Top 10 Reasons to Attend NVEELC 2018

Research has no impact if it isn’t put into practice. So, NGRA is proud to support the efforts of our colleagues in extension and outreach, including their grassroots-organized National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Conference (NVEELC). This year’s event is less than one month away (May 20-22), and registration closes even sooner (May 4). If you work in an extension or outreach role, whether at a university or in a corporate grower relations function, there are at least 10 solid reasons you’ll want to attend:

  1. Washington is the second-largest wine producer in the U.S. and the largest producer of Concord juice grapes. It also is home to one of the most productive state-funded research programs in the country. Hosted by Washington State University (WSU) Viticulture Extension, NVEELC will be held in Prosser, giving attendees tours, tastings and talks for a unique insider’s view of the state’s grape industries, right from its epicenter.
  2. Go behind the scenes at the WSU Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Wine Science Center.The cutting-edge viticulture and enology facilities here are among the best in the world, and you’ll tour it with faculty rockstars.
  3. The Clean Plant Center Northwest in Prosser is one of the premier programs forclean plants in America. Learn from them about available funding sources for clean plant education, and promotional material types that have fueled their success and could be duplicated in your region.
  4. Wildfires across the west brought smoke taint front-and-center for researchers and extension specialists in 2017. WSU’s Dr. Tom Collins, one of the world’s foremost authorities on smoke taint, will share his research on smoke and other environmental taints.
  5. NVEELC is a grassroots event, produced by and for the community of practice. This year’s event chair, Dr. Michelle Moyer, WSU Associate Professor/Viticulture Extension Specialist, created the agenda with input from colleagues, so it’s tailored to the needs and interests of extension and outreach personnel. For the grape industry, there is no other focused opportunity to network with peers, share best-practices and learn from one another.
  6. State and regional reports are at the heart of the annual NVEELC agenda. These structured peer presentations can give you food for thought for improving your outreach efforts to growers, winemakers and producers.
  7. Have a say in when and where NVEELC 2019 takes place. Attend this year and weigh in, or even make your case for hosting the event next year!
  8. Worried about the future of extension and outreach in America? Discuss how the function can be strengthened through more durable funding, tight integration with research and ongoing collaboration with industry.
  9. May is peak season for some of the Pacific Northwest’s iconic cuisine! All meals are included in your NVEELC registration and will include curated menus to show off local, seasonal fare.
  10. NVEELC tickets are only $100. Designed to provide a lot of value for very little of your limited budget, NVEELC is made affordable thanks to the cost-conscious planning of WSU’s Michelle Moyer (shown above, center) and the generosity of event and travel scholarship sponsors California Association of Winegrape Growers, California Table Grape Commission, E. & J. Gallo Winery, G. S. Long Co., J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Oregon Vineyard Supply, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Washington Winegrowers, WSU and NGRA.
Don’t miss your chance to attend NVEELC 2018. Register now before the May 4 cutoff!And consider also attending the co-located Cold-Hardiness Workshop on May 23. It’s an extra day of learning for just $30. (Separate registration is required.)