Vinexpo America and Drinks America Plan A Joint Debut In New York, March 9-10, 2022

May 23, 2021 by evebushman

Where the wine and spirits world meets in America: Vinexpo America and Drinks America plan a joint debut in New York, March 9-10, 2022

PORTLAND, Maine – Diversified Communications and Vinexposium has announced two co-located events—Vinexpo America and Drinks America—that will reunite the beverage alcohol industry in person, under one roof, in 2022. The trade-only expos will be held March 9-10, 2022, in the new Hall 3 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Together, they promise to attract top buyers and decision makers from across North America, the largest and fast-growing beverage-alcohol-consuming market in the world.

Vinexpo America is a repositioning of the former Vinexpo New York, which for three years served as the premier international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America before a 2021 pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its new form, Vinexpo America will focus exclusively on wines, with representation from all of the world’s top-producing regions.

Drinks America is a brand-new expo created in response to a forecasted continuing rise in consumption of spirits and ready-to-drink beverages. It will feature a wide array of spirits, beer and sake from producers across the globe as well as beverage alcohol accessories and services.

Both events will provide U.S. and Canadian buyers access to new and established brands that are looking to expand distribution, network and meet with existing customers in North America. From conferences to master classes, two full days of educational programming will address issues relevant to both the wine and spirits worlds.

For attendees, Vinexpo America | Drinks America offers the advantage of one registration for full access to both shows’ exhibits, programming and events—a great value that also optimizes efficiency as they can meet with producers from around the world in one location over two days.

Exhibitors will benefit from visibility to all buyers, decision makers and influencers from both events, plus unlimited free guest invitations. A new business matchmaking service will facilitate one-to-one meetings during the two-day exhibition.

“We’re excited to renew our partnership with Vinexposium and come back to New York in 2022 with a brand-new, greatly enhanced offering,” said Mary Larkin, president of Diversified Communications USA. “Bringing together Vinexpo America and Drinks America in a single meeting place will enable us to serve the entire U.S. wine and spirits communities—an especially welcome opportunity after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the industry’s major exhibitions in 2021.”

“The launch of our events in the United States in 2022 is designed to coincide with the resumption of trade between Europe and the USA. Under a new name, Vinexpo America aims to embrace the entire North American market, alongside Drinks America. It has become crucial to offer our customers a comprehensive business platform that matches the scale of the American continent and includes spirits, craft drinks and beers alongside wine,” stresses Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

More information regarding the 2022 event will be announced in the coming months.

About Vinexposium

Owned jointly by Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding, Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium offers an enhanced range of high-performance events, tailored to different market segments, with a portfolio of iconic and recognised events: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, WOW! Meetings, Vinexpo America & Drinks America, Vinexpo Hong Kong, WBWE Asia, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Shanghai and WBWE Amsterdam, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and World Wine Meetings.

About Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products, Diversified Communications connects, educates, and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: renewable energy, healthcare, natural and organic, food and beverage, and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA, with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.divcom.com

Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris postponed to 2022 and digitalized in 2021

April 27, 2021 by evebushman

The next physical edition of Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris will take place from 14 to 16 February 2022. The decision to postpone the exhibition, once again imposed by the health situation, was taken in conjunction with the event’s partner wine marketing boards. Stakeholders across-the-board agreed that due to continued uncertainties, the success of the event rescheduled for June could not be guaranteed, neither from an organisational perspective nor for its anticipated benefits for business. However, to continue to maintain the close connection between the Paris event and its exhibitors and visitors from around the globe, Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris will be providing an extensive programme of international content and tools for the wine industry next June on Vinexposium Connect, the group’s digital platform.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2022, an ambitious event highly anticipated by the entire industry

Partners, exhibitors and buyers continue to show a high level of involvement and support in the event, which many expect to be at the crux of post-pandemic recovery. Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will once again draw its strength from the same unity, fuelling a surge in business dynamics at the first major international event of 2022 for the wine and spirits industry.

