Full Board – December 2019

 

Annual Meeting

 

The Board did a quick debrief of the Annual Meeting.

 

Plus

• Beth’s presentation – recap of the year, tough information following fires but good
• Logistics – location, vendors, set up
• Sandra Hess – presentation and Q&A
• Sponsors – well represented with tables and signage
• Networking
• Wine
• Attendance

 

Delta

• Sonoma County Tourism – presentations, CEO from SCT did not attend
• Too much stuff – pre-wine, just Beth presenting is best
• Sandra Hess – presentation was too rushed due to time constraints

 

In regard to Member engagement in the future, consider: the approach 2 events a year-

• Annual meeting in the late fall or early January
• Have a member BBQ after the April planning retreat

 

 

Barrel Tasting

 

The board discussed the 2020 ticket prices. In April (prior to October 2019 fire), the board agreed to move the price to $75. The question is should we raise the price, leave it the same as 2019, or raise it less than $75. Discussion points included:

• Consider leaving it at $50
• The board agreed in April 2019 to increase the ticket price to $75
• We need to keep the event affordable and approachable
• We know locals attend this event
• Should we consider $60 or $55?
• In 2021, if we are going to increase the price, we need to elevate the offering to attendees
• Should we consider $75 at the door

 

Agreed: Set the price the same as Winter Wineland ($60 in advance/$75 at the door)

 

 

 

 

 

Wine and Food Affair

 

The board discussed the date of the 2020 event. In light of the recent October fires, should we consider moving the date in 2020

Discussion items included:

• Current date is November 7-8, 2020
• Discussed other dates BUT decided to keep it on November 7-8

 

In planning for 2020, the board discussed how to utilized items created for 2019 but not used. Specifically:

• Repurpose the printed 2019 Wine and Food Affair brochure
• Can we re-use? Yes
• $5,000 paid to produce
• Wine Road staff will reach out to wineries to affirm their selections for 2020 (roll over from 2019)
• Beth will email wineries about repurposing the brochure
• Agreed it is important to keep quality if possible to use 2019 brochure
• Beth will secure event insurance for the event

 

 

#SIPSonoma Promotion

 

Beth asked the board to brainstorm the 2020 #SIPSonoma promotion. Ideas generated for each monthly promotion include:

• $5 shipping was used in November and was successful

 

THE WHY…

• Engagement
• Wine Road awareness
• Winery involvement
• Campaign every month – #SIPSonoma

 

2020 Monthly Promotions

• December2019 – January 2020 – Photo contest “How do you #SIPSonoma?”
• January – Twitter Tasting will be Thursday before Winter WineLand to get #SIPSonoma trending worldwide
• February –
  • Leap Year “Leap on a Future” or Love #SIPSonoma; be anywhere sipping Sonoma
  • February (Option) – #SIPSonoma Superbowl photo tag; What you are drinking, tag 3 people, post photo with #, eligible for a prize
  • February (Option) – We love to Leap, one extra day to #SIPSonoma; How will you #SIPSonoma with your one extra day? Photo with tag

 

 

• March – March Madness tied to Barrel Tasting
• Most tags for # by a Wine Road member
• Prizes and give-a-ways for the consumer
• March (Option) – Barrel Tasting focus
  • What is your #SIPSonoma for Barrel Tasting? #1seed (Sparkling v. whites; for example)
• Educate about Barrel Tasting
• 31 faces of barrels, cellars, barrel thief
• Tickets to 2020 tasting pass
• Tag friends @BT- tickets@thedoor
• April – Repeat the $5 shipping; “It’s not April Fools- $5 shipping- you can believe it!”
• May – “Rose all May
  • #”B”rose
• Photo and post with Rose
• June – Solstice – 30 days of Lodgings; Lodgings every day; These are places to stay; #SleepSonoma
• July – Vacation with SIPSonoma
  • Sonoma wine with you on vacation; Where in the world do you #SIPSonoma?
• August or September
  • Winemaker – Photo every day/month #SIPSonoma, what you “do” during Harvest

 

 

Brand Ambassadors

 

Beth asked the board for feedback on a new program, Brand Ambassadors. The board reviewed the website pages, terms, and requirements for the program.

 

Action Item: Board members are asked to share any potential social media ambassadors with Beth.

 

 

Extra Mile for Members

 

The board discussed what “the extra mile” means for it to consider expanding the AVA boundaries by an “extra mile”. Specifically,

• Discuss at the April retreat item or February Board Meeting
• Would it only be for lodgings? AVA only?
• Factors for the conversation
• How many wineries would be involved?