Adapt, Connect, Thrive: Why Sales & Marketing Leaders Can’t Miss this Event
In a time when the wine industry is facing headwinds on every front—rising inventories, demographic shifts, changing consumer preferences, and continued economic pressure—many wineries are grappling with how to evolve their approach to sales and marketing. The upcoming Wine Sales Symposium, taking place May 14th at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, was created specifically for wine sales and marketing professionals who are ready to embrace change and seek out the strategies driving real growth in today’s marketplace.
Hosted by the Wine Industry Network, this one-day, in-person event brings together top-performing wine brands, leading industry voices, and innovative thinkers for a focused, no-fluff conversation about what’s working—and what’s not—in the business of wine.
There are wineries out there that are doing well, but they’re not relying on the same old playbook. They’ve accepted that the market has shifted and are testing new approaches, adjusting messaging, and building stronger connections with their customers. That’s exactly the kind of thinking we’re spotlighting at this event.
George Christie, President & CEO of Wine Industry Network.
Sessions Designed for Doers, Not Bystanders
Unlike broader wine industry events, the Wine Sales Symposium zeroes in on sales and marketing-specific content, making it especially valuable for winery executives and teams tasked with driving revenue and brand growth. Sessions are designed to deliver practical, applicable insights—not theory—and offer a chance to learn directly from those who are adapting and thriving.
From pricing and packaging to content strategy and distribution, the program covers the spectrum of sales challenges facing wineries in today’s environment.
Key Conference Highlights You Can’t Miss:
- State of the Industry with Dr. Chris Bitter, offering a data-driven breakdown of current market forces, consumer trends, and key headwinds shaping both DTC and wholesale channels.
- Cracking the Code: Why Some Wine Brands Are Thriving Against the Odds, a dynamic closing session featuring cross-sector perspectives from J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, O’Neill Vintners, Breakthru Beverage, and more. This discussion will unpack the real strategies driving success, from impact-driven branding to navigating SKU consolidation.
- Mastering Modern Media, a panel of wine journalists and PR experts exploring how smart media strategy can increase visibility and drive sales. Panelists will answer the question every winery is asking: Does media coverage really help sell wine, and how do you make it work for your brand?
Beyond the Sessions: Networking, Celebration & Onsite Resources
In addition to the main sessions, attendees will benefit from four targeted breakout sessions that dive deeper into sales and marketing topics critical to winery success today. These sessions are designed to be interactive and immediately applicable, giving attendees a closer look at specialized strategies and tools.
The day also includes a Marketing Awards Winners Celebration, recognizing standout campaigns and creative work from across the wine industry. Attendees will enjoy a catered outdoor lunch, offering time to relax, connect with peers, and recharge between sessions.
As the day wraps up, the Symposium will host a special end-of-day Wine Social—a relaxed networking reception featuring local wines and the opportunity to connect directly with winery owners, marketing executives, wholesale distributors, DTC experts, and industry peers.
Throughout the event, attendees can also explore the Sales & Marketing Resources – select industry vendors and solution providers that will be exhibiting onsite. It’s a chance to discover tools, services, and partnerships that can support your marketing and sales goals—plus build new business relationships in a meaningful, face-to-face setting.
2025 Wine Marketing Award Winners!
Winning a Wine Marketing Award not only honors the recipients for their outstanding marketing achievements but also sets a benchmark for creativity and excellence, enhancing their reputation in the wine industry and beyond.
View the winners now and join us in celebrating this year’s winners showcased at the
Wine Sales Symposium on May 14, 2025.
Real People, Real Conversations, Real Solutions
What sets WISS apart is its interactive format and peer-to-peer value. The Symposium isn’t just about sitting in on sessions—it’s about connecting with other winery professionals who are also navigating uncertainty and seeking fresh ideas. Attendees gain not only expert insights from the stage, but also powerful takeaways from the people they meet over coffee, during lunch, and between sessions.
Whether you’re working to reinvigorate your wine club, capture younger audiences on social media, or reposition your brand in a crowded shelf space, the conversations at WISS are designed to help you find your next move.
If you’re a sales or marketing leader looking to sharpen your strategy, build new relationships, and come away with actionable ideas that can move the needle, this is the event for you. The Wine Sales Symposium is a rare chance to step outside your day-to-day and invest in learning what it takes to succeed in today’s wine market.
The future of wine is being shaped right now.
Be in the room where it happens.
To view the full event schedule, conference program, speaker line-up, and registration, visit: www.winesalessymposium.com
