Wine industry professional associations offer a slew of opportunities for positive exposure for your business, including networking, continuing education and opportunities to give back to the wine growers community. In addition to members of the wine industry group who work within the industry in some capacity, you will have opportunities to be recognized by other wine association members, including businesses that support the gigantic wine industry.

Affiliation with winery organizations provides lobbying and networking opportunities that can be immensely helpful to your own business interests, while you support the industry. Membership in wine organizations often means access to information and contacts that can be important to your own company. Regional wine industry organizations offer even more chances to network with local business and industry leaders in your community. Use your membership in wine industry trade associations in a number of different ways.

1. Expand your network through wine industry trade organizations

2. Support the industry by participating in a wine growers association

3. Stand out as a leader in wine industry organizations

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop business contacts in an international wine association

Winery organizations hold regular meetings, seminars and conventions for members and interested parties. At these professional associations wine events, as well as though various committees in which you could participate, you will have numerous occasions to socialize and network with other business people who support and work with the wine industry. The business leaders you meet could offer a number of new business opportunities for you and your company.

I recommend: The Wine Institute is a wine growers association with more than 1,000 members in the California wine growers community. Free the Grapes is a wine organization of consumers and business leaders who promote trade between the states.

Show your interest by joining winery organizations

Especially if you hope to do business with wine companies in any capacity, you will want to express your support as well as meet national and local leaders in the industry. You often can do this best by participating in wine industry organizations with both your presence and your financial support.

I recommend: Join the Specialty Wine Retailers Association to work with members from every facet of the wine industry in networking and lobbying events. The National Association of Beverage Importers is a broader organization the works with wine businesses and other beer and spirits businesses as well.

Set yourself up as an industry expert in wine organizations

To stand out as an expert and further your own business interests, you need to be recognized by your peers. Many wine industry trade associations present opportunities to impress your peers through speaking engagements, training seminars and writing opportunities. Start in a committee and volunteer to speak or write for the group until you develop a reputation that other members of the group recognize.

I recommend: Women for WineSense is a grass-roots organization with many local chapters that are always looking for speakers and industry experts to address the groups’ many events. RAP is a specialty wine industry association that promotes rose wines and their reputation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join a committee in your wine industry group to develop closer relationships with others who could provide helpful to your wine business.