Amie Hendrickson

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome to a SPC edition #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from #Sommelier Amie Hendrickson @edmondwinegirl on her behind the scenes look at @TEXSOM!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We’d like to introduce you to #Sommelier @edmondwinegirl #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Sommelier @edmondwinegirl to say hello & so she knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: Thank you for the invitation. Happy to talk about @TEXSOM @texsomiwa

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: As we ask @edmondwinegirl our Qs, you can ask #Sommelier Amie Hendrickson your Qs as well! She’ll do her best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: W so many participants lots of gr8 Q's R asked! Even if u dont ask 1--give a S/O 2 @keepercoll & @edmondwinegirl 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Let's start talking #wine and more with @edmondwinegirl on this special edition #SommChat on her behind the scenes look at @TEXSOM #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl What have you done as a volunteer #Sommelier @TEXSOM? What are some things you learned from that experience? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #sommchat Still learning lots from the experience. Best lesson has been community connection and that no matter where you work, community will be there for you.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl What have you done as a volunteer #Sommelier @TEXSOM? What are some things you learned from that experience? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #sommchat Polishing glasses, setting up seminars, doing anything that needs to be done @TEXSOM

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @edmondwinegirl When did you get into the #wine business and why? Have you always been in biz in #OK?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #sommchat I've been in retail in OK for the last 20 years @EdmondWineShop

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how did you first hear abt @TEXSOM Volunteers spots and do they consider only High level #Somms 4 the spots- What skills do you have to have @edmondwinegirl

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #sommchat Learned about @TEXSOM in 2013 and attended then. After that was interested in behind the scenes and meeting people.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl Having been #BEHINDTHESCENES @TEXSOM What do you think makes #TEXSOM such an excellent conference and experience for the industry? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #sommchat So many wonderful experiences behind the scenes. Meet new pros every year and connect with different markets. So many new seminar topics, too @TEXSOM Organizers are working really hard for the community.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl What are the advantages for a #Somm entering the @TEXSOM Best #Sommelier Competition? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #sommchat New states were allowed to compete just recently. We had one Okie compete the first year, while two of us entered last year. Great opportunity to get uncomfortable @TEXSOM

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @edmondwinegirl What did you learn from competing in @TEXSOM Best #Sommelier Competition ?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #sommchat I have felt lucky to be invited and like the opportunity to compete. Encourage others to get involved. There are no advanced somms and only one MS in #OK.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm are you studying 4 @MasterSommUS Certifications and if so do you think entering @TEXSOM Best #sommelier Competition helps and if so how @edmondwinegirl

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat I'm always studying. Not chasing a pin but focus on how to be better at business which of course requires all kinds of education. I was fortunate to attend the advanced course this year and am working toward learning even more... @TEXSOM @MasterSommWW

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat One thing I've learned is to trust your own journey. @TEXSOM @texsomiwa Lean on community.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl what are some examples of volunteer #Sommeliers collaborating @TEXSOM events? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat I think we are always trying to find more ways to promote @TEXSOM @texsomiwa I organize an education event called @wineforumofOK and have invited several somms to speak in seminars

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl You won the @TEXSOM @ProWein social media contest last year. can you tell us more about winning and what it meant? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Taste wines @ProWein you may never see here. Great place to see wines of Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Georgia. You are tasting with the owner in most cases. Truly special experience.

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Impressed by the number of principles from Oregon. I went all the way to Germany to taste an impressive amount of wines from New York. Wine Australia offered over 500 wines, coffee/tea service, and beers at 5. Favorite stop for sure! #wineaustralia

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl Can you share “behindthescenes" Education exposure for the #wine Industry during @TEXSOM? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Setting up a seminar is quite an education in that we taste everything. It's not uncommon for a speaker or other MS/MW to drop by and share some knowledge about the seminar topic, too. @winejames gave an impromptu explanation about malic acid and wines of Santorini

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how many days is @ProWein and where is it held? Would you go again and do you know how much it costs to get a full badge @edmondwinegirl ?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Biggest expense is the airfare. The trade fair is incredibly affordable to attend given all of the learning opportunities. Will build a longer trip around the fair next time. So many iconic producers in one place @ProWein

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Speaking of @texsomiwa @edmondwinegirl You have been a part of the #Sommelier panel at #TEXSOMIWA, can you tell us more about this and what you have learned from being on the panel? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Each year the volume of wines coming in grows. The variety of countries and types of wines is spectacular. Somm Panel sees all of the winners and it's not unusual to see room erupt with cheers when a wine makes it back to our writing room...