“We are very much looking forward to taking part in Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, which genuinely energises business. After more than a year with no major international events, we need to get back to the tastings and gatherings that provide our product catalogues with new listings”, admits Jürgen Schlanke, managing director of the German distributor Weinmarkt Mattheis.

“We are both relieved and disappointed by the decision to postpone the exhibition. Relieved because we prioritise the health and safety of our staff and partners, but disappointed because Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is an unmissable event for Rhonéa, a time when we meet all our customers to present our innovations and latest vintages for example… The pandemic may well have enabled us to create new ways of engaging with them – particularly through digital technology – but nothing can replace face-to-face contact and the friendliness of chatting about our wines. We look forward to seeing them in February 2022!” comments Pascal Duconget, CEO of Rhonéa.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2022 will gather all the French wine regions and a large number of international wine regions under one roof. The spirits industry will enjoy its own dedicated Be Spirits area. The event will also offer high-value solutions and content to maximise business opportunities and return on investment for attendees.

“Everything is ready for February 2022 and we are now going to focus on making Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris an even more central event and business hub so that it can be instrumental in fostering economic recovery. The first step will be a digital month in June with key business-centric events on Vinexposium Connect, and a physical gathering in Paris from 14 to 16 February 2022”, stresses Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris goes digital to support business and trade in 2021

Producers and buyers will be able to network from June onwards through B-to-B meetings via the Vinexposium Connect platform. A programme of business-focused digital content will be rolled out throughout June so that industry members can stay connected through highly targeted meetings.

Support from Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris’ partners across the spectrum has been galvanised so that they can share valuable insight with a broad-ranging audience: The IWSR, the International Sommelier Association (ASI), the French Sommelier Association (UDSF) and Wine Tech & Vinocamp.

Three days will focus specifically on regional and international issues for now and the future on 14, 15 and 16 June with the theme of ‘Bouncing Back’ at their core. Each day will address the questions being asked for now and the future, from the perspective of geopolitics, distribution networks and wine and spirits producers.

Men and women from the wine industry will be able to meet up again in Paris from 14 to 16 February 2022. But in the meantime, they can engage with each other on Vinexposium Connect in June, where everything will be designed to offer them maximum business opportunities.

For more information on Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2021, visit wineparis-vinexpo.com

About Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris

On the initiative of their founding wine marketing boards and partners, VinoVision and Vinisud were merged to create WINE PARIS (founded by COMEXPOSIUM and run by 13 French wine marketing boards). In 2020, its role was further enhanced when it partnered with VINEXPO, the creator of international events for the wine and spirits industry. Founded in 1981 on the initiative of the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vinexpo has gained a unique understanding of the market along with an extensive network of influential distributors across the world.

About Vinexposium Connect
The Vinexposium Connect digital platform was created in autumn 2020 to coincide with Vinexpo Shanghai 2020, which was held in a digital format. Since then, it has continued to develop tools and content to provide support for industry members and wine and spirits enthusiasts across the world 24/7.

About Vinexposium
Owned jointly (50/50) by Comexposium and Vinexpo Holding, Vinexposium is the world’s leading organiser of wine and spirits trade events. Vinexposium organises over 10 iconic and recognised events worldwide: Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, World Wine Meetings and World Bulk Wine Exhibition – Amsterdam and Asia, Vinexpo Bordeaux, Vinexpo Hong Kong, Vinexpo Shanghai, Vinexpo India and Vinexpo New York, as well as Vinexpo Explorer and WOW! Meetings. Through these events, it welcomes over 78,000 visitors annually from 140 countries and 5,900 exhibitors.

THE PARISIAN VERSION OF ‘WORLD WINE MEETINGS’ BECOMES WOW! MEETINGS

August 24, 2020 by evebushman

World Wine Meetings Global, the business convention established in 1984, and the WOW! (World of Organic Wines) area, launched by Vinexpo in 2017, are joining together in response to steady growth in the global market for organic products. The result is the WOW! Meetings, two days of business meetings geared to the needs of the international organic community, which will take place on February 13 and 14, 2021, on the eve of Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2021.

