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Welcome to the 2001 Annual Meeting


President Andy Schilperoort

 

It is a privilege to welcome you to the Washington State Grape Society Seminar for 2001!  Your Board of Directors has worked hard to create a program and trade show that will be informative and interesting.  If you have any suggestions for improving our annual seminar, or topics you would like to see addressed in the future, please speak to me or one of the Board Members.

Thirty years ago this month, a small group of people with an active interest in the grape industry of this region organized what is known as the Washington State Grape Society.  Their purpose was simple: advance, protect, stimulate and assist the grape interests in the State of Washington.  Many things have changed over the years.  Thirty years ago, 40-pound wooden lugs were still being widely used for handpicked grapes, although the mechanical harvester was already gaining a firm toehold.  Thirty years ago, about 10,000 acres were dedicated to grape production.  The total exceeds 50,000 acres now.  Thirty years ago, the only thing available on the web was a meal for a hungry spider.  Today we have instant access to more information on the web than we could even imagine existed thirty years ago.  You are now able to log on to www.grapesociety.org The site is currently active, so check it out.

This year’s program and trade show is the continuation of the effort that began thirty years ago.  It is a pleasure to be associated with the fine group of people who persist in advancing the grape industry in Washington State.  This past year, your board members were:  Craig Bardwell, Ted Clapp, Kevin Corliss, Arthur den Hoed, Marc Freepons, and Jack Watson.  Mike Concienne served as vice-president, Jerry Czebotar as treasurer, and Debbi Heintz as executive secretary.  A special “thank you” to Jack for coordinating the program, Marc for organizing the trade show, and Mike for soliciting the door prizes.  However, much of the credit for the success of the Society must be attributed to Debbi.  She has the unenviable job of keeping the board on task, preventing important details from slipping through the cracks, and performing the behind the scene activities that make the rest of us look like we know what we are doing.  Please give all of these people a “thank you” and a pat on the back for a job well done!

Please take full advantage of this year’s program.  I believe that we must learn from both our individual and collective experiences.  These lessons must be utilized to advance, protect, stimulate and assist the grape interests in the State of Washington.  We must continue to build on the foundation of success that was established many years ago.

Best Regards,

Washington State Grape Society President