volunteer
Volunteering Never Felt So Good
Volunteers are an integral part of the Cincinnati International Wine Festival! Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring our wine festival guests have an unforgettable experience.
Volunteers can sign up for shifts online through our online registration system. Roles will be available for Beneficiary Organizations beginning on December 8, 2025. They will be available to all individuals in January 2026. As a thank you for a full volunteer shift, volunteers will receive one free admission to a grand tasting session on either Friday or Saturday.
Note: The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is proud to support 30+ local nonprofits. As part of our mission to help these organizations, we prioritize giving them the first opportunity to provide volunteers. This ensures their members, who are such a vital part of the festival’s work, have the chance to participate.
We understand that not everyone may get their first-choice volunteer role, and we sincerely appreciate your passion to help. When you register, please use the waitlist feature to automatically receive a volunteer role if more spots become available. Thank you for your understanding and for your enthusiasm for making a difference!
Volunteer FAQs
Volunteers sign up for shifts online through our online registration system.
The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a huge undertaking, and we could not pull it off without our dedicated volunteers. Volunteer shifts fill up quickly, and we understand that your preferred time might not be available. We try to balance the needs with resources so that as many people as possible can participate. If you have questions or concerns, please use this form to contact us.
Volunteers sign up for shifts using the online registration system.
You will receive an email confirmation after completing the sign-up process. You will also receive an email confirmation from CIWF staff in February, providing greater detail on your volunteer role and expectations, along with festival logistics.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your shift start time to begin the check-in process.
Report to the Volunteer Table at the Cincinnati Convention Center. Enter the convention center using the 5th and Elm Street entrance. Use the elevator or stairs to access the second floor and check in at the volunteer table. A staff member will cross-reference your name with a list of expected volunteers and issue you a wristband.
We ask all volunteers to wear black pants and a white, collared shirt. You will be given a name badge that identifies the nonprofit organization you represent. We do not permit flip-flops, bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, short shorts, or low-hanging pants in any volunteer setting. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes when working at the festival.
In exchange for a full shift, volunteers will receive free admission to one session on either Friday or Saturday. A volunteer cannot volunteer after attending the festival the same day. For example, volunteers who work on Friday night can attend on Saturday. Volunteers who work on Saturday night must attend on Friday night.
If you are scheduled to volunteer on Saturday but need to pick up your wristband for Friday admission, please visit the Volunteer Table upon arrival on Friday.
Please call our office at 513-241-3434 as soon as you know there is a change in your schedule. We appreciate your timeliness, as your shift is very important, and we will have to work quickly to find someone to fill it.
If you are looking to speak directly with Cincinnati International Wine Festival staff, please contact 513-241-3434 or info@winefestival.org.