March is Women’s History Month. In celebration, the alcohol beverage industry’s top female influencers from around the world reveal their approach to success in one of the most male-dominated industries. This record-breaking gathering takes place at the Third Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium, March 13-15, held at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa, California.

The history-making roster of speakers includes the alcohol beverage industry’s most sought-after motivators, entrepreneurs, and experts from across the globe. From France, Margareth Henriquez, president & CEO, Krug Maison de Champagne; from South Africa, Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, CEO & founder, House of Mandela; from Argentina, Susana Balbo, founder & owner, Susana Balbo Wines; from Italy, Marilisa Allegrini, CEO, Allegrini Estates; and from Australia, Dianne Laurance, founder, Laurance Wines. Other notable influencers include Gina Gallo, senior director of winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Stephanie J. Macleod, master blender, John Dewar & Son’s Ltd.; Annette Alvarez-Peters, AIWS, CWE, Asst. VP, GMM, beverage alcohol, Costco Wholesale; Victoria MacRae-Samuels, VP, operations, Maker’s Mark Distillery; Elizabeth McCall, CSS, Woodford Reserve master taster & Sr. quality control specialist, Brown-Forman; Caley Shoemaker, head distiller, Hangar 1 Vodka, Proximo; and Béatrice Cointreau, owner & CEO ADMIRABLE Family Vineyards, Malibu.

Special Guest Speaker, Co-founder and executive director of the National Women’s History Project and organizer of the first-ever Women’s History Week in the nation, Molly Murphy MacGregor, will join Women of the Vine & Spirits founder & president, Deborah Brenner on stage to kick-off the three-day event.

“With the faith of the wine and spirits industry behind her, Deborah Brenner has sparked a revolution with Women of the Vine & Spirits and the Global Symposium,” says co-owner, trade and brand advocate, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Cynthia Lohr. “We have the opportunity to continue the passionate dialogue that supports the advancement of women in the wine and spirits industries through networking, mentorship, by fostering leadership groups within companies and organizations, and by inviting all stakeholders to the table to seize and leverage the influence of female executives in alcohol beverage industry.”

According to Nielsen (nielsen.com) research, women account for 57% of wine volume in the U.S. and Fred Minnick, author of Whiskey Women claims women represent 37% of whiskey imbibers in the U.S. In fact, women account for 85% of all consumer purchases, controlling $4.3 trillion of the $5.9 trillion in annual consumer spending (Source: Nielsen 2013).

“Women are an increasingly important force in driving trends and alcohol sales,” says Brenner. “Therefore, it makes perfect sense that the industry has so much to gain from more diversity.  Having more women in leadership roles drives innovation and creativity which directly impacts the bottom line. Women of the Vine & Spirits is committed to the advancement of women and ensuring the next generation is being mentored to take leadership roles. We have started a movement - a revolution - and together, we can change the face of the alcohol beverage industry.”

The Third Annual Women of the Vine & Spirits Global Symposium is sold out, but tickets are available to purchase Livestream/On-Demand access to view the Symposium’s most sought-after keynote speakers and presenters. Visit womenofthevine.com for more information and to purchase your tickets.