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Schedule

Welcome to the 13th annual Southeastern United Grape and Wine symposium.

Symposium Schedule

Thursday, November 20th, 2025

Time: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

  • 8:00 AM

    Guest Sign-In and Registration, Grand Hall

  • 8:30 AM

    Vendor Display Floor Opens, Grand Hall

  • 9:00 AM

    Symposium Welcome, Grand Hall

    Dr. David Shockley | President, Surry Community College

    Surry Community College’s president will welcome attendees and kick off the start of the symposium.

  • 9:15 AM

    Speaker One, Grand Hall

    Paul Wagner | Instructor, Viticulture and Winery Technology Department - Napa Valley College

    Facts Tell; Stories Sell

    When it comes to wine, the stories you tell and how well you deliver them might make the difference between success and failure in the wine industry. Paul Wagner has led multiple workshops and advised some of the world's top wine companies on how to use storytelling to elevate consumer experiences. In his session, Paul will lead us through the steps to put together an engaging sales presentation—and promises to tell quite a few memorable stories along the way!

  • 10:30 AM

    Vendor Break, Grand Hall

  • 11:00 AM

    Speaker Two, Grand Hall

    Jodi Songer Driedger | Director of Undergraduate Programs for North Carolina State University's Horticultural Science Department

  • 12:15 PM

    Lunch, Grand Hall

  • 1:30 PM

    Speaker Three, Grand Hall

  • 2:45 PM

    Vendor Break, Grand Hall

  • 3:00 PM

    Educational Breakout Session

    Nicole Chesney | Executive Director of the NC Wine & Grape Council

    Nicole will share strategies for building a marketing plan that highlights North Carolina wine. She will examine how the region’s unique story—rooted in southern hospitality yet open to global influences—can position local wineries for growth and distinction.

    Jay Cummins | Representative for Waterloo Container

    This session will explore how closure choices impact wine style and consumer perception. Jay will discuss the technical role closures play in protecting and shaping the wine, and how wineries can connect those decisions to storytelling that resonates with consumers.

  • 4:15 PM

    Networking, Winery

    Featuring Surry Cellars Wine

    Join us for a special networking session to engage with other members of the Southeastern Wine Industry to share ideas, wine, and build valuable connections. This event will be held in the Teaching Winery within the SBVE building and will feature wines made by the students at Surry Community College poured by faculty and staff. Join us for a valuable peer to peer experience.

  • 5:00 PM

    Grand Wine Tasting, Grand Hall

    5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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