Calling Out the Virginia Wine Showcase
Normally, I try not to post too many negative things about the Virginia wine industry. Its not that I worry about repercussions (after all, no one actually reads this blog except for comment spammers ;)), but as an emerging wine region Virginia is bound to have growing pains. In this case though, I think needs something needs to be said.
I like the Virginia Wine Showcase. I think they put on a good show that is an excellent value for the money. They also do a lot of outreach to bloggers, and, frankly, its a great way to break up the monotony of winter.
As most of you know, the Washington DC area got 2+ feet of snow this weekend and everything is completely shut down, except the Virginia Wine Showcase. Some of the comments on the front page of the event are ridiculous:
Come early and get stuck in a room full of snow while the snow plow does its thing
Main Roads are usually in pretty good shape ... Sunday is supposed to be nice ...
I understand that they invested a lot of money in the event and stand to lose a great deal if they have to cancel the event, but that is what event insurance is for. The fact that they are refusing to issue refunds is horrible.
Unless they change their policy on this I will not mention or post any more of their events, here or at the wine club. I know that I don't actually have any influence, so it doesn't really matter whether or not I do this, but I still think it needs to be said.
I like the Virginia Wine Showcase. I think they put on a good show that is an excellent value for the money. They also do a lot of outreach to bloggers, and, frankly, its a great way to break up the monotony of winter.
As most of you know, the Washington DC area got 2+ feet of snow this weekend and everything is completely shut down, except the Virginia Wine Showcase. Some of the comments on the front page of the event are ridiculous:
Come early and get stuck in a room full of snow while the snow plow does its thing
Main Roads are usually in pretty good shape ... Sunday is supposed to be nice ...
I understand that they invested a lot of money in the event and stand to lose a great deal if they have to cancel the event, but that is what event insurance is for. The fact that they are refusing to issue refunds is horrible.
Unless they change their policy on this I will not mention or post any more of their events, here or at the wine club. I know that I don't actually have any influence, so it doesn't really matter whether or not I do this, but I still think it needs to be said.
Labels: Virginia Wine Showcase
posted by allan at 12:12 PM
9 Comments:
We weren't panning to go, but encouraging people to drive and not giving refunds is incredibly irresponsible. Props for calling them out!
WOW. Not only encouraging people to drive when state officials are begging people to stay OFF the roads so that critical services can be provided... but this is encouraging people to come out and DRINK and get on the roads. REALLY?
Kim
Went to the Virginia Wine Showcase today. It was great. The promoters said I could come on Sunday too. Public transportation was running and I was not driving impaired. I don't think the issue is about losing money. Many of the wineries came a great distance and the event cannot be re-scheduled due to the Expo bookings. Although the Virginia wine industry did not put on the show, the promoter showed that the wineries show up when they say they will. Looking forward to a great Sunday
What public transportation was running? I know there was no bus service and Metro rail was not running above ground.
If you actually had the ability to go - then GREAT, you go, you pay and you get in. But for those who had pre-paid tickets, Virginia Wine Events should most certainly have offered a refund. Public transportation was not running from DC, as most of us would have used over ground rail and the metro was shut down. Driving was not a possibility. If the show must go on, then fine - but don't punish loyal customers (we go to all the VA wine events) due to the weather, instead, you should recognize loyalty and reimburse those pre-paid tickets. I will not be going to one of these VA wine events anytime soon.
Anonymous above must work for the event company or live 10 minutes away. I live about an hour away. No public transportation was running. I95 on the MD side was a one-lane road per the news. . I can't believe that they are not offering refunds or even a voucher for next year. Encouraging people to come imbibe during a blizzard boggles my mind. I'm never prepaying for tickets again.
As a paided vendor for the event, it was most disappointing when the event planners did not respond to several pre-event emails requesting information other than the advice that their reading of the weather models was to expect only a dusting of snow. No refund ($500) or partial discount to particiate in future events has been offered and it has been radio silence since Friday. Despite all this, encouraging the public to get out in this weather is irresponsible and is the attitude that most wine vendors were staying in nearby hotels so who cares.
I was there as a crafter. I got there early and stayed on site, so I had no problem getting to the show. However, my complaint is that the show was misrepresented to us craft vendors. We paid about $500.00 up front for our spot. I asked how the craft vendor made out at this show and was told that although they didn't have figures, they thought that they all did very well. Not so. 95% of the craft vendors were first time vendors. That tells me that last year, when there was no blizzard, that they didn't do well. If it's a good show for craft vendors, then the show promoter does not need to be out there hunting up new craft vendors to fill the spots each year. I went anticipating $4,000 in sales. I made $80.00 and a lot of crafters sold nothing. In talking to the wine vendors, they did about 25% of last year's sales. Using that as a guide, I would have only sold $320.00 even if there had been perfect weather and a great crowd. The people were not there to see crafts - they were there to sample and buy wine. The craft vendors that set up at this show are just window dressing for the wine vendors. We fill in the empty spaces and make it look good. If the craft vendors did even half way decent at past shows, then there would have been a waiting list for craft vendors to get in. I truly feel that this show was completely misrepresented to all of us craft vendors.
I applaud all of your honesty in how you feel. The fact these scroundrels won't give us our money back on prepaid tickets is obviously an indication of who they are. In doing research I find that Carl and Donna Henrickson and Capital Celebrations or Farm Wineries Council have had many issues in the past and they are just in it for the money and not for people or for the Virginia wine industry in any way.
The fact we had snow was unfortunate... to not issue refunds to vendors who paid $500 and had no sales, employee costs and event expenses means these vendors will never show up again. Eventually the supply of unknowing crafters, vendors and wineries will dry up and these folks will get theirs.
To not issue refunds to all of us who bought ticks in advance means we will all think twice before buying tickets in advance again. This will only hurt other festivals.
I suggest that everyone go with your gut...if you feel cheated then do yoruself a favor and never give them any more of your money. There are plenty of other great wine events being put on by reputable, honest and caring companies. This group is not one of them. Boycott all Farm Wineries Council events. Let your voice be heard through your future purchases.
Signed...out my money and never going to another one of their events again.
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