High expectations for organic products in France and internationally
In a global market where production and consumption of organic and biodynamic wines are constantly on the increase, the WOW! Meetings will bring together supply and demand under one roof. This unique location will fulfil the needs of producers and an increasingly diversified array of buyers. Major international buyers and European supermarkets, but also wine merchants and restaurants will benefit from ad hoc business meetings.

The WOW! Meetings – super-targeted business meetings
Producers of organic or biodynamic wines, or those in the final switch-over year will all be represented and the range of products will be extended to include beers, ciders, bulk wines and organic alcohol-free wines. The organising team will roll out its expertise to ensure each participant benefits from first-rate conditions – the venue is specifically equipped for the event; attendees are given a special welcome; the meetings schedules are tailored to individual needs; and there are multiple opportunities for additional networking. The meetings will be planned ahead of the event between producers taking part and qualified buyers, whose buying programmes have been clearly identified.

An unprecedented, seminal event for wine in Paris in February
The positioning of the WOW! Meetings will be extremely attractive and will champion the meaningful values specific to the organic market. Attendance at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris by major international buyers, along with a strong local presence by supermarket buyers, wine merchants and specialist restaurateurs who form an exceptional, close-knit fabric of businesses in Paris, will be powerful attributes underpinning the success of the WOW! Meetings. This unprecedented synergy will transform Paris in February into a major international gathering for the entire wine industry.

“Our challenge is to meet the needs of the industry and to align as closely as possible with its expectations. The challenge surrounding organic products is such that we felt compelled to create this dedicated business event. Organic is no longer simply a trend, but a full-fledged industry driver. The Wow! Meetings will provide organic wines with a business meeting platform, on the eve of our major Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris exhibition”, points out Vinexpo CEO, Rodolphe Lameyse.

Organic wines will also be showcased as part of the WONDERFUL programme during Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris where producers will have stands and there will be opportunities to take the floor and host dedicated tastings. And the WOW! area will continue to form an integral part of Vinexpo events internationally.

The World Wine Meetings umbrella brand, which hosts business events worldwide, will continue to gain traction internationally and starting in 2022 will provide new events in markets with high potential for growth.

About the WORLD WINE MEETINGS
Organised by Comexposium, the WWM and its concept of business meetings offer a unique way to meet importers from the main purchasing regions over two and a half days. For over 30 years, this global prospecting tool has been executed in several cities around the world to serve the export needs of its community of producers.

About WOW!
WOW! World of Organic Wines is the Vinexpo area dedicated to the international range of organic and biodynamic wines. WOW! is a reflection of Vinexpo’s determination to reach out to small and medium-sized wine companies by allowing exhibitors to take part in a prominent international event.

About VINEXPO and COMEXPOSIUM
Vinexpo Holding (owned by the Bordeaux-Gironde chamber of commerce – CCIBG) and Comexposium (the global events organiser) are in exclusive negotiations to join forces and create a new entity which will become the world’s leading wine and spirits events organiser. The new company will manage a portfolio of 10 renowned and iconic events with a view to developing an expanded, renewed and high-performance range of events. The project has the whole-hearted support of all the wine marketing boards, Vinexpo’s strategic council and the board of Wine Paris.

Vinexpo Shanghai is Broadening its Range of Services And is Set For October 2020

August 10, 2020 by evebushman

The first Vinexpo Shanghai in 2019, which was unanimously acclaimed by all attendees, broke new ground and the same spirit will prevail at the second event due to take place from 21 to 23 October 2020. Vinexpo Shanghai is adapting to the current climate and devoting a dedicated area to producers who would like to participate but cannot leave their home country. This unprecedented solution will be limited to the first 100 registrants and has been geared to provide simplicity, quality and efficiency to participating producers with an ‘all-inclusive’ formula and targeted networking with buyers attending the exhibition.

