For more information, contact:
Lisa Goss, Communications Specialist, 216-916-6134
April 2, 2015 – (Cleveland, OH) – “A good time was had by all,” said Dan Greathouse, vice president for Cleveland Week of Wine and chief marketing officer for Heidelberg Distributing. More than 1,700 tickets were distributed for the CLE WoW Heinen’s/WVIZ Signature events with, a total fundraising income of $139,000.
“We learned a lot,” said Mary Grace Herrington, secretary for Cleveland Week of Wine and chief development officer for ideastream. “Moving the event to the spring – avoiding the fall harvest – allowed more wineries and wine makers to participate in the multiple events throughout the week. With a date change and venue change to allow more space, we hosted 78 wineries, compared to about 50 in years past.”
The CLE WoW board of directors intends to e-survey all patrons and wineries about the experience – from “how did you hear about it?” to the venue, the date, the food and the fun.
“Our intent was to test new concepts this year, and it’s important to ask our patrons what worked and what didn’t work,” explained Ed Thompkins, president of Cleveland Week of Wine and director for wine and beer events at Heinen’s.
Immediate feedback included positive comments on expansion of the week, showcasing the Idea Center and ideastream’s “home,” and a focus on Champagne, as well as enjoying local restaurant foods.
“The seminars at the Grand Tasting drew a larger crowd too; we sold out the Bordeaux seminar and the new Reidel Seminar was a big hit,” said Greathouse.
Several patrons attended multiple signature events, sparking the idea of a “super pass” – an opportunity to buy a packaged ticket that allows entry to all signature events plus one pairing dinner at a local restaurant. CLE WoW is pleased in that 14 local restaurants hosted pairing dinners this year, compared to one last year. The $85-per-person Duckhorn dinner at Press Wine Bar sold out, and the $500-per-person pairing dinner at Edwin’s was a near sell out.
The CLE WoW board of directors is also leaning in to not-so-positive comments, which included the Convention Center is “too big – felt like a trade show.” Some loved the food, with the pierogi and onion chutney being a hit; some didn’t like the food. The date may have been a struggle for some given the overlap with CIFF and NCAA basketball. CLE WoW organizers will include all of these topics in the e-survey to learn more.
Following a spring retreat that includes a full debrief of the activities and outcomes plus a review of e-survey results, CLE WoW organizers will begin to plan spring 2016 Cleveland Week of Wine.
###
ideastream’s mission is to strengthen our communities.
ideastream pursues its mission as a multiple media public service organization by providing distinctive,
thought-provoking programs and services that enlighten, inspire, educate and entertain.