Kelsey BalensiferEvent Coordinator, Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce

QUIZ: What do you do with approximately 140 open bottles of wine?

OPTIONS:A) Drink them!B) Throw them out.C) Give them away.D) Turn them into an event!

ANSWER: D) TURN THEM INTO AN EVENT!!

So where did we get all that wine, anyway?

Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine FestivalNow in its 35th year, our festival attracts 16,000 to 18,000 attendees who want to enjoy the bounty of the Oregon Coast, including seafood, arts & crafts, live music, beer and, of course, WINE.

Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival

Of our 175 vendors, roughly 55 are wineries each year.

Each of those wineries has the opportunity to enter their wine into our festival wine competition.

Our judges taste all the wines in our blind wine competition. But they only taste about 5 oz. of each

roughly 25 oz. bottle.

Hence…“UnWined” was created.

2013 – The first UnWined event

• President’s Day (Monday, Feb. 18)

• 2-hour event• $25 ticket (5 wine tastes,

glass, appetizers)• Only about 30 attendees

Initial Challenges

• Switching venues mid-day

• Quality and quantity of food

• Investment in supplies

• Layout

Growth & Changes

• One venue for wine competition & UnWined event

• Two rooms – McTavish Room & Paulson Pavilion

• First Saturday in March• 150-160 attendees

Increasing Value

• $35 ticket (10 wine tastes, glass, appetizers)

• 2.5-hour event• Live music in each room

Increasing Value

• Increase in catering budget – 340%

• More interaction with judges

• People’s Choice Award• Raffle for festival tickets

Volunteer Perks

• Attending UnWined

• Taking home open bottles of wine & wine glasses

• Food!

Any sealed bottles of wine are saved for future fundraising efforts or donated to area nonprofits in gift baskets.

Thanks for listening!Any questions?

(P.S. PRIZES)