Future Leaders 17 Calling on Wine Buyers and Sommeliers

Applications are now open for Future Leaders 17, the professional and personal development program that pushes for innovation, collaboration and change in the Australian wine sector. Funded by Australian Vignerons, Wine Australia and Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, the program aids the Australian wine community in preparing for the challenges of the future by building the capabilities of its next generation.

Interested wine buyers and sommeliers are encouraged to apply, with the opportunity hear from industry's best speakers, network with others from the grape and wine community, and meet Future Leaders alumni.

The past decade has seen 91 Future Leaders join the alumni, including Future Leaders 15 alum, sommelier Samantha Payne.

Commercial Director at Lallemand Jason Amos, also an alum of Future Leaders 15, described the program as an “investment in yourself and the sector as a whole.”

“It’s a unique opportunity to learn and understand the dynamics, the people and skills which make up our Australian grape and wine community,” said Amos.

“Participating in the Future Leaders program gave me the tools to effectively manage change, conflict and diversity beyond my normal day to day role.”

This year, Future Leaders has re-aligned with Pragmatic Thinking to explore new avenues in business, marketing, governance and global economics, taking a look at new technologies, means of innovation and contemporary approaches to people development and commercial success. Anne Duncan, Global Knowledge and People Development Manager at Wine Australia, will be overseeing the 2017 program.

“The international and domestic wine markets are highly competitive and that’s not going to change. To ensure our sector’s future success we need the next generation of leaders to be ready to take us forward,” said Duncan.

“We need leaders who can be catalysts for innovation, who can adapt to the inevitable changes that our sector will face in the future, and who can drive the continual evolution of the Australian wine story, be they winemakers, grapegrowers, export managers or researchers.”

Those interested can apply at www.winefutureleaders.com, applications will close on Monday 9 March 2017.

You may also be interested in Meet the Makers: New Zealand’s Award-Winning Wineries