In 2019, a group of senior tech executives gathered at the NoMad Los Angeles hotel for a four-course dinner. A Master of Wine blind-poured a pairing with each dish. Guests used the time between bites and sips to network. At the end of the repast, patrons took a pop quiz, vying to be crowned Chief Wine Officer (CWO).
Organized by Chief Nation, the event was one of 80 held throughout the U.S. and Europe in Michelin-starred restaurants, five-star hotels and member clubs. The business networking specialist sought to create “an evening of networking and industry discussion alongside a premium wine-tasting experience,” says Laura Porter, managing director of Chief Nation.
When the pandemic hit, the firm went virtual, as did many members of the wine industry, from marketers, writers and educators, to entrepreneurs, festival organizers and people planning holiday parties.
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