by Smoke | Jul 2, 2010 | 2010 Event, Distributors, E-commerce, Education, Software, Supply Chain, WITS Happenings

Abbey Klassen, Executive Editor, Ad Age
For those of you who have followed this blog over the years, you will know that it was launched in 2005 when we first created WITS.  The 6th Wine Industry Technology Symposium promises to be our best ever.  Besides an action packed agenda of break out sessions with real take home value, I am very pleased with our two keynote speakers Michael Gelb and Abbey Klaassen. Both of these accomplished individuals represent what WITS is all about, innovation and how we can all adopt to the changing business environment in which we live.  I hope you choose to join me at this year’s conference.  It will be worth the effort.  See you in Napa!
Abbey Klaassen of Advertising Age to Deliver Keynote at
Wine Industry Technology Symposium in July
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June 9, 2010, Napa, CA – Abbey Klaassen, Executive Editor of Advertising Age, a leading global source of news, intelligence and conversation for marketing and media communities will deliver the keynote speech at the sixth annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)® July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriott Napa Valley.
Klaassen’s address, titled “Living in a Post-Digital World,†will address consumer behavior and the resulting opportunities for businesses in this post-digital world. When every physical location is accompanied by a digital experience, social media increasingly becomes a reflection of real life. Interactive technology is like the air we breathe “so ubiquitous we often take it for granted.â€
Conference co-chair, Lesley Berglund said: “We were looking for a keynote speaker who could address the technology shift that has changed the way we do business. We wanted to go beyond networking tools and really take a look at the far reaching implications of our digital lives. We are thrilled to have Klassen sharing her perspective…â€
Best Selling Author Michael Gelb to Deliver One of the Keynotes
at Wine Industry Technology Symposium in July

Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking - Gelb and Wallin at book release
Register Now for Tech Summit
June 22, 2010, Napa, CA – Michael Gelb, author of international best seller How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, Innovate Like Edison: The Five-Step System for Breakthrough Business Success and Wine Drinking For Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices will deliver the keynote speech at the sixth annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriott Napa Valley.
Gelb’s general session address, titled “How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci,†will discuss the application of genius thinking to personal and organizational development. Gelb is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, accelerated learning, and innovative leadership and has more than 30 years of experience as a professional speaker, seminar leader and organizational consultant.
Gelb will not only be one of the keynote speakers in the general session but will also be a speaker for the networking dinner being held at the Napa Marriott on Tuesday night, July 13th. His address, titled “Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking: Uncork Your Creative Juices,†also the title of his book, will discuss expanding creativity through wine appreciation. Gelb’s book comes highly recommended by wine authorities such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Host of Wine Library TV and Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate and others.
Conference co-chair, Smoke Wallin said: “Gelb’s message couldn’t be more timely. The wine industry is changing at a rapid pace which requires both owners and team members to find new ways to do business. We’re thrilled that we can offer both innovative technologies and a new perspective for applying them at the conference.â€
Online Registration Now Open
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS), the premier industry event showcasing innovation and the strategic use of information technology, is now accepting online registrations for its fifth annual conference. The event will be held on July 13-14, 2010 at the Marriot Napa Valley. www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
Early Bird Pricing Ends July 2
Tickets are available online before Friday July 3rd and at the “early bird†price of $100 for day one and $250 for day two, per guest. After July 4th, registrants pay the full price of $150 and $300, respectively. Full program details are available online.
About WITS
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) was created in 2005 by a group of wine industry and technology professionals. The purpose of WITS is to address the unique information technology and services needs of the wine industry. WITS is dedicated to bringing the world’s leading wineries, wholesalers and retailers together with some of the world’s leading technology experts to foster learning and discussion. Panels of experts will discuss specific examples and case studies. www.WineIndustryTechnologySymposium.com
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Media Contact:
Lesley P. Berglund, co-chair, 707-246-6827
Pete Blackshaw of Nielsen on last year’s WITS conference:
Pete Blackshaw on WITS 2009
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by Smoke | Mar 15, 2010 | 2010 Event, Distributors
I usually try to keep this focused on relevant issues I see in the industry that deserve being called out or discussed in some greater detail. Those of you who have read my posts will know that once in a while I will reflect on something or in this case, someone, who has made a big impact on me. This was a tough week. I was at Bar & Nightclub for their annual shindig in Vegas, where I met with business partners, potential customers and spoke on two panels about what brands might be next in the wine, spirits and beer business. I’ll post later on about this as I think it is a very good topic for discussion and attention.
DUSTIN DRAPKIN
I found out on Tuesday that Dustin Drapkin, a 23 year old rising star passed away while in Aspen at his family vacation home. See his obit in the NY Times here. This was more than shocking to me. Dustin had graduated undergrad from the U of Penn Wharton school last year. I met him through his father Donald Drapkin whom I met while raising money for a new liquor brand I was the consulting on and acting as CEO. Donald is the Vice Chair of Lazard and an incredibly accomplished individual. We met first at the Four Season’s restaurant in NY for lunch. During the course of our conversation we discussed our families and he told me about Dustin. Dustin was described to me as a very smart, free spirited individual who was looking for the right career path out of school, but was an unlikely fit in a standard corporate setting. I immediately became interested in meeting him as I was looking to put a small team together to launch the spirits brand.
Dustin and I met at the Cornell Club in NY for lunch. During the course of our first, 2nd and 3rd subsequent meetings at the Cornell Club, I was struck by Dustin’s raw enthusiasm for life and living. We hit it off and I gave him a provisional offer (pending funding of the company) prior to his graduation trip abroad over the summer. I have rarely seen anyone as enthusiastic about any new project as Dustin was to join my team. His energy was infectious. When the owners of the new brand abruptly pulled the plug on the project, one of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had was to let Dustin know we would not be moving forward last August.   I told him that I could not predict when or exactly what, but down the road there would be opportunities for us to do things together. We agreed to stay in touch.
By November I was back in NY for Wine 2.0 and reached out to Dustin to see what he was up to. It turns out, he and some friends were using their music industry background to create the “world DJ league”… he was very excited about it and I told him I’d be happy to help in any way I could. Dustin and a friend attended Wine 2.0 NY and then the next day, we spent about 5 hours together discussing his new business, listening to my wife sing and another friend play piano and generally enjoying life.

