2025 Annual Meeting

General Session*
SUNDAY, MARCH 9

Health Benefits of Vinegar

Carol Johnston, Ph.D., R.D.‎
Arizona State University

Economic & Labor Market Update – What to Expect in 2025 and Beyond

Alex Chausovsky
The Bundy Group  ‎

General Session*
TUESDAY, MARCH 11

Chair’s Address

Walter Nicolau
VI Chair of the Board
Classic Wine Vinegar Company

Tracking Trends that Matter

Todd Hale
Todd Hale. LLC

Changes

Tom Bailey
RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness 

‎*Presentation titles and speakers are subject to change.‎

Hotel Information

At Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, the Atlantic Ocean is steps away, while innovative outdoor shopping and dining are just beyond the front door. Recently renovated with Art Deco charisma, this boutique hotel has grown up beautifully. From private pool cabanas to bright and airy accommodations to curated DAYLIFE activities that inspire your playful side. Enjoy a craft cocktail at The Social Club or dine beneath the stars at High Tide Beach Bar and Grill, ocean waves soundtrack included. 

For more information, Visit Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. 

Hotel Reservations

To make online reservations, click here.  You may also call 800.994.6103.  Please identify yourself as a part of “VI”.  Accommodation is available to The Vinegar Institute at the special Group rate of $299 during the week and $399 during the weekend, for a blended rate of $349 a night.  You will note that there is also a resort fee of $49, but this fee will be waived for VI attendees upon check-in. If not waived, please contact VI staff. Reserve your room by Thursday, February 13, 2025. Rooms available on a first come, first served basis.  Once the block is full, rooms and room rates are based on availability. 

It is essential to identify yourself as part of the “Vinegar Institute” group so that you will be placed in ‎the Vinegar Institute room block. Booking within the “Vinegar Institute” group room block is ‎extremely important because the Vinegar Institute, on behalf of the members, has committed ‎revenue to the hotel for a specified number of hotel rooms. We appreciate your willingness to assist ‎us in avoiding unnecessary penalties by booking at the meeting hotel and identifying yourself as part ‎of the “Vinegar Institute” group when making your reservation.‎

The room rate is $299/$399 per night, single or double occupancy. All rooms are subject to 14% state and local taxes. Room reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. The credit card will not be charged until the guest checks out of the hotel. Cancellations and changes must be made directly with the hotel up to 48 hours prior to arrival date to avoid penalties. Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and check-out is 11:00 a.m.  

Meeting Registration

The entire cost of the Annual Meeting is underwritten by the participants — no portion of Association dues is allocated for Annual Meeting expenses. The registration fee includes speakers’ expenses, audio/visual equipment, entertainment, decor, stationery and printing costs for programs, website development, staff travel, and all office costs incurred in planning and coordinating the Annual Meeting.   

All registrations must be completed online and will not be processed without payment. Registration fees are refundable through January 21, 2025, with a $100 processing fee. After January 21, 2025, cancellation fees increase to $500 and become non-refundable after February 20, 2025. For your convenience, VI accepts American Express, Visa and MasterCard. Checks are also accepted.    

Please remember to register for the Meeting at the same time you make your hotel reservations.  

To access online registration, register here.

(Please register by January 16, 2025, to qualify for advance registration fees.)

Advance Registration Fees before January 16, 2025:

• Member ‎$1,695‎
• Non-Member*
  • Manufacturer/Bottler ‎ ‎ $1,795‎
  • Supplier ‎ ‎ $1,995
• Spouse/Companion ‎ ‎$400‎
• Children (8 – 18 years) $100‎

After January 16, 2025:

• Member ‎$1,795‎
• Non-Member* ‎
  • Manufacturer/Bottler ‎ ‎$1,895‎
  • Supplier ‎$2,095‎
• Spouse/Companion $400‎
• Children (8 – 18 years) $100‎

‎*Non-member companies may attend one Meeting to become familiar with the Institute. The ‎difference between member and non-member registration fees is applicable to dues if ‎received within ninety (90) days from the date of the end of the Meeting.‎

Since The Vinegar Institute must make firm financial commitments based on indicated attendance well in advance of the Meeting, we ask that you complete the online registration form on the website at your earliest convenience.

Topgolf Sponsorships

For those unfamiliar, Topgolf is a fun, high-tech activity where players hit microchipped golf balls toward targets on the ground, earning points based on accuracy and distance. As a high-tech version of miniature golf, Topgolf is suitable for all skill levels, with interactive games and real-time tracking of your shots. Golf clubs are provided so players can travel light, and relax with an outstanding food and beverage menu, climate-controlled hitting bays, and music.  Check out the video HERE to learn more!  

Promote your company at this event with partial level digital bay ads.  This is a fantastic way to give your company special recognition and to help create a memorable game at Topgolf!  The cost for sponsorship is $250 per member.  There is a maximum of 10 sponsorships allowed. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form if you’d like to take advantage of this great opportunity!  You will receive other special recognition as noted below. 

Meeting Sponsorships    

All members will have the opportunity to contribute any dollar amount toward the Meeting. Since the entire cost of the Annual Meeting is underwritten by the participants, your support will enable VI to continue to maintain registration fees at an affordable rate, obtain the best speakers possible and plan for a memorable Monday night event!  Remember, no amount is too small, and all contributions will be used to create the very best meeting possible!  Please check the appropriate box on the registration form if you would like to become a meeting sponsor. 