Photo from 2019 VinExpo Shanghai

The new area will dovetail perfectly with the range presented at the event by exhibitors from across the globe. Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Argentina, among other countries, will be well represented, alongside Chile, the country of honour at the 2020 exhibition. Chile will make its mark on the event through attendance by numerous estates and brands as well as a raft of top quality masterclasses aimed at Chinese buyers, confirming Vinexpo Shanghai’s international mission within the Chinese market.

Similarly, the Academy is reinventing itself and will be launching the e-Academy, with high-level content (masterclasses and conferences) rolled out during the exhibition but also relayed via Vinexpo’s digital ecosystem in China and around the world. The system will allow remote presentations by prominent international experts to be hosted – they will be transcribed during and at the exhibition.

“Once again and more than ever, we are adapting to this very uncertain climate. In these challenging times, Vinexpo continues to ramp up its business opportunities and bespoke solutions to support recovery of business worldwide. Vinexpo Shanghai 2020, with this new digital solution, will mark the beginning of the recovery”, stresses Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse.

About Vinexpo

In an initiative spearheaded by the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry, VINEXPO came into being in 1981 and today is the leading events organiser in the wine and spirits sector. Over nearly 40 years, Vinexpo has gained a unique understanding of the market and gathered a huge global network of influential distributors. The brand now organises events in five cities worldwide (Bordeaux, Hong Kong, New York, Shanghai and Paris), in addition to a roadshow, Vinexpo Explorer. Every year, the group also publishes one of the most comprehensive market studies on global wine and spirits consumption: the Vinexpo/IWSR report.

Vinexpo has obtained ISO 20121 certification. Vinexpo has introduced a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative through a number of measures aimed at reducing its environmental impact and optimising local, social and economic benefits. Vinexpo is demonstrating its commitment to group-wide performance by ensuring its business is managed in compliance with ISO 20121 certification on “Event sustainability management systems”.

Vinexpo New York creates advisory board to support strategic vision

December 30, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK – As plans ramp up for its third annual show, Vinexpo New York has assembled an Advisory Board of 11 U.S.-based wine and spirits industry leaders to help guide its future path. The show, which has quickly established itself as the leading international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America, returns to Jacob K. Javits Convention Center March 2-3, 2020.

With the help of the Advisory Board, which comprises both past exhibitors and attendees of Vinexpo New York, show organizers are creating a strategic vision that will maximize the show’s value to North American wine and spirits professionals. The board will lend its collective expertise and contribute to the planning and growth of the show.

The inaugural members of the Vinexpo New York Advisory Board include:

· John Beaudette, President & Founder, MHW Ltd. With more than 35 years of industry experience, Beaudette founded MHW, a national beverage alcohol import, distribution and service company, in 1995. He is a board member and former chair of The National Association of Beverage Importers Inc., sits on the board of The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, and is a frequent speaker and lecturer at wine and spirits industry events.

· Cheryl Murphy Durzy, CEO, LibDib. After managing wholesale sales for her family’s 80,000-case winey for more than 17 years, Durzy launched LibDib in 2016 as the first alcohol distributor and technology company to offer a three-tier compliant web-based platform. She sits on several boards, including the California Sustainable Wine Association and Free the Grapes.

· Valerie Gerard-Masuura, VP Operations, Sopexa U.S.A. Backed by 20 years of experience, the past 10 in the U.S., Gerard-Masuura plans integrated programs promoting the products of European wine and food regions and appellations through consumer and trade activations. The French native has earned the Chevalier du Merite Agricole award for outstanding contribution to agriculture by the French Ministry of Agriculture and has been inducted into the Confrérie du Jambon de Bayonne.

· Monique Huston, Vice President Wholesale Spirits, Winebow. Huston launched her spirits career more than two decades ago at Omaha, Nebraska’s Dundee Dell, one of the world’s largest whisky and spirits collections. She joined The Winebow Group in 2015 and rose to her current position in 2017. Huston has been featured in Whisky Advocate, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.

