Sponsorship Opportunities

2008 TEXAS SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION
TEXSOM CONFERENCE
August 17-18th, 2008
Four Seasons Hotel, Austin

Background & History
The Texas Sommelier Conference was created to address the growing need for continuing education of wine professionals, educators, and enthusiasts throughout the state. Now in its fourth year, it is one of the definitive wine events in Texas and a unique event in the United States.

The conference was spearheaded in 2004 by industry professionals and charitable leaders in the Texas wine community. Drew Hendricks MS, Wine Director at Charlie Palmer at the Joule, and James Tidwell, sommelier at Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas, created the conference as a means not only to provide quality education but also to unite the Texas wine community.

The mission of the conference is to develop Texas sommeliers and other wine professionals/ aficionados through seminars, tastings, and professional standards examinations. Objectives include:

  • providing quality continuing education for both sommeliers and the general public,
  • building and enhancing relationships within the Texas wine industry,
  • creating greater media and public awareness regarding standards and certifications for wine professionals.

The conference is led by some of the most renowned wine experts in the country. In addition to lectures and seminars, the conference hosts the statewide Texas’ Best Sommelier competition. Texas’ Best Sommelier is announced at the grand tasting and awards ceremony on Monday night.

The sommelier competition is limited to 25 candidates, with the winner receiving the exclusive title of Texas Best Sommelier and a scholarship to attend courses/examinations with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Finalists are evaluated by a panel of nationally recognized Master Sommeliers.

Since its inception in 2005, more than 500 wine professionals have participated in the program and 75 sommeliers have participated in the competition offered at the conference.
Speakers include the most prestigious levels of wine educators -- Master Sommeliers (MS), Masters of Wine (MW), Certified Wine Educators (CWE), and other world-recognized wine educators. A heavyweight lineup has already confirmed for the 2008 conference:  Fred Dame MS, President of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation; Greg Harrington MS, who has developed wine lists for Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse; Guy Stout MS, Education Director at Glazer’s Distributors; Robin Kelly O’Connor CWE, former President of the Society of Wine Educators; Keith Goldston MS; Reggie Narito, MS; Larry O’Brien, MS, and Charles Curtis MW.

In addition to attracting a sold-out crowd, previous conferences were prominently featured in media outlets throughout the state including:

  • News 8 Austin (television and website) August 20, 2007
  • Austin American-Stateman
    “Food Matters” August 1, 2007
  • Austin Chronicle (print)
    “Rub Elbows with Really Smart Wine People” August 10, 2007
  • Austin Chronicle (print)
    “Austinites Sweep Texas Sommelier Competition” September 8, 2006
  • Fort-Worth Business Press
    “Wine-sales booster conference slated for Four Seasons Irving” May 22, 2006
  • Dallas Observer
    “Birding Barcelona” September 7, 2006
  • Plate & Vine
    “The Degustateer and the Samurai Sommelier” Fall 2006
  • Fort-Worth Star Telegram
    “Texas to uncork gathering of sommeliers” June 14, 2006
  • Sante Magazine
    “Texas Wine Education Two-Step” October 2006
  • D Magazine, Best of Big D Issue
    “Serious Winos” August 2006.

2008 Texas Sommelier Conference Highlights

The 2008 Texas Sommelier Conference is a two-day event featuring educational seminars for both wine professionals and the public. In addition to the seminars and lectures, a three-part competition (tasting, service and theory) is held for aspiring sommeliers to identify “Texas Best Sommelier”.

The five in-depth educational sessions on the first day explore specific wine regions in detail. First-day sessions (fee required) are open to the general public as well as media and wine professionals. Second-day programs (complimentary with registration) are reserved for wine professionals and media representatives. Topics covered include contemporary issues in wine and other items of interest to Texas wine professionals.

The competition portion of the conference will take place on the first day. It is limited to 25 Texas candidates who will be evaluated by a panel of nationally recognized Master Sommeliers. The highest scoring candidate is named “Texas Best Sommelier” for that year and receives a scholarship to attend the Introductory Sommelier Course, Certified Sommelier Exam, or Advanced Sommelier Course of the Court of Master Sommeliers.
There will be at minimum, eight Master Sommeliers judging the 2008 competition and presenting educational seminars. There will also be Masters of Wine, Certified Wine Educators and Directors of the Society of Wine Educators presenting seminars. Currently, the seminar schedule and speaker roster are being finalized. For up-to-date information, please refer to www.texsom.com.

TEXSOM 2008 -  Sponsorship Levels*

The Texas Sommelier Association is seeking cash sponsorships and in-kind contributions to support the TEXSOM Conference. Sponsorship benefits include exposure to state and national media outlets through the Texas Sommelier Association and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, a partner of the conference and statewide charitable Foundation. Exposure also includes a targeted consumer base of over 7,000 wine/food enthusiasts and professionals throughout the state.