Sponsorship Recognition           

As a Topgolf or Meeting sponsor, your company will receive special recognition prior to the Annual Meeting in the program, on posted signs throughout the Meeting and at the podium during the Meeting. You will receive a “Sponsor” ribbon at the Meeting and be recognized in the Annual Meeting wrap-up, which is sent to all members and housed on the VI website!   

Transportation to the Kimpton Surfcomber

The address of the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel is: 

1717 Collins Avenue 

Miami Beach, FL 33139 

The general phone number is 305.532.7715   

From Miami International Airport (MIA): (12.9 miles/20 minutes) 

• Start out going West on NW 21st ST. 

• Take the Valet Parking ramp toward Airport Exit/Arrivals/Departures. 

• Turn right onto Perimeter Rd. 

• Turn slight right toward Airport Exit/Rental Car Return/Cell Phone Lot 

• Turn slight right onto NW 20th ST. 

• Turn slight right toward Airport Exit/Rental Car Return 

• Stay straight to go onto NW 21st ST. 

• Take the ramp toward south Le Jeune/SR-836 W/Coral Gables. 

• Take the SR-953 S/Le Jeune Rd. ramp toward Coral Gables/SR-836-TOLL. 

• Take the SR-953 S/Le Jeune Rd. ramp toward SR-836 E. 

• Turn slight right onto NW 42nd Ave/N Le Jeune Rd/SR-953 S. 

• Merge onto SR-836 E toward Downtown (Portions toll). 

• Keep left at the fork to go on SR-836 E/Dolphin Expy (Portions toll). 

• Stay stright to go onto I-395 E. 

• I-395 E becomes SR-A1A N. 

• Turn left onto SR-A1A/Collins Ave. (SR-A1A is just past Collins Ct.) 

• Kimpton Surfcomber is just past 17th ST. on the right at 1717 Collins Ave. 

• If you reach 18th St. you’ve gone a little too far. 

For MIA ground transportation information, click here.  

While a little further away, you can also fly into Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (28.4 miles). 

Valet parking at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel is $52 per car, per night. Daily parking is also available for up to six hours. Daily parking fees vary by day of the week. 

WHAT TO PACK 

The average high temperature in March in Miami is 80°F, and the average low is 64°F.     

Casual dress is acceptable at the Meeting functions. The attire for the Saturday and Sunday receptions is resort casual or business dress, depending on your dinner plans for those evenings.  

• Pick up your badge on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. during the one-hour Reception. Meet with friends, have a drink and make plans for dinner. There is no group dinner scheduled.

 SUNDAY

• Pick up your registration materials before the General Session.
• Associate members are invited to display tabletop exhibits in the meeting room during the General Session on Sunday. Contact Mariel Nelson ([email protected] ) by February 5^th if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity.
• The Associate Member Caucus will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. Matters of interest to Associate members will be reviewed, including nominations for two Supplier seats on the Board for fiscal year 2026.
• The General Session (open to all registered attendees, including spouses) begins at 9:00 a.m. Breakfast is not provided.
• Join everyone at the one-hour reception at 6:30 p.m. There is no group dinner scheduled.

MONDAY

• The Scientific Committee will convene on Monday for a Continental Breakfast and meeting at 8:00 a.m. to review scientific issues of interest to the vinegar industry.
• The Board of Directors will meet after the Scientific Committee meeting at 9:30 a.m.
• Topgolf will be offered to attendees who wish to participate for an advance registration fee. Transportation will be provided. Please meet in the lobby at 12:00 noon.
• The perfect ending to a memorable meeting will be held Monday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. Wear your favorite beach attire! Don’t forget to check this activity when registering and be sure to join us for an evening of entertainment.

TUESDAY

• Tuesday’s activities begin with a Continental Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. The General Session runs from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The Meeting will conclude at 11:30 a.m.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please don’t hesitate to call Mariel Nelson at VI Headquarters 678-298-1179 and remember, it’s not too early to register!

For a comprehensive list of dining options in Miami, click HERE. 

Between pool dips and beachfront sunbathing, take advantage of daily morning yoga classes or drop in on daily social hours offered every evening at the Kimpton Surfcomber. You can find the calendar of hotel activities HERE. 

VI is also offering the following activity for an advanced registration fee.  As VI must make firm commitments, please sign up for any activities by January 31, 2025.   

Topgolf Outing (Monday, March 10) 

12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Cost Per Person: $175, includes transportation and lunch 

Minimum number of participants needed: 15  

VI has arranged a group outing to Topgolf for a fun afternoon of golf, drinks, food, and friendly competition! Pre-registration is required and includes transportation to and from Topgolf.  Meet in the lobby on March 10 at 12:00 p.m. for VI provided transportation.  

For those unfamiliar, Topgolf is a fun, high-tech activity where players hit microchipped golf balls toward targets on the ground, earning points based on accuracy and distance. As a high-tech version of miniature golf, Topgolf is suitable for all skill levels, with interactive games and real-time tracking of your shots. Golf clubs are provided so players can travel light, and relax with an outstanding food and beverage menu, climate-controlled hitting bays, and music.  Check out the video HERE to learn more!  

WE APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION IN MEETING THE DEADLINES GIVEN TO HELP US AVOID ADDITIONAL COSTS!

Attendees

Please find the attendee list linked here.