Dustin Drapkin and Smoke Wallin
I agreed to join his board and to help mentor him as they progressed. Little did I know that was the last I’d see Dustin.

I did receive a call from Dustin in January telling me he had been accepted into the French Culinary Institute and that he was pursuing his dream to be a chef. I unfortunately, never had the chance to speak to him again. Dustin died way too young. His friends put a group together on Facebook “why I’ll always remember Dustin Drakin” which has some nice pictures and memories. My heart felt condolences go out to Donald and Bearnice and the whole Drapkin family.
RAY TYE
On Friday I received word that Ray Tye had passed away at 87. Ray was an incredible individual and someone whom I admired greatly coming up in the wine and spirits industry. Ray had almost “Pope-like” qualities and respect from everyone who knew him. There has been much written about his great philanthropy to needy kids and causes. His Boston Herald obit is here. Ray was one of Boston’s and frankly this country’s greatest philanthropists. I got to know Ray beginning in from afar in the late 1980s and then up close in the mid 1990s through the middle 2000s. As I was coming up in the leadership at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America WSWA, Ray was always a steady and wise voice in the room who’s counsel I greatly benefited from. One other great thing about Ray was his son Micheal Tye. Micheal and I became friends through WSWA and he was a real forward thinking individual. While I know he and his father had a falling out at one point, they had reconciled and Michal had rejoined the family firm (United Liquors) prior to his untimely death, also from cancer.

WSWA past presidents, including Ray Tye (4th from left) and Smoke Wallin
A couple of shots of Ray from WSWA days…
I’m heading to Boston in the am for Ray’s service. Although I’m sure Ray and Dustin never met, I believe Ray would have instantly taken a liking to Dustin as I did. My wish is wherever they are, if it is possible, that they meet. One man who accomplished so much in a long and prosperous life. Another who in a short short span, showed so much promise. They both had a tremendous effect on those who were blessed to meet them. Rest in peace gentlemen.
My thoughts are with you both.

Ray and Eileen Tye in St. Lucia at WSWA exec retreat
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