March 17, 2004

Seneca Lake Winery Association Executive Director Barbara Adams just returned from the Annual Michigan Grape & Wine Council meeting at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, Michigan where she presented a "Wine Trail Workshop" outlining areas of success and challenge to the development of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

As part of their annual meeting, fifty-five members of the Michigan wine industry, wine media and Council members attended the presentation that included the Seneca Lake Wine Trail video, handouts on advertising, event and promotion of the Trail.

In Michigan and other developing wine regions, Seneca Lake Wine Trail has become a success story to emulate. The Trail is best known for joint promotion of wineries, efficient administration, and successful fund-raising events. During and after the formal presentation, Barbara was available for questions and discussion on problems and solutions for cooperative organizations such as the Trail she represents. "I know that some of the obstacles to growth of any winery organization have already been faced by Seneca Lake Wine Trail," she says "and can serve as an example to other groups. But I came with the idea that we all have much to teach each other. I wouldn't mind taking home a few new ideas!"

Over lunch, dinner and during breaks in the busy seminar schedule, Ms. Adams exchanged ideas and thoughts as well as tasting wonderful Michigan wines. "One especially great seminar I attended, taught me a few new things to incorporate into our developing website strategy," she declared. "I can't wait to put some of that new knowledge to use. Attending the Annual Michigan Wine Council meeting created even wider wine and organizational synergy between our states." She has also been asked to visit a Pennsylvania wine trail and a group in Missouri.