The Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) and Oregon Pinot Camp (OPC) have hired a new Executive Director to fill the role left by retiring leader Sue Horstmann. Morgen McLaughlin will assume the position on July 24th, taking command of these two key industry associations that have helped establish Oregon’s Willamette Valley as one of the great wine producing regions of the world.
As Executive Director of the WVWA, McLaughlin will orchestrate industry events, collaborate closely with member wineries, be the lead spokesperson of the trade and help publicize its many producers, their unique stories, and most importantly, their wines. She will also oversee OPC, an annual trade-only educational experience drawing influential trade from around the globe.
McLaughlin is the current Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association in California. Previously, she was the President and CEO of Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association, where she led efforts to draw attention to the wines of the New York region.
“I could not be more excited and honored to join the WVWA and the tremendous Oregon wine family it gets to promote,” said McLaughlin. “The growth of the scene has been nothing short of impressive, and I am ecstatic to see the area’s already remarkable reputation only grow in the years to come.”
The WVWA represents more than 230 wineries and tasting rooms spanning the 100-mile valley from Portland to Eugene. Last year, the Willamette Valley was named Wine Region of the Year by revered trade publication Wine Enthusiast. The association’s main objective is the effective marketing and branding of the Willamette Valley as a premier Pinot noir producing region and a destination for exceptional wines and unrivaled tasting experiences. The WVWA has a small in-house staff but relies heavily on the efforts of the industry at large.
“Morgen has impressed all of us with her wealth of experience and tactical expertise suited to raising the profile of Willamette Valley wine,” said WVWA Board Chair and General Manager of the Carlton Winemakers Studio Anthony King. “We look forward to her leadership as we continue to find new ways to tell the world the stories and details of our wines and the people that the association represents.”
About the Willamette Valley Wineries Association
The WVWA is a non-profit industry association dedicated to achieving recognition for Oregon’s acclaimed Willamette Valley as a premier Pinot noir-producing region. Currently, the WVWA has more than 230 members representing wineries and tasting rooms throughout the Willamette Valley region from Portland to Eugene. For more information, please visit www.willamettewines.com, call 503-297-2962, or follow on Twitter & Instagram @wvwines and on Facebook.
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