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Fortunate to be involved with this from the beginning. Somms from around the country are invited to attend. We write tasting notes for gold medal winners. In addition we have several learning opportunities: seminars, tastings, private tastings with MS or MW @texsomiwa

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl You said you have worked in #wine #retail for over 20 years, What are the biggest changes you have seen? What are the changes you want to see? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Big changes coming to #OK October 1st. I have seen lots of change in my time here. Grateful to work for Vance Gregory @EdmondWineShop who has seen everything! Lots of wisdom. Most are surprised to know about our wine selection in #OK.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl Tell us about the #hospitality Suites @TEXSOM? Do the volunteer #somms get to attend any of these as well? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Volunteers are def a part of hospitality suites. We set up/breakdown and help amazing sponsors. It's a valuable connection @TEXSOM

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm Is there a language barrier @ProWein for #US industry attendees since there are so many #wines featured from other countries @edmondwinegirl

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat No language barrier I experienced. Had zero problems communicating. Wine overcomes most barriers! Producers are thrilled to pour their wines for you @ProWein

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @keepercoll - If one would prefer his/her first wine job to be in retail as opposed to on restaurant floor (like, umm, me), would you learn more in a small boutique store or mega-shop? - #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat I think you have to consider what your goals are for your career. Lots to learn in many places. Just got to get in there and give it a go. Try everything if you like. Why not? I have always loved retail and the connection with consumers @EdmondWineShop

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @edmondwinegirl what is a typical week of work for you as #GM of @EdmondWineShop ?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Well, I have three jobs right now. Lol. I think managing a business is complex and to define on twitter is pretty hard. I find a lot of people in our industry are working lots of projects in addition to main job. Trying to find balance always...

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @edmondwinegirl what is a typical week of work for you as #GM of @EdmondWineShop ?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Of course buying, managing and helping employees, making great experiences for customers @EdmondWineShop My work week seems to change every day in that there is always something going on. We are in the middle of a construction project right now, too.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm from being @TEXSOM what would you say @edmondwinegirl that you have learned from #somms outside of #OK that you brought back to you job?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Everyone is focused on how to be better at business, and there are lots of ideas that I've been able to bring here that have tremendous value. Different ways of looking at situations and having a bigger picture helps you not sweat the small stuff so much...

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Still working on that of course, but there are lots of times a conversation with someone from another market has helped to put my situation in better perspective. Also love all of the ideas for education topics and better ways to connect with consumers.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @edmondwinegirl Do you know how an industry person can apply to be a volunteer for either @TEXSOM or @texsomiwa ? How many days do you usually work at the events?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Volunteer applications for @TEXSOM are available on the website. I'm an "all in" volunteer and work pretty much the entire time. This year many applied and didn't make it. Sheer volume of applications is amazing. @texsomiwa is an invitation only event

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@edmondwinegirl What is a piece of advice you can give people wanting to be a volunteer #sommelier @TEXSOM? #SommChat

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Apply of course! Also, you get a better experience if you can commit to several days. Lots going on and many people to meet. There's so much value in everything behind the scenes. I look forward to volunteering for this reason. Hard work...

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Many use vacation time to work this hard for a reason. I think it shows value and impact of experience @TEXSOM

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm besides tasting #wine @TEXSOM what other things do volunteer #Somms learn about #wine @edmondwinegirl ?

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat The Somm Lounge is a great place to do a deeper dive on specific regions @TEXSOM Sponsors offer wonderful maps and information along with tasting. I think tasting is a small portion of what we do behind the scenes. You are learning to work with complete strangers...

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Many who volunteer are leaders in their organizations back home. You learn how to be a better follower @TEXSOM which is a great learning experience to take home.

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Please join us in thanking Volunteer #Sommelier Amie Hendrickson @edmondwinegirl for her time on #SommChat today to tell us about @TEXSOM

Amie Hendrickson @EdmondWineGirl: #SommChat Thank you so much for having me! That went really fast. Loved to talk about @TEXSOM @texsomiwa @ProWein and the value these experiences have added to my life. Love what you do @keepercoll