The School incorporated the WineInsight program into the Spring semester 2003 coursework with the goal of better equipping students for employment and in turn, making them more marketable in the hospitality industry. "The program helps to continue to position our School's graduates as leaders," said Ron Cichy, Director and professor of The School. "It ties directly to our focus on the business of hospitality."

The WineInsight program is a unique training tool that provides students with detailed knowledge about wine flavor profiles, how to increase guest satisfaction, how to develop and manage progressive wine lists and overall, how to effectively sell wine. Because the program is Internet-delivered, students have access at any time. As a final project in the hospitality beverage class, each student will create a progressive wine list. More than 70 students in the class will be pre-trained upon completion of the course.

"The WineInsight program is an excellent, creative and truly needed resource that will benefit our students, their future employers and guests," said Carl Borchgrevink, associate professor of The School and primary catalyst for the introduction of the WineInsight program into the curriculum. "As industry trends reveal, there is a move towards higher quality wines in the United States. This trend is forcing restaurants and hotels to recognize the need for more effective training. The WineInsight program addresses this much-needed training."

Upon hiring a MSU student who is pre-trained in the WineInsight program, companies potentially could significantly cut staff-training time and cost, increase wine margins and revenues, and reduce time at the table, ultimately selling wine with increased guest satisfaction.

"The students exposed to the innovative WineInsight program will have a competitive advantage in the work place. Students will be able to implement a wine-selling strategy and create untapped revenues far quicker than managers who have not had any type of wine training," said Chris Nowak, senior hospitality beverage class student.

A sampling of WineQuest customers and alliance partners includes Disney Hotels, ARAMARK Convention and Sports, The Ritz-Carlton Company, Starwood Hotels, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Mimi's Cafe and Robert Mondavi.

About WineQuest Solutions

Founded in 1998, WineQuest is a strategic marketing company offering products and services to better manage, promote and sell wine. Its founders bring together 20 years of expertise in wine knowledge, wine culture, and consumer sensory influences, and 25 years of technology and marketing experience, to deliver products that efficiently and effectively sell wine between producers, distributors, licensees and consumers. WineQuest has developed a disciplined and systematic approach to increasing wine sales through online technology and advanced management software tools.

About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University

Founded in 1927, The School is celebrating its 76th year anniversary in 2003. The School has more than 8,500 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading academicians and industry executives. The mission of The School is to be the leader in hospitality business education through teaching, research and service. Recognized as the top-ranked business-based hospitality school in the world, The School offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum taught by innovative professors who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants and respected researchers. For more information, please visit www.bus.msu.edu/shb.