[blue_med]CANVAS Announces 500th Member of Organization of Wine Country Hospitality Professionals[/blue_med]
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Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma Sets Full Schedule of Networking and Educational Events in 2011[/red_med]
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(Yountville, CALIF)—Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma (CANVAS) announced it has topped the 500-member mark just two years after its founding. The organization of hospitality professionals that, uniquely, draws members from both Napa Valley and Sonoma County, has also laid out an ambitious 2011 educational and networking schedule for its members.

Founded in January 2009, CANVAS saw its individual membership pass 500 members in January of this year, including more than 250 businesses as members. CANVAS members include hospitality professionals at wineries, hotels, restaurants and merchants in Napa Valley and Sonoma County, surrounding its extensive membership core of Concierges, limousine drivers and tour operators located in Wine Country and San Francisco.

In July, 2010 CANVAS opened membership in the organization beyond Napa Valley to Sonoma County hospitality professionals who have enthusiastically embraced the organization as an opportunity to network with their colleagues, participate in educational initiatives aimed specifically at their profession, assisting them in playing their key role in directing visitors to Wine Country properties.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH AT CANVAS FAR EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

“We are extremely proud not only of greatly surpassing our membership goals, but also of bringing Napans and Sonomans together inside one organization – a feat not often accomplished,” said Colby Smith, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CANVAS. With 500 members across Napa and Sonoma and with continued growth on the horizon CANVAS is in a position to make a significant impact on the Wine Country hospitality community through critical networking events for members and educational events that provide them with a deep foundation of the visitor options in Wine Country. Colby adds, “To the degree that our entire Hospitality Community is inspired and positioned to go above and beyond for the visitor, we can all be proud that we are making a positive difference in the economy of Wine Country.”

[red_med]Among the activities planned for CANVAS members during 2011 are:[/red_med]
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“Gatekeepers of Wine Country”

Symposium and seminar featuring a panel of Concierges from Napa, Sonoma and San Francisco and a couple of Tour Guides (drivers) discussing trends they see from behind the desk and behind the wheel.

Quick Connect

Like speed dating, participants spend 5 minutes with a colleague they don’t know, learning about them and moving on to the next colleague over the course of an hour.

Research Days

Held monthly, Research Days introduce Concierges from San Francisco, Napa and Sonoma to a collection of properties in a specific region over the course of a daylong excursion.

Appellation Series

Members of CANVAS gather to visit a specific appellation, hosted by wineries, farms, hotels and restaurants and learn about the appellations unique character.

[blue_med]CANVAS maintains a significant database of resource information typically used on a daily basis by its members’, as well as information on the organization and how to join at: https://www.conciergealliance.com.[/blue_med]