by Smoke | Mar 28, 2014 | 2014 Event, BITS Happenings, Blog, Brand Management, Brands & Distribution, Event, General Technology, Software, WITS Happenings
This weeks release of the full 2013 numbers on craft beer by the Craft Brewers Association confirms something many of us already knew: this movement is accelerating. I’d go a step further and say the best is yet to come. Here is the info-graphic the CBA published this week:
Pretty incredible numbers – going from 4.4% volume share in 2009 to 7.8% in 2013. On a dollar basis, even more impressive with a 20% increase over 2012 to $14.3 billion, giving craft beer a 14.3% share of the $100 billion US beer market. The number of breweries grew at a slightly slower pace (15%), giving slightly more sales per brewery.
This is a booming market and with that there are multiple new entrants and there will be inevitably, winners and losers. That said, a growing market makes up for a lot of mistakes and there are a lot more winners right now than not. The key is matching investment to real potential in any particular INDIVIDUAL business.  A growing market is good for everyone, but it does an individual aspiring brewery little good if they spend too much on their building, don’t brew great beer that people enjoy, don’t create a brand that resonates with consumers and market place, take too long to get up and running, hire the wrong time, don’t know what their numbers are or what the right things to measure are, run out of money, etc. I could continue, but there are a ton of ways to be unsuccessful in this space, no matter what the growth is.
That is why I got together with a number of industry thought leaders to create the Beer Industry Technology Symposium (BITS) being held in Napa, CA June 30 & July 1 in conjunction with the Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)
         
Yes, technology is in the name and there will be a bunch of things at the 2 day event that revolve around technology, but that is NOT the main point. The main point is what I am talking about above. There are so many challenges with running any new business and craft beer is no different. With all the new players and the many existing players who are experience growth beyond their wildest expectations, these businesses need sound strategic thinking around what matters.  Technology is not “What Matters”, but it is the great enabler that in 2014, done right, can create the conditions for a successful business venture. Thinking through the myriad of options and what exactly one is trying to do is critical before you even start your brewery. If you already have one, and skipped this part of the planning, it is never to early to get on it and address these issues.
I really enjoyed the new Siemens commercial (that seems to be running on TV on every show I watch – which is not very many) profiling the Schlafly Brewery and American manufacturing. Here it is:
What a terrific message and a boost to the craft brewing industry at the same time. I reached out to the Siemens team and they jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the first BITS. How cool!   This is also true of the California Craft Brewers Association who joined us recently as a GOLD sponsor and are marketing the BITS event to their 200+ members in CA.
BITS will be announcing these and many other great contributors in the form of keynote speakers and panels who are lining up to be a part of what we hope will become a must attend event for everyone in the industry who wants to be smart about running their business. Please reach out to me directly if you’d like to get involved. Registration will open up in mid April.
The craft brewing industry is in its preteen days… there is much growth in front of us and a lot of learning and growing up. This is an opportunity for collaboration with fellow breweries and professionals and leading edge thinkers in technology on how to grow up and be successful in your beer business. The best is yet to come!
Cheers! 
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by Smoke | Jul 13, 2013 | 2013 Event, E-commerce, eskye, General Technology, Software, Supply Chain, Technology, WITS Happenings
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone attending WITS on Monday and Tuesday at the Napa Valley Marriott! Â Here is our final announcement re the event…
9th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposiumâ„¢ – Witsâ„¢ Set To Deliver Action Packed Agenda Next WeekÂ
There is Still Time To Sign Up Today For 9th Annual WITSâ„¢ Â
Beginning Monday, July 15 and 16 @ Napa Valley MarriottÂ
Leading Technology Innovators Demonstrate Latest Products and Services During Sold Out ShowcaseÂ
Napa, CA— July 11, 2013— Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) today announced its final agenda and speakers for the 9th annual event to be held July 15 & 16 in Napa, CA.  Keynotes bring elite leadership, social media and the transformative cloud to the wine industry.
If Technology is the making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, and methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem, achieve a goal, handle an applied input/output relation or perform a specific function, WITS mission is the creation of a safe environment to challenge assumptions in order to elevate the wine industry’s strategic use of technology to achieve superior results.
Over the years, WITS has done exactly this, by hosting the Chief Information Officer CIO Forum, providing thought provoking keynote speakers, delivering hands on break out sessions, profiling a technology showcase while fostering extensive networking opportunities for all attendees. This 9th conference promises to be the best ever! If you are involved in using, choosing or creating technology for your wine related business, you really don’t want to miss this once a year opportunity.
3 Keynotes & A Tribute
- Jonathan Good, Senior SMR Solutions at Oracle will speak on “Developing a Social Relationship Management Strategy for Wine †building on his experience as founder of HelloSocialMedia.com – a social media and marketing agency that focused on the creation and execution of social media programs, including blogging, community development, Internet marketing, design and web development.
- Miles Ward, Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services will speak about Big Data for Real World Businesses showing tools, techniques and clear ROI for analysis in the cloud. Miles helped NASA live-stream the Mars Rover landing, developed the online Obama For America 2012 presidential campaign, and has helped thousands of companies make the leap to the cloud.
