Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/882780
38 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 { education } Master Sommelier Steven Poe, Education Director of SommFoundation. Dear SOMM Journal Community, From the morning chill near a dew-laden, foggy vineyard in the foot- hills of Valdobbiadene, to the smell of salty ocean air across the sandy soils of Santorini, to the way the sun warms the back of your neck in the Golan Heights of Israel—there is simply nothing like being there . . . The Enrichment Trip program at SommFoundation is committed to offering beverage professionals unique opportunities to travel to destinations all over the world. These trips are instrumental in gener - ating meaning behind what is in the glass—not just the soil and the climate of a vineyard, or the distinctive properties behind a brewery or distillery. It's the culture, the history and the stories behind each that provide a contextual element far beyond the printed page. Such experiences create lifelong memories that are shared tableside to guests in a restaurant, during educational sessions with fellow profes - sionals and students and at the celebratory gatherings of friends and family; they inspire us to learn, to grow and to share. In the past year, SommFoundation has worked closely with its sponsor-partners to generate memories such as these in Greece, Spain, Israel, Italy and France—as well as here in the United States with journeys to Napa Valley and Oregon. This partnership continues to build strong, invaluable relationships in the beverage community through cultural immersion in each location, celebrating the history, heritage, people and traditions of some of the most fascinating wine and spirit locations in the world. The selection process for enrichment trips involves a combined effort between SommFoundation and the sponsor. A survey is constructed with questions regarding the applicant's place of employment, as well as their duties and responsibilities within the organization. We look for diversity amongst industry professions from different geographical loca - tions and try to gauge a candidate's level of passion, knowledge and altruistic spirit of giving back to the beverage community. Each individual fortunate enough to be chosen for one of these aazin opportunities is reuired to fill out an additional surey following the trip to assist all involved in improving the experience for future attendees, as well as to show gratitude for the generous sponsors who make it possible. It is, indeed, this quest for knowledge, combined with a genuine feeling of gratefulness and paying it forward, that drives SommFoundation enrichment trips. We humbly ask for your support and encourage you to take part in the process. Please visit our website at www.sommfoundation.com to view upcoming enrichment trip opportunities. If interested in creating an enrichment trip to your corner of the world, please contact Lynn letcher lynn.etchersofoundation.co or aes echner aes.lechnersofoundation.co. Cheers! Steven Poe, MS Steven Poe is a board member of SommFoundation and serves as Enrichment Trip Director. Contact him at steven.poe@sommfoundation.com.