Thank you for joining our team!

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Juniper George
5 years ago
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We look forward to working with you and hope that you will enjoy being part of this exciting event!

2 Welcome to the 11 th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival presented by the CAA, DeVos Place/SMG and ShowSpan, Inc. Thank you for volunteering; this event would not be what it is today without the dedication and support of the community. We look forward to working with you and hope that you will enjoy being part of this exciting event! Located at DeVos Place, in downtown Grand Rapids, this cultural event draws more than 20,000 public and trade attendees and is the largest culinary celebration in the state (and one of the premiere festivals of its kind in the Midwest). Catering to both the connoisseur who appreciates the finest things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the culinary world, this festival delivers a grand experience that is sure to please every palate and kick off the holiday season. Guests can sample from as many as 1,500 assorted wines, beers, ciders, meads, cordials and spirits including some hard to find, top shelf vintages and many award-winning Michigan wines for tasting; beer from around Michigan, as well as national labels and imports providing tastes of their hand-crafted beverages; distilleries, including many from Michigan; cideries from throughout Michigan, as well as many nationally-known brands along with food pairings, seminars, workshops, and entertainment. The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival is consumer-oriented. It is our goal to make this Festival welcoming and informative for our patrons and exhibitors. You are a vital part in making this happen! We want you to consider yourself a Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival representative to everyone involved: guests/patrons, exhibitors, DeVos & DK Security staff, and your co-workers. As a representative we want you to display professionalism, friendliness, and knowledge about the Festival and an overall excitement about being here! To help you familiarize yourself with the Festival, we have prepared the following information and also included a Festival program for you to read. Please read it before your shift, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. Thank you for joining our team! We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication! If you have any questions, please contact: Erin Welsh, Promotions & Volunteer Coordinator: or erinw@showspan.com

3 VOLUNTEER INFORMATION: IMPORTANT NUMBERS: ShowSpan Corporate Office: best number to use prior to Festival (M-F 8am-5pm) Festival Office: use when Festival is open (starting 11/15) Jean Flynn (cell phone): Festival Office Manager Erin Welsh (cell phone): Promotions & Volunteer Coordinator Check-In: Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your shift and check in and out at your designated room. High School Parent Groups are located in Room C on the street level (map below). The Volunteer Coordinators will take you to your position after the TIPS best practices briefing. Parking: We encourage you to use the various free or low cost parking lots near DeVos Place (see attached map). Event Parking Fee during show hours under DeVos Place is approximately $ Name Credential: You will be given your name credential as you check in for your shift. Your name credential must be worn at all times while you are volunteering. It identifies you as Festival Volunteer to our guests, security, and exhibitors. What to Wear: Black slacks or skirt (NO FADED JEANS OR LEGGINGS) Comfortable shoes (black preferred, but not required) School shirt in presentable condition. If you do not have a school shirt, a sold white long or short sleeve dress shirt. You will receive an apron with the Festival logo on it to wear during your shift. The apron MUST be returned to the Festival Volunteer Office at the end of your shift. Your Volunteer Thursday Tickets: If your group is interested in attending the Festival on THURSDAY, PLEASE indicate on your sign-up who would like to attend. Their tickets may be picked up at Will Call and they will need to present valid ID. Food & Beverage: We will provide bottled water for you. You may not eat or drink at your position. Do not leave your position unattended. If you need a bathroom break, please use the QR code or ask your row supervisor. No alcoholic beverage gifts may be accepted during your shift. Use of Electronics: We do have an app (for Android or iphone) for the Festival and welcome you to download it for free, share it, and encourage our guests to use it. We want you engaged with the Festival, its guests and exhibitors. Refrain from using electronics except when using the app or making specific requests using the QR code form. Injuries/Accidents: ***IMPORTANT**** Before your shift begins, find where the closest security personnel or Festival Staff with a radio is located. If you have a guest who falls and needs help, contact the nearest security guard or Festival Staff. If you need help finding a security guard; contact your nearest Floor Supervisor. When you have notified security; you must also notify the Festival Office immediately using the phone number above or by radio nearest to your location (at the Exhibitor Table, Information Table or your Area Supervisor). Guest Complaints/Comments: If urgent or requires immediate action, tell the Festival Office Manager or direct the guest to the Festival Office. If comment or complaint is not urgent, graciously accept the comment, write it down and give it to the Festival Office Manager. Encourage them to take our Online Patron Survey. The Festival Office Manager will give you Patron Survey Cards and Business Cards to give to any guest you may talk with.

