Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/7240
10 / the tasting panel / march 2010 T he Culinary Institute of America (CIA) has created a new wine and beverage certifi cate program that will launch in September 2010 at Greystone, the school's Napa Valley campus. The Ac- celerated Wine and Beverage Certifi cate Program (AWBP) will advance a student's profes- sional skills in the wine and beverage sector. "A deep understanding of wine, beer, spirits—even cof- fee and tea—is vital to career success in the foodservice and hospitality fi elds," says Adam Busby, CMC and Director of Education at CIA Greystone. Food and beverage pairing, service and hospitality are major components of the eight-month curriculum. "AWBP students will graduate with a wine and bever- age education on par with those skills learned by the CIA's culinary students," notes Busby. Program enrollees must have a bachelor's or associate degree in hospitality manage- ment, culinary arts management or a re- lated fi eld, or have a bachelor's degree in another discipline as well as relevant food and beverage industry experience. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. For more information about the AWBP, visit www.ciapro- chef.com/winecertifi cate or call 1-800-CULINARY. INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT A Beverage Education Calendar "Bordeaux: From Barrel to Bottle" Tastings of Today's Bordeaux and Bor- deaux Futures presented by the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux and Cercle Rive Droite de Grands Vins de Bordeaux. Monday, March 8, Los Angeles Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Wednesday, March 10, Chicago River East Art Center 435 E. Illinois St. Thursday, March 11, New York City Tribeca Rooftop 2 Desbrosses St. All events begin with a Press Preview from 1–2 p.m. followed by Trade Pre- view from 2– 5 p.m. This event is for trade professionals and accredited press only. To RSVP, please visit www.Sopex- aUSAevents.com. San Diego Spirits Festival 2010 June 5–7 Details to be announced. For com- plete information, visit www.letsplay- downtown.com/spirits. The 30-week Accelerated Wine & Bever- age Certifi cate Program at the CIA will position graduates to pursue careers in the food and beverage industry. Wrap-Up: U.S. Drinks Conference 2009 N early 150 wine, spirits and beer professionals from around the world attended the U.S. Drinks Conference in New York, October 13–14, 2009. Previously held in London, the conference, in its third year, focused on entry to and regulations of the U.S. market, as well as industry trends, marketing opportunities and challenges. Seven panels covered the wine, spirits and beer categories, with top- ics ranging from on- and off-premise partnerships, launch and brand- building strategies and, for the fi rst time, a special focus on social media marketing. The panelists included presidents of start-up brands and new beverage "think tanks," and offi cers from established companies such as Sherry-Lehmann, Winebow and Pernod Ricard USA. The conference was organized by Brand Action Team, MHW, Ltd. and Next Level Marketing. The 2010 U.S. Drinks Conference will be held October 12–13 in New York City. —Lana Bortolot www.usdrinksconference.com Je≠ Grindrod, Managing Partner of Brand Action Team, moderates the Distributor Panel discussion with John Malone (middle) of Genesis Brands Division and Bruce Levine from The Charmer Sunbelt Group.