Another successful Sage’s Symposium has concluded and we are still reminiscing in the memories that were made by our wonderful customers. Sage’s Symposium is an elite gathering of top-notch wine and grape industry leaders held right here in East Texas. The moment our doors were opened, the excitement and anticipation of our guests from near and far filled the room. The first day of the event we had the joy of hosting our clients and showcasing our recently expanded facility. An interactive Question + Answer session with Ron Yates of Spicewood and Ron Yates Winery, was the highlight of the day, followed by a wine tasting… which is always a hit.
The second day of Symposium, we welcomed our guests to the Fredonia Hotel in downtown Nacogdoches where the day was filled with dynamic speakers and of course, another wine tasting.
Our day was kicked off with a session featuring Valerie Elkins, Director of Membership with William Chris Wine Company, on The Top Three Things Your Business Must Have to Succeed. As aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners, we found this session to be applicable to all as Valerie unfolded three key elements that are key to the success of any enterprise.
The grape growers in the room enjoyed A Look Into the State of Growing on the High Plains with Daniel Pate, Owner Operator of Apical Texas Vineyard Management & Consulting. He shared his enthusiasm for the burgeoning of production in the High Plains, which has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years.
January Weise, Executive Director of Texas Hill Country Wineries, grasped the attention of the entire group as she discussed Finding Your Tribe: Working with and Being a Member of an Association. She shared how various groups offer support and provide a collective voice to influence change. Associations not only nurture personal and professional growth, but also enhance credibility and recognition within the industry.
Our keynote speaker, Amie Hendrickson, Operations Manager with TEXSOM, concluded the event with a discussion on Wine Competitions and What They Can Do For Your Brand. In the competitive world of wine, standing out from the crowd and capturing the attention of discerning consumers is no easy task. Amie shared incredible insight on the importance of recognition from wine competitions at all levels and fielded numerous questions from our guests.
Nonetheless, the 6th Annual Sage’s Symposium served as the place for like-minded individuals to connect, exchange ideas and foster meaningful, long lasting relationships. Each and every conversation helped to enrich the Symposium by creating a sense of community and camaraderie among those in attendance. We look forward to planning the next Symposium and anticipate another elite event as industry leaders gather from near and far in eastern Texas once again.