· Helen Mackey, Vice President of Enterprise Beverage Strategy & Innovation, Darden Restaurants. A 20-year industry veteran, Mackey leads beverage strategy and innovation for wine, spirits and beer for each of the Darden concepts including Capital Grille, Eddie Vs, Seasons 52, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steak House, Yard House, Bahama Breeze and Cheddars Scratch Kitchen. A frequent lecturer, she is a Wine Spectator panel expert on the U.S. wine market and alcohol trends, and was named Wine Enthusiast’s 2016 Wine Director of the Year.

· Vela McClam Mitchell Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Lemae Group Wines. Thomas and her late husband founded Lemae Group Wines, a wine importing company headquartered in Atlanta, in 1999. The couple’s original mission was to bring the fine wines of Portugal to the U.S. It has since expanded to include wines from estate vineyards in France, Italy and Spain as well. Thomas has led the company for the past 10 years.

· Steve Melchiskey, Managing Member, USA Wine West. Since working the grape harvest in the Rhinegau in 1976, Melchiskey has built an illustrious career in the wine industry. He founded USA Wine West in 1996 and is also owner/winemaker at Maine Coast Vineyards and a licensed attorney specializing in wine law. Melchiskey currently advises wine portfolios in developing their U.S. distribution and marketing strategies.

· Brandy Rand, Chief Operating Officer, Americas, IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. Rand oversees demand generation and strategy for North America, Canada and the Caribbean for IWSR, the leading source of global beverage alcohol data and trends. She brings to her position 18 years of prior management experience in the industry, including Allied Domecq Spirts & Wines, William Grant & Sons, and Bacardi Limited. She also ran her own brand-building practice for many years, consulting for Anheuser-Busch, Beam Suntory and other brands.

· Brian Rosen, President, BevStrat. A leading authority in the three-tier system, retail off premise, marketing, and go-to-market strategy for the adult beverage space, Rosen has more than 30 years of industry experience. Since 2007 he has led BevStrat, America’s leading brand sales and marketing arm for brands under 100,000 cases in market. Rosen is also vice president, global brand development at MHW Ltd.

· Manilay Saito, Senior Manager North America—Wine, Beer & Spirits, Business France. Saito brings 15 years of industry experience in Japan and the U.S. to Business France, the French Trade Commission in North America. Since assuming her current role in 2013, she has served as a liaison between North American industry professionals and French producers, supervising a diverse team across the U.S. and Canada.

· Aaron Sherman, Chief Executive Officer, SevenFifty. Sherman co-founded SevenFifty, an online platform for the beverage alcohol trade, in 2012. He brings to his role more than a decade of industry experience in a range of capacities, from sommelier at leading New York restaurants like WD-50 and L’Artusi to beverage director at SLS Hotel in Los Angeles. As CEO, Sherman oversees SevenFifty’s overall company vision and growth.

For more information on Vinexpo New York, or to register to attend, visit https://www.vinexponewyork.com/.

About Vinexpo

Since its establishment in Bordeaux in 1981, on the initiative of Bordeaux Gironde’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vinexpo has been a leading organizer of events for the wine and spirits industry. In 37 years, Vinexpo has developed a unique understanding of the market and an extensive network of key distributors around the World. The brand currently runs exhibitions in four set locations (Bordeaux, Hong Kong, New York and soon Paris), and the touring event Vinexpo Explorer. The Group also publishes every year the Vinexpo/IWSR Report, which is the most comprehensive survey of the global consumption of wine and spirits. For more information, visit www.vinexpo.com. Join Vinexpo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn

Vinexpo New York returns to the Javits Center for a third year, March 2-3, 2020

November 11, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK – The leading international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America, Vinexpo New York returns for a third year, March 2-3, 2020, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The 2020 show promises to build on the momentum of the March 2019 program, which drew 400 exhibitors and 3,000 wine and spirits professionals—three-quarters of whom indicated they are directly involved in purchasing.

Jointly organized with Diversified Communications, Vinexpo New York is open exclusively to trade professionals. It features two full days of educational programming, networking opportunities, and an exhibition hall strategically organized to foster business relationships between both domestic and international producers and American importers, distributors, retailers, brokers, e-commerce representatives, on-trade buyers and sommeliers. Registration for attendees is now open, with an early bird rate offered through Nov. 30.

