining to the conference, and why they are deserving of a scholarship. Stipends are awarded through a committee selection process based on this criteria.
How to Contribute to the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship Fund
The 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship Fund is accepting donations for this year’s conference in the Finger Lakes of NY via the donor page, personal or corporate check. Thea Dwelle handles the mechanics of the WBC Scholarship Fund. Please let her know if you prefer to cut a check – there are some specific rules with 501 (c) organizations. Thea can be reached at: thea@wbcscholarship.com
How to Apply to Be a Scholarship Recipient
Citizen Bloggers can apply to be considered for the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship via this Application Link
A big shout out to Thea Dwelle for being a crucial supporter of the world of wine and wine writing. Thea has attended every Wine Bloggers Conference since the beginning (2008!) and is fundamental in bringing Citizen Bloggers to every conference who otherwise might not have the chance to attend. Cheers, Thea!
ho thats fine actually conference and scholarship