FESTIVAL FACTS: DATES: Thursday-Saturday, November 15-18, 2018 HOURS: Thursday, 3pm-6pm VIP Trade Only Event Thursday, 6pm-9pm Public Hours Friday, 4pm-10pm Saturday, 2pm-10pm LOCATION: DeVos Place,

4 FESTIVAL FACTS: DATES: Thursday-Saturday, November 15-18, 2018 HOURS: Thursday, 3pm-6pm VIP Trade Only Event Thursday, 6pm-9pm Public Hours Friday, 4pm-10pm Saturday, 2pm-10pm LOCATION: DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI ADMISSION**: $15.00+Fees: Online at Ticketmaster in advance thru Thursday until 10pm $15.00 Thursday at the DeVos Place Box Office $20.00 Friday & Saturday at the DeVos Place Box Office $40.00 Multi-Day Ticket (Thursday-Saturday): Only available thru Thursday until 10pm **Attendees must be 21 years old to enter the Festival. Your general Admission Ticket includes: One complimentary sampling glass An official Festival Program containing a detailed list of wines, beers, ciders, spirits and food available for your tasting pleasure All wine, beer & spirits tasting sessions All seminars at the Meijer Food Stage All Hemingway Hall workshops TASTING TICKETS: Tasting Tickets $.50 each The Box Office will offer the option to purchase a package containing admission and tasting tickets in a one-stop-shop. We will continue to offer tasting ticket selling stations throughout the Festival. TASTING SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS: Complimentary with paid admission PAIRINGS: Prices vary per restaurant tickets sold in advance & on-site online through Ticketmaster & at the DeVos Place Box Office Download the App: GR Wine Festival - the Festival s interactive guide and it s available for iphone and Android WEBSITE:

5 Questions You May Encounter From Guests: Why do I need to purchase Tasting Tickets? Tasting Tickets are available for purchase in $0.50 denominations at the Festival. We suggest you start with at least $20 worth as all restaurant and drink samples are purchased with these tickets at various prices. The Tasting Ticket System allows you to select the level of your tasting. The ticket prices are all based on the cost of the beverage. We are proud of the vast array of our beverages and don t want you to have to subsidize the advanced wine samplers. This system encourages the Exhibitors to bring their best and most exclusive brands for you to taste. In an all-inclusive they leave their best at the winery. Also, restaurants offer small plate samples that can be purchased with these Tasting Tickets. Will the Festival sell-out before I get there? There is a set capacity for each area of the Festival, and tickets are sold on a first-come basis. The Festival cannot expand the capacity of any area to accommodate additional guests, but has never had to turn anyone away. Are tickets refundable? Can I switch tickets for another day? All tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. The Festival takes place rain or shine. Can I come back a second day with my ticket? We do offer a 3-Day Pass for $40, this option allows admission each day to the Festival and is intended for those who want to get the most out of their tasting experience. Online sales on Ticketmaster end at 5pm on Thursday, Nov. 16. Box Office sales at DeVos Place for the pass end at 10pm on Thursday, Nov. 16. This is my first time attending, where do I start? We have a Festival Concierge, stop there when you arrive and they would be happy to give you special tips and pointers for a great experience at the largest Wine Festival in the Midwest! We also have a Mobile App Available in both the Android and Apple systems, this free app allows guests to peruse beverage lists (including notes, ratings and personalized lists), workshops/seminars, and restaurant menus and also purchase Download it now and plan your visit, as well as use it to navigate the Festival. What Food is offered at the Festival? Chefs from the more than a dozen of the area s top restaurants prepare and serve small plates of their culinary specialties. There are also other vendors offering gourmet food, specialty items, wine accessories and holiday gifts including chocolates, pastas, cheeses, oils, olives, sauces, mixes, dips and more. Samples of some of these items are available for purchase with Tasting Tickets. Items also may be purchased at the Festival for take home, or orders may be placed for easy delivery. What is a Pairing? Select restaurants partner with distinguished wineries and breweries for special Pairings gourmet multi-course meals served on-site in a casual yet intimate bar top setting. Tickets are $45-$65 each and may be purchased in advance at or at the Festival on a first-come, first-served basis. Each Pairing is limited to a certain number of seats. Do I need an Admission Ticket if I purchase a Pairing Ticket? Yes, the special one hour seated pairing option is an additional ticket. A general admission ticket is still needed to enjoy the other elements of the Festival before and after your restaurant pairing experience. What are the Tasting Sessions and Workshops? Tasting Sessions, hosted by industry representatives, are held classroom-style in the meeting rooms off the Grand Gallery and give attendees an in-depth look into the world of wine, beer and spirits Esteemed individuals from the culinary world host demonstrations on the Meijer Food Stage Workshops hosted by culinary professionals are also offered for a unique hands-on experience Do you need to sign up for the workshops and tasting sessions prior to attending? Workshops and tasting sessions are free with your paid admission. You do not need to sign up or register ahead of time. However, all tasting sessions and workshops are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and fill quickly.

