Why do we say ASI is the leading global sommelier organization? It’s a question we are answering every day, thanks to a decades-long track record of organizing world and continental sommelier competitions, as well as our constant efforts to represent tens of thousands of sommeliers in over sixty countries.
As we enter the last quarter of 2018, and following the very successful Pan-American sommelier contest and the ASI annual meeting in Georgia, we are finalizing preparations for our last big event of the year: the fourth edition of the ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Oceania competition, taking place in the gorgeous city of Kyoto on October 15-18.
It is the second time this contest will be hosted by Japan, where the inaugural competition took place in 2009. Twenty-four candidates from twelve countries -Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand – will be competing for the title. The region’s impressive potential for growth is also inspiring ASI’s determination to increase its presence in the area. Promoting sommellerie all over Asia & Oceania is a top priority for us.
On another note, we are taking quite a few steps to maximize the outreach and impact of our communications policy. Our social networks are growing fast, we have now hired a press agent in the USA for the next six months, and while we are still making adjustments and additions, our new www.asi.info webpage is up and running!
Last but not least, we continue working to improve this newsletter and to increase its relevance and readership. In this context, well-known wine writer and journalist Rémy Charest has joined our team as editor and we are moving to its second phase, curating contents, communicating news from ASI members of ASI, and incorporating information from our partners… With a full program of events ahead, 2019 is shaping up to be an intense and exciting year!
Once again, please share your news with us so we can tell the world about it and make this information known in your country. Also, do invite the members of your associations to visit our new website and register to receive the latest ASI news.
¡Salud!
Andrés Rosberg
President
Association de la Sommellerie Internationale