Grape growers and wine makers will find ample educational opportunities, speakers and vendors during the annual Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Forum and Trade Show March 1-3 in Kearney.

The 15th annual event organized by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Viticulture Program in cooperation with the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association will feature an “outstanding lineup of vendors and three talented and highly respected grape and wine professionals,” said Paul Read, UNL viticulturist.

“This may be the greatest forum yet,” Read said.

Laurie Forster, also known as The Wine Coach, headlines the program. She will present “Using Technology to Connect with Consumers” and “Making the Tasting Room More Effective, Educating the Public and Selling Your Wines.” She also will moderate discussions on marketing and is the featured speaker at the Grand Awards Banquet. Steve Menke, state enologist for Colorado, will give a keynote presentation, conduct a workshop on improving technologies in winemaking and lead round table discussions.

Horst Caspari will be this year’s forum viticulture expert. He will conduct a workshop on vineyard management, provide a keynote address, lead round table discussions on viticulture and present his Colorado vineyard research.

Both red and white evening wine receptions are planned on March 1 and 2, and the conference will conclude the evening of March 3 with the Grand Awards Banquet.

Registration and other information, including a full agenda and costs, is available at go.unl.edu/wine, or by contacting the UNL CARI Registration Service, 800-328-2851 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or email unl-cari@unl.edu.