The Vancouver International Wine Festival opened on Monday and is a whirlwind of tastings and events until March 2. We caught up with administrative director Visnja Vukelich and operations manager Trish Metcalfe as they were putting together some of the final details of this years festival.
Trish: As a festival, we organize over 54 events and I am the main contact for more than 30 venues/restaurants throughout the city.
Visnja: I communicate with and help coordinate hundreds of different individuals and organizations to get the wines to the festival.
Trish: Keeping up with the work load especially a month out from the event and ensuring that we are constantly sharing information with all of our stakeholders.
Visnja: Keeping up with my responsibilities.
Trish: Sometimes it isnt fun.
Visnja: Making sure all the wines are in the right place at the right time often means a lot of heavy lifting literally. Administration isnt just about paperwork!
Trish: I try to complete several projects per day rather than panicking over what needs to be completed by event time that can be too overwhelming.
Visnja: Bubbly, bubbly and more bubbly!
Trish: Over 10 years. The Festival has grown over the years. not only in size. I think the public and industrys awareness and participation in the event has never been stronger.
Visnja: In my current role, this is my eighth festival. I previously worked for founding charity, the Playhouse Theatre Company so, Ive been with the festival for over 10 years.
Trish: I think the Wine Festival, in part, is responsible for Vancouvers strong wine culture.
Visnja: The festival reflects the growth of Vancouvers world-class wine culture. It has also supported the development of world-class theatre for 35 years. (This years charitable partner is Bard on the Beach.)
