Cocktail Hour Etiquette Training

By: Colin Carroll

In February, the Iowa Student Association of Healthcare Leaders organized a cocktail hour etiquette
event, hosted by Iowa MHA alum, Todd Linden, and his wife, Angela. MHA students were invited to Todd and Angela’s WineStyles Tasting Station in Cedar Rapids for an evening of wine tasting and education on proper cocktail hour etiquette.

Students were given the opportunity to taste four different wines throughout the evening. Todd provided instruction on proper tasting technique, including how to hold the glass and aerate the wine. Students learned that the proper way to experience wine is to first look, then smell, and lastly, taste. Throughout the evening, Todd provided background knowledge on the wine, as well as traditional food pairings. Cheese and meat samples were provided for an authentic tasting experience.

Students also received a crash course in cocktail hour customs and appropriate decorum. The discussion included an informative question and answer section. Todd provided tips on how to "work the room" and network. Students were given advice on topics ranging from how to select a bottle of wine at dinner to starting and ending conversations. The evening was fun and educational, and will be a benefit to MHA students traveling to ACHE Congress the week of March 27th.