The 2020 show will introduce several significant new features, among them a new Importer Pavilion that will provide importers with an efficient platform to showcase their wine and spirits portfolios to top buyers and decision-makers from all regions of the U.S. and Canada. Also new is a Key Buyer Program offering VIP perks to high-volume wine and spirits buyers from top distributors and importers. Key buyers enjoy free entry to the exhibit hall, including all networking events, special events, One to Wine Meetings, conferences and master classes. They also have exclusive access to a Key Buyer Lounge that provides a comfortable place, stocked with complimentary refreshments, to meet with their team during the expo. Key buyer nominations are being accepted at keybuyer@vinexponewyork.com .

Vinexpo New York 2020 will also see the return of popular signature offerings like the complimentary One to Wine Meetings matchmaking service and WOW! World of Organic Wines, an exhibit and tasting area devoted exclusively to organic and biodynamic wines and spirits from around the world. More details of the 2020 program will be announced shortly.

Mary Larkin, president of Diversified Communications remarked, “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Vinexpo and to once again bring its power to America, where wine and spirits producers from around the globe have an unequalled opportunity to showcase their products to the largest wine-consuming market in the world.”

Added Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse, “The strong results of the past two Vinexpo New York shows, and the early interest we are seeing from exhibitors for 2020, illustrates just how vital it has become in three short years to the international wine and spirits business. The show remains the single best opportunity for U.S. importers, distributors, sommeliers and other trade professionals to meet hundreds of international producers in one location.”

For more information or to register to attend, visit www.vinexponewyork.com.

About Vinexpo

Vinexpo New York Returns to the Big Apple March 4-5, 2019

November 7, 2018 by evebushman

NEW YORK – Returning for its second year, Vinexpo New York – the leading international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America – will take place March 4-5, 2019 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The exhibit is strategically organized to ensure the creation and growth of business relationships between international producers and American importers, distributors, retailers, brokers, e-commerce representatives, on-trade buyers and sommeliers. Registration for attendees is now open, with an early bird rate offered through Nov. 30, 2018.

Jointly organized with Diversified Communications, Vinexpo New York is open exclusively to trade professionals and features two days of business meetings, educational conferences, master classes, tastings and networking events. Mary Larkin, executive vice president of Diversified Communications remarked, “After the remarkable success of Vinexpo New York 2018, we are thrilled to partner with Vinexpo for another year and welcome back the international wine and spirits industry to the world’s largest wine-consuming market.”

Signature offerings like Vinexpo’s complimentary One to Wine Meetings matchmaking service will return to New York in 2019, and exhibitors and attendees can also look forward to new features like WOW! World of Organic Wines, an exhibit and tasting area devoted exclusively to organic and biodynamic wines and spirits from around the world. Complete 2019 programming will be announced shortly.

“As last year’s exhibit showed, the demand to break into the U.S. market is greater than ever before,” said Christophe Navarre, president of the Vinexpo Supervisory Board. “With a list of exhibitors that is constantly expanding, Vinexpo New York will once again be the single best opportunity for U.S. importers, distributors, sommeliers and other trade professionals to meet hundreds of international producers in one location.”

Exhibitors at Vinexpo New York will represent wine-producing regions from around the globe, including many that are introducing products to the North American market for the first time. To date, countries returning to exhibit include: Argentina, Austria, France, Germany, Greece and Italy, as well as Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain and the United States. New to the 2019 show floor, thus far, are exhibitors from China, Romania and Serbia.

For more information or to register to attend, visit https://www.vinexponewyork.com/.

About Vinexpo

Vinexpo Bordeaux Shows Ambition

October 10, 2018 by evebushman

The 20^th edition of Vinexpo Bordeaux, which takes place from Monday 13 to Thursday 16 May 2019, has announced several new features to provide a unique welcome to the world and highlight its position as a strategic show.

Photo: VinExpo in Hong Kong, a past event, from the VinExpo Facebook page.

