Sixth annual conference gathered 270 industry members for panels and presentations from Wine Unify Executive Director Alicia Towns Franken, Portland Timbers CEO Heather Davis, and more
Carlton, Ore. (July 22, 2024) — Women in Wine Oregon, a nonprofit organization fostering inclusion and the advancement of female leadership in the beverage industry, hosted its sixth annual conference on July 16 at Abbey Road Farm in the Willamette Valley. The conference provided opportunities for personal and professional development as well as the chance to connect with peers and leaders in the Oregon beverage industry.
“This week’s conference led with a message of connection and reinvigoration,” said Stacey Gibson, 2024 President of Women in Wine and partner at Parallel Food & Drink. “Attendees came from all sides of the wine industry, and it was our largest conference yet. ” Gibson opened the conference with a touching speech about how the organization has changed her life. “It is my hope that at this conference you are able to create connections or unlock something in yourself,” she said to the crowd of 270 guests.
The 2024 Women in Wine Conference, themed “RISE,” provided attendees with valuable insights from leading female wine professionals, business leaders, journalists, entrepreneurs, and industry trailblazers. Before the sessions began, the organization honored influential women in the industry, including southern Oregon wine pioneer Kara Olmo, and celebrated Portland chef Naomi Pomeroy. Partake Grants Pass funded a scholarship for the Women In Wine conference in Olmo’s honor.
The morning sessions included inspirational speeches from Britt Ide, CEO of Ide Energy & Strategy and board member on many corporate and nonprofit boards, and Alicia Towns Franken, founder of Towns Wine Company and executive director of Wine Unify, which works to support access to wine education for BIPOC wine professionals. Conference emcee Marli Williams then led the attendees in an exercise about forming true connections with new acquaintances.
The morning panel focused on storytelling, and featured Samantha Cole Johnson from Jancisrobinson.com, Clive Pursehouse from Decanter, and tastemakers and journalists Julia Coney and Nori De Vega. The lively discussion moderated by Trish Glose focused on utilizing storytelling to increase sales and to draw more visitors to a region or winery. Johnson and Coney directed the attendees to tell more authentic stories on social media. “People are hungry for education and information,” said Johnson. “If you can teach someone something, they are going to remember that forever.” Julia Coney shared that she believes the Women In Wine conference “brings humanity back into wine.”
Afternoon sessions included professional kiteboarder Sensi Graves who shared her inspiring story about conquering imposter syndrome and starting her own swimwear company, and a panel of female leaders in the Oregon beverage industry.
The final panel featured the leaders of the Portland Timbers for an enlightening discussion about leading as women and individuals, while supporting your team and encouraging women to move up the ladder. “None of us got here on our own,” shared CEO Heather Davis. “We had advocates along the way, male and female.”
The conference attendees were greeted with nonalcoholic bubbles from Varnum Vintners and a continental breakfast. Lunch featured sparkling wine from Varnum and Dhōs nonalcoholic cocktails. A post-conference Happy Hour was sponsored by Bauman’s Cider, Brooks Wine, featured charcuterie from returning sponsor Sprig & Spread. Guests left with a Women in Wine Oregon cotton tote bag full of sponsor gifts. Attendees not only had opportunities to network at the conference but also at the pre-conference happy hour with partners Travel Dundee and Alt Wine Fest, and at the after-party at The Dundee.
Carrie Anderson, a Women in Wine founder and Sponsorship Chair, and her team secured a record 55 sponsors, including the Diamond sponsor UBS Financial Services. Transportation was provided by Gold sponsor NW Wine Shuttle. Other Gold sponsors include AgWest Farm Credit, Linfield University Center for Wine Education, Northwest Distribution and Storage, Wine Direct, and Domaine Serene. In addition to conference scholarship and lodging, Women in Wine Oregon offers WSET scholarships statewide thanks to generous sponsorship partners.
Save the date! The Women in Wine Oregon Conference returns on July 15, 2025.
ABOUT WOMEN IN WINE OREGON
Women in Wine Oregon is a membership-based nonprofit organization committed to promoting the inclusion and advancement of female leadership in the wine and beverage industry. Since its inception in 2019, Women in Wine Oregon has been instrumental in supporting long-term growth of women in the industry through ongoing networking events, an annual conference, and a year-long mentorship program. For more information, please visit womeninwineoregon.com.
