Geneva Chamber Partners With FL Wine Alliance

The Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce announced today that the chamber has entered into an agreement with the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance for management and administrative services. The Alliance is a group of regional wineries that works to market the Finger Lakes wine brand. The region is becoming better known as a wine producing area worthy of note, and the Alliance was formed to accelerate that process of awareness and improve the market for Finger Lakes wine sales outside the region.Formed three years ago, the alliance represents all the wineries in the Finger Lakes. Support for operations comes from a voluntary levy on wineries, based on case count. There are also wines being especially produced, with proceeds dedicated to supporting the Alliance. The Alliance participates in trade shows and seeks other opportunities to increase awareness of Finger Lakes wines, with the ultimate goal of being known as well as Napa Valley and other recognized wine regions.“This is an excellent relationship for the chamber”, said Rob Gladden, President and CEO of the Geneva Chamber. “To be allied with the fastest growing industry in our area is appropriate for a business organization like ours, and it’s such a pleasure to be involved with the wineries, who help to make our area so enjoyable to live in or visit.” “The partnering of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance with the Geneva Chamber should be mutually beneficial. The Wine Alliance goal of branding the Finger Lakes as a premier wine region is consistent with and synergistic with the Chamber’s activities related to business and tourism. In addition, Geneva is strategically located as a northern gateway to the Finger Lakes wine region. With so many things in common, we see this as a logical partnership that will benefit the entire region,” said Dave Peterson, General Manager, Swedish Hill, Goose Watch & Penguin Bay Wineries and Chairman of Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. The agreement takes effect as of January 1, 2007.The Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce is the premier business organization of the Geneva Area representing over 550 members.