Become a ‘Bon Appetit’ Conference Meal Host

Sign up to be an exclusive host for a conference luncheon. This unique opportunity is an effective, high-profile way in which to showcase your business or company. These sponsorships are exclusive and sold on a first-come, first serve basis. Sponsors receive acknowledgement at the meal event through prominent banner signage and have opportunities for guest giveaways or marketing materials at the meal.

Cost: $3,000 plus wine donation.

 

Platinum Level Sponsorship ($10,000 plus wine donation)
– BEST VALUE

Sponsor Benefits:

  • Sponsor wines featured in blind tasting sessions
  • One six foot sponsor display table located in lobby throughout the conference
  • Opportunity to provide gifts and/or promotional materials to media and conference guests (upon approval by the Texas Sommelier Association)
  • Company name and logo included on all collateral materials including, but not limited to:
    • Event Banner (main entrance of conference)
    • Signage prominently displayed at conference and also at the consumer event (Grand Tasting)
    • Company logo & link on Texas Sommelier Association and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ website – for the period of one year 
    • Official conference program – one full page ad
    • Press kits and other press materials
  • Live acknowledgement from podium twice per day and also at the Grand Tasting consumer event.
  • Four complimentary passes to entire conference, including Grand Tasting
  • Two complimentary guest nights at the Four Seasons Hotel

Gold Level Sponsorship ($5,000 plus wine donation)
Sponsor Benefits:

  • Your company name and logo featured throughout the conference including company name and logo on invitations, media/marketing materials, signage, website and event program.
  • Sponsor wines included in blind tasting sessions (with optional wine donation).
  • One half-table (3 ft.) display space located in lobby throughout the conference
  • Opportunity to provide one brochure to media and conference guests, not including consumer Grand Tasting event (upon approval by the Texas Sommelier Association)
  • Company name and logo included on all collateral materials including, but not limited to:
    • Event Banner (main entrance of conference)
    • Signage prominently displayed at conference and also at the consumer event (Grand Tasting)
    • Company logo and link on Texas Sommelier Association and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ website – for the promotion and duration of the conference 
    • Official conference program – one ½  page ad
    • Press kits and other press materials
  • Live acknowledgement from podium once per day
  • Three complimentary passes to entire conference, including Grand Tasting

Silver Level Sponsorship ($2,500 plus wine donation)
(Sponsorship of an individual presenter)
Sponsor Benefits:

  • Company name and logo included on all collateral materials including, but not limited to:
    • Signage prominently displayed at conference and also at the consumer event (Grand Tasting)
    • Company logo on Texas Sommelier Association and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ website – for the promotion and duration of the conference 
    • Company name & logo included prominently in event program
    • Company name mentioned in all press kits and other press materials
  • Live acknowledgement from podium by the individual presenter during that presenter’s session
  • Two complimentary passes to entire conference, including Grand Tasting

Bronze Level Sponsorship ($1,500 plus wine donation)
(Sponsorship of table at the Grand Tasting)
            Sponsor Benefits:

  • Company name and logo included on:
    • Signage prominently displayed at conference and also at the consumer event (Grand Tasting)
    • Company name listed on Texas Sommelier Association and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ website – for the promotion and duration of the conference 
    • Company name & logo included in event program
    • Company name mentioned in all press kits and other press materials
  • One complimentary pass to entire conference, including Grand Tasting

*Sponsorship benefits options are negotiable based on the support received and are subject to change without notice.

Previous conference SPONSORS

Platinum
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
Four Seasons Resort and Club (includes in-kind donation)
American Airlines
Glazers Distributors
Republic National Distributing Company
Turn Key Events
Whole Foods Market

Gold
Guild of Sommelier Education Foundation
Panna & San Pellegrino
Foster’s Americas
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (includes in-kind donation)
Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau

Silver
Banfi Vintners
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Il Paese
International Wine Center
J Vineyards and Winery
Old Bridge Cellars
The Salt Lick Barbecue Restaurant
Sopexa
Veritas
Vine Connections

Bronze
Alexander Valley Vineyards
Amuse Bouche
Broadbent Selections
Crawford Malone
Frederick Wildman and Sons
Grgich Hills Estate
Hanzell
Inwood Estates
Iron Horse
Lambert Bridge
Lucienne
Matanzas Creek
San Francisco Wine Exchange
Society of Wine Educators
Stacole Fine Wines
Treana
W.J. Deutsch and Sons
Vineyard Brands
Oriel Wines
Revana Family Vineyards
Kiepersol
The Cultured Cup
Wines from Spain

Sponsorship Contacts:

Contacts:                James Tidwell, CWE and Drew Hendricks
Organization:         Texas Sommelier Association
Address:                 3004 Commerce Street
                                  Dallas, TX 75226

Phone:                     James  214-287-5050
                                  Drew  972-859-9633

Fax:                          972-717-2550  ATTN: James Tidwell

Email Address:  info@texsom.com
Website Address:  www.texsom.com