6 Can I stand in the back of the workshop/tasting session if it has filled up? No, our presenters prepare for each workshop/tasting session based upon the seating capacity. We discourage standing in the back because the guests will not have the opportunity to eat and drink along with the rest of the group. Can we buy the Wine, Beer, Ciders, Cordials and Spirits at the Festival? Our Festival License does not permit the purchase of any alcoholic beverages at the Festival to take home with you; however you may place orders at the Festival at some of the Michigan Winey booths OR at the Under the Vines booth in the RendezBREW Café. (The Festival Program also denotes the products carried at Meijer.) Can I attend if I am 18 years old and just not drink? No, you must be at least 21 years old to attend. This is an alcohol related event and all attendees must have a photo ID denoting their age to have entry to the Festival. Volunteers and staff must be at least 18 years old to work this event due to the alcohol served. Where is the Festival Office? Grand Gallery Meeting Room B. Do you have my booth number or where is this booth located? Refer to the Festival Program. See Concierge Desk; they will have an alphabetical listing. What do I do if someone reports something stolen? Direct guests or exhibitors to the nearest DK Security staff, to the Security Office across from the elevators, or to the Festival Office. What do I do if someone reports an accident? Alert the nearest supervisor or DK Security staff. Are wheelchairs available? Yes, there are a few available on a first come, first serve basis. See the Security Office across the hall from the elevators near the Monroe Avenue entrance. Can I bring a baby along? Newborn babies are allowed into the Festival but must be carried at all times. No toddlers or children are permitted. No strollers are permitted. Is there a dress code? There is no enforced dress code; however we do ask you to dress in keeping with the nature of the event. May I smoke? DeVos Place is a non-smoking facility. You may step outside to smoke at the river side of the Grand Gallery. There will be a DK Security person posted there to offer hand stamps for re-entry. Does the Festival benefit any organizations? The pourers for the Festival are the culinary and hospitality students from Ferris State University, the Culinary Institute of Michigan at Baker College in Muskegon, and Grand Valley State University. The Festival makes a sizable donation to each program. This provides the students with an opportunity to work alongside industry leaders for a premier educational experience. Are there any discounts given at area hotels for the Festival? Special Packages have been arranged for the GRAND RAPIDS INTERNATIONAL WINE, BEER & FOOD FESTIVAL through the Amway Grand Hotel Collection which includes: an overnight stay at either the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel ( ) or the J.W. Marriott Grand Rapids ( ); 2 tickets to the Festival; a $25 food voucher which can be used at any of the hotel s restaurants. What do I do if a patron has had too much to drink? Please encourage patrons to be responsible tasters. If a patron has had too much, stop serving them alcoholic beverages, and alert the nearest supervisor. Contact information for transportation/taxi Service is at the Concierge Desk.

7 DIRECTIONS TO DEVOS PLACE 303 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids, MI From the North (Traverse City / Cadillac): U.S. 131 SOUTHBOUND, exit at the Pearl Street Exit (85B) At base of ramp turn LEFT on Pearl Street to first street (Scribner) LEFT on Scribner one block to Bridge Street (which will turn into Michigan Street) RIGHT on Bridge Street / Michigan Street DeVos Place is the first building on the RIGHT over the bridge From the South (Kalamazoo / Battle Creek) U.S. 131 NORTHBOUND to Pearl Street Exit (85B) At base of ramp go STRAIGHT (you are now on Scribner) one block to Bridge Street (which will turn into Michigan Street) RIGHT on Bridge Street / Michigan Street DeVos Place is the first building on the RIGHT over the bridge From East (Lansing / Detroit) I-96 WESTBOUND to the I-196 split (Exit 37 Downtown Grand Rapids/Holland) Follow I-196 to Ottawa Avenue Exit (77C) Take the Michigan Street West Ramp RIGHT on Michigan Street NW LEFT on Monroe Ave NW DeVos Place on your Right From the West (Holland / Benton Harbor / St. Joseph / Chicago) I-196 EASTBOUND to U.S. 131 SOUTHBOUND; stay on the exit for Pearl Street Exit (85B) At base of ramp turn LEFT on Pearl Street to first street (Scribner) LEFT on Scribner one block to Bridge Street (which will turn into Michigan Street) RIGHT on Bridge Street / Michigan Street DeVos Place is the first building on the RIGHT over the bridge From Northwest (Muskegon/Grand Haven) I-96 EASTBOUND to U.S. 131 SOUTHBOUND to Pearl Street Exit (85B) At base of ramp turn LEFT on Pearl Street to first street (Scribner) LEFT on Scribner one block to Bridge Street (which will turn into Michigan Street) RIGHT on Bridge Street / Michigan Street DeVos Place is the first building on the RIGHT over the bridge

8 Parking Map of Downtown Grand Rapids: Thank you for volunteering! We appreciate your hard work and dedication! You help make this Festival possible.

We will assign duties depending on your comfort level and background. In exchange for a shift, Volunteers will receive:

We will assign duties depending on your comfort level and background. In exchange for a shift, Volunteers will receive: VOLUNTEER GUIDE WELCOME TO THE SPOKANE BREWERS FESTIVAL! Spokane Brewers Festival will feature nothing but the best local craft breweries in the region. The Festival will be a craft beer tasting experience