Biography:

Sophie Ghvanidze, Ph.D.
Lecturer, Agribusiness
Geisenheim University, Germany

Dr. Sophie Ghvanidze is a lecturer at Geisenheim University, Germany. She teaches diverse courses related to World Wine Markets, Marketing, Strategic Management, and Market Research in the German and English Study Programs of International Wine Business. After completing her Ph.D. in Agribusiness, Dr. Ghvanidze worked for the leading Market Research Institute. During her research as a Visiting Scholar at the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute at Texas Tech University, she focused on the impact of sustainable and nutritional claims of food and wine on consumer behavior.

Chris Reno
North America Territory Sales Manager
DNV

Chris Reno is a North American Territory Sales Manager with a long history of working in the public safety industry. Chris represents DNV at key events for food safety. He has graduated from the University of Arkansas.

Natalia Velikova, Ph.D.
Professor & Associate Director
Texas Tech University

Dr. Natalia Velikova holds a joint appointment between the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute where she serves as the Associate Director, and the Department of Hospitality & Retail Management at Texas Tech University, where she works as Professor of Wine Marketing. Dr. Velikova teaches courses and conducts research in wine consumer behavior, wine marketing, and wine tourism. Dr. Velikova's research has been published in many academic journals and trade magazines. Her expertise is also highly valued by the wine and grape growers’ industry. Natalia has been invited to deliver numerous presentations at national and international conferences and community events.

Maria Fontanazza
Editor-in-Chief
Food Safety Tech

Maria has more than a decade of experience in journalism, marketing, and communications within the publishing, conferences, and medical device industry. She has authored more than 250 articles that have appeared in domestic and international industry publications and has moderated educational sessions and panel discussions at industry events. Maria joins Innovative Publishing from Secant Medical, Inc., where she was the Marketing Communications Manager and Market Research Manager. Maria has a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in New Media and Visual Design, and a Minor in Fine Arts, from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT.