Erin DeMara is a twenty-nine-year professional of the wine and restaurant industries. Currently in his seventh year with 1821 Fine Wine and Spirits, an Italian-focused importer, he manages the portfolio of 100+ wines and spirits within Florida, USA.

Erin is a Certified Wine Educator by the Society of Wine Educators and an Italian Wine Ambassador and Educator by VinItaly International Academy – the only wine professional in America to hold both titles. He is also a Certified Spirits Specialist, a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, and an awarded member of the Guild of Sommeliers.

Marilyn Krieger is based in New York City and has been working in public relations and wine for over two decades, specializing in storytelling, thought leadership, media relations, partnerships, marketing, events, and DEI advocacy. Marilyn, a Fulbright scholar, developed a passion for wine while living and conducting research in Italy. After receiving her Ph.D. from Columbia University with a dissertation on Italian film, she decided to branch out beyond academia as a communications consultant. She provided web content management, editing, and correspondence for a variety of entities, including Google Italy, Harper’s Magazine, and Kuhnhardt Film Productions. In 2006, she joined Winebow, a national importer and distributor of fine wine and spirits, where she led public relations and communications for over 15 years. As part of her mission to foster a more inclusive, diverse, and successful industry for everyone, in 2012 she spearheaded the company’s annual Women in Wine Leadership Symposium. From 2019 to 2022, she was a dissertation advisor at The University of the Arts for a project on Prosecco Docg from Conegliano Valdobbiadene and Asolo. Marilyn’s most recent role was with E. & J. Gallo, where she oversaw trade media and events, focusing on the company’s luxury portfolio. Marilyn is long-standing member of the Public Relations Society of America and the New York chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. She is also a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Society of Wine Educators.