- Award-winning serial entrepreneur and successful luxury hotel owner, author, speaker, and former U.S. Army Green Beret Larry Broughton shares his insights on transforming ordinary teams into extraordinary ones.
“I’m very pleased to have Larry Broughton, Jonathan Good and Miles Ward join us on our Keynote program.†said J. Smoke Wallin, founder and co-chairman of WITS. He continued, “I have had the privileged of interacting with each of our speakers and know they will each deliver inspirational and thought provoking discussions that will deliver real take home value to all our winery attendees.â€
Attendees can register at www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
About WITS: The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) is the focal point for thought leadership in the strategic and tactical use of technology in the global wine industry. WITS was created in 2005 by a group of wine industry and technology professionals to advance innovation and to address the unique information technology and services needs of the wine industry.  The 9th annual WITS is July 15 & 16 in Napa, CA. Join WITS on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn more.
For more information, contact Waunice Orchid of the Wine Industry Symposium Group at 707-261-8716 or waunice@swgnapa.com
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by Smoke | Apr 25, 2013 | 2013 Event, E-commerce, eskye, FDA Compliance, General Technology, News, Software, Supply Chain, Technology, WINE 2.0, WITS Happenings
Keynote Announcement… please join us this summer at our 9th annual WITS conference… it will be great!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 25, 2013     Contact: Waunice Orchard                                                waunice@swgnapa.com
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Thought Leaders to Discuss Strategic and Tactical Uses of Technology, Building Elite Teams and Lessons From the U.S. Military Special Forces.Â
Best Practices To Drive Wine Brands and Businesses
 at the 9th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium Symposium
Napa, CA— April 25, 2013— Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) today announced its Keynote speakers for the 9th annual event to be held July 15 & 16 in Napa, CA.  Keynotes by Larry Broughton, Jonathan Good and Miles Ward bring elite leadership, social media and the transformative cloud to the wine industry.
Keynote ELITE: 5 Special Ops Success Strategies for Building Top Performing Teams: Imagine what would happen if you place 12 highly intelligent, Type-A personalities in a boardroom and gave them a task to perform. The result would likely be complete pandemonium! Yet the U.S. Military has discovered a way to turn top individual performers into unstoppable teams literally capable of toppling countries. Award-winning serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and former U.S. Army Green Beret Larry Broughton shares his insights on transforming ordinary teams into extraordinary ones.
“I’m very pleased to have Larry, Jonathan and Miles join us on our Keynote program.†said J. Smoke Wallin, founder and co-chairman of WITS. He continued, “I have had the privileged of interacting with each of our speakers and know they will each deliver inspirational and thought provoking discussions that will deliver real take home value to all our winery attendees.â€
Jonathan Good, Senior SMR Solutions at Oracle will give a keynote on “Developing a Social Relationship Management Strategy in the Wine Industryâ€.
Find out how to create a strategic social media program that will build brand awareness and buzz, drive revenue and gain the trust of your online community. Learn social media best practices and how to manage and recruit a community of supporters who will embrace and recommend your brands through the use of social relationship management best practices.  Jonathan Good is a Senior SRM Solutions Consultant at Oracle. He provides technical and functional support to prospective clients and customers for Oracle’s Social Relationship Management platform.

Before joining Oracle, Jonathan was the founder of HelloSocialMedia.com – a social media and marketing agency that focused on the creation and execution of social media programs, including blogging, community development, Internet marketing, design and web development.
In addition, Amazon, a company that has revolutionized whole industries, has now gotten serious about the wine industry. Find out about how Amazon is building the next generation platforms that are literally transforming how software and services are delivered, from Miles Ward, Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services.Â
Miles will speak about Big Data for Real World Businesses showing tools, techniques and clear ROI for analysis in the cloud. Miles helped NASA live-stream the Mars Rover landing, developed the Obama For America 2012 presidential campaign, and has helped thousands of companies make the leap to the cloud.
“I’m very pleased to have such a strong program for 2013. I look forward to welcoming the industry to our 9th Annual event!†said, Lesley Berglund, co-chairman of WITS and co-founder and chairman of the Wine Industry Sales Education (WISE) Academy
Berglund continued, “When Larry Broughton is not speaking and coaching, his day job is running his luxury hotel company, Broughton Hotels. Having an operator who knows the wine business where it touches the consumer will provide a unique perspective to our winery attendees.â€
Early bird pricing to attend WITS end June 1, 2013. Attendees can register at www. wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com beginning May 1.
About WITS: The Wine Industry Technology Symposium® (WITS) is the focal point for thought leadership in the strategic and tactical use of technology in the global wine industry. WITS was created in 2005 by a group of wine industry and technology professionals to advance innovation and to address the unique information technology and services needs of the wine industry.  The 9th annual WITS is July 15 & 16 in Napa, CA. Join WITS on Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn more.
For more information, contact Waunice Orchid of the Wine Industry Symposium Group at 707-261-8716 or waunice@swgnapa.com
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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
Register Now for Tech Summit
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
#Â Â #Â Â #
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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