GREAT wine, food and fellowship were on the menu at the 35th International Beefsteak and Burgundy Convention held in Coonawarra over the weekend.
Convention chairperson Rick Paltridge labelled the event a success, overwhelmed by positive feedback from delegates and local residents alike.
“A delegate sent me an email saying he and his wife had a wonderful time and that it was the best they have ever attended,” he said.
“I can honestly say that we even exceeded our high expectations – we were confident about being across all the details to manage a three-day event of this nature, but there is still no denying there was a healthy level of nervous energy amongst the committee members and volunteers.
“Once we got past registration and staging the welcome dinner last Friday evening, we felt more relaxed that delegates were really embracing what was on offer.”
The convention centred around four signature events, with Katnook Estate hosting the welcome dinner and a glamorous gala dinner on Saturday.
On Saturday morning there was a business session at the Coonawarra Community Hall with the final brunch event hosted by Rymill Coonawarra on Sunday morning.
Mr Paltridge said some interesting and unexpected situations throughout the event required some effort that could only be described as going beyond the call of duty.
“The most memorable was the delegate who accidentally locked his keys in the car on the first day and the only spare set was at his home in Adelaide,” he said.
“So, after a few phone calls, the tertiary student son of one of our committee members agreed to pick the keys up and deliver them on Friday night to Penola where the gentleman was staying.
“He was speechless, but very, very grateful.”
Mr Paltridge said the convention provided a terrific financial boost for the region, with some preliminary economic analysis undertaken by the Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast suggesting it likely contributed over $500,000 of value to the region.
“I’m aware that virtually all the accommodation in Penola and Coonawarra was booked out, many of the participating wineries experienced good cellar door sales over the weekend, local bus companies were kept very busy and even the Penola IGA tasted the economic benefits,” he said.
IGA proprietor Kerry McPherson said there was a definite spike in sales of its cheeses and delicatessen foods over the weekend.
Overall, there were 220 national delegates who attended, with local Beefsteak and Burgundy Club members from Naracoorte, Mount Gambier, Millicent, Penola, Black Swans and Coonawarra joining in one or more of the four key events.
