MANAGING DIRECTOR REVIEW By any measure, 2020 was an extraordinary year and, against that challenging backdrop, we hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe. We thank you for your ongoing trust in Opimian as we navigate these difficult times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on economies, households and businesses —and the wine industry around the world. While we could never have predicted the nature or extent of the crisis we currently face, Opimian has responded by improving its operations and, as a result, its finances. The pandemic hit Canada with full force exactly four weeks after we assumed the stewardship of Opimian. As a result, we came to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the business very quickly. Areas of strength were immediately obvious, while areas of weakness amplified and required prompt attention and decisive action. What became evident early on was the strength and resilience of our people and the professionalism they exhibited as they transitioned to a work-fromhome model that was expected to be temporary but has lasted for the entire year and beyond. As we write this, we are convinced that we have the right team and that we are poised to exceed Member expectations. We all know that Opimian has experienced a combination of internal and external challenges over the last few years. These challenges required us to take a hard look at the business, and as many of you know, we bring a unique perspective to the organization. We were Members first, then volunteers, and now Managing Directors. We share your passion for wine. As such, we know that the best way forward is to look after our Members, employees and winemaker partners better than anyone else can.
THE 2020 REFRESH
Our first priority was to assess each and every aspect of your Club. There was a myriad of programs created over the past 47 years. Some remain essential to the Club’s business model. Others had run their course. While the decisions were hard, programs like the Area Representatives and the Wine Review, as well as the Discovery and Select Plus subscriptions were eliminated, improved or reimagined. Other decisions were easy. We integrated the Vino Etcetera Magazine into the Cellar Offering. Reducing the amount of wasted plastic and paper, and saving money in the process, spoke to our commitment to sustainability.
MICHAEL LUTZMANN C0-MANAGING DIRECTOR
4 OPIMIAN WINE CLUB DE VIN 2020 ANNUAL REPORT