A true partner for the sector, Vinexpo Bordeaux brings together all stakeholders in the world of wines and spirits. Over 40,000 trade visitors from 150 countries are expected to come and discover the diversity of products presented by 2,000 international exhibitors.

This major calendar event is also a key opportunity for the region in terms of the economic impact and publicity associated with the event.

A Drive for Performance

Vinexpo is the only independently organised show entirely devoted to the wine and spirits industry. In 37 years, Vinexpo has gained a unique understanding of the market and gathered a huge global network of influential distributors. The brand now organises events in four cities around the world: Bordeaux, Hong Kong, New York, and soon Paris in January 2020, as well as a touring event, Vinexpo Explorer.

“Vinexpo is continuing to expand internationally and Vinexpo Bordeaux is the Group’s cornerstone. This is our flagship and it will receive even more resources for 2019”, confirmed Patrick Seguin, President of Vinexpo’s executive board and Chairman of the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce. “To do this, we wanted to develop an unprecedented synergy with our local partners. By pooling our strengths and solutions, we will be contributing to our customers’ success through several new initiatives and innovations which we’re launching.”

New 14,000m² hall and easier visitor mobility

Following the Bordeaux Métropole decision and in agreement with the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the planned investment scheme to refurbish the exhibition hall has been accelerated. For its 2019 edition, the show will be housed in a new facility replacing Hall 2 (cost: €34.7 million). This initiative will continue in the next few years with the gradual renovation of Hall 1.

At the same time, a new facility will be set up for reception and access to the exhibition. Attendees will be able to use the Vinexpo Citypass. This pass gives free access to the TBM (tramway and bus) network and offers numerous advantages so they make the most of their stay in Bordeaux (free entrance to the Cité du Vin, some of the city’s museums etc.). There will also be a special reception and information stand at Bordeaux-Mérignac airport and at the Bordeaux Saint-Jean railway station.

Extensive promotion for 2019 with an expanded content and new developments

“Vinexpo Bordeaux is packed with exciting attractions that we will be promoting intensively abroad. Increasing the number of buyer contacts and the event’s commercial role, offering insights into today’s key challenges and shining the light on French hospitality will confirm Vinexpo Bordeaux as the industry’s strategic trade show, where the future of the business is built. To deliver this strategy, we have decided to add several new features”, indicated Christophe Navarre, President of the Vinexpo Supervisory Board.

The first Symposium Vinexpo will be organised in association with the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This event will provide answers to the major challenges facing the industry. The theme for this year will look at the impact of climate change on the wine and spirits industry. The scientific, technical and economic aspects will be considered during talks taking place throughout the day on 14 May. This topical issue will be examined by representatives from the French Wine and Vine Institute and its international experts.

With the support of the AANA (Nouvelle-Aquitaine Food Agency), the regional authority will be organising a “food meeting” during Vinexpo Bordeaux, to attract new catering buyers to the show.

Another initiative is Les Diners du Palais (Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 May). Exhibitors at Vinexpo Bordeaux will be able to invite their guests to the sophisticated venue of the Palais de la Bourse. Their own wines will be served as they dine, paired with a menu designed by a Michelin-starred chef. This new service supports customer relations and communication at the show.

Meeting end consumers is an increasingly important aspect of sales and prospecting for new customers. This is why wine enthusiasts will, for the first time, be able to sample a selection of the international wines and spirits at Vinexpo, at La Grande Dégustation (tasting event) to be held at the Palais de la Bourse on the evening before the show: it will be open to the general public.

USA and China drive the world’s wine market, along with a global love of bubbles

March 25, 2018 by evebushman

Bordeaux – The upturn in the value of world wine consumption is set for a record global market value of $224.5 billion by 2021, forecasts Vinexpo/IWSR in its annual forecasts for the wine and spirits sectors.

photo credit: Michel Jolyot

A comparison of the ten years from 2011 to 2021 shows that the value of the world wine market will grow 40% to reach volume sales of 2.66 billion 9-litre cases. Driving the recovery are the USA and China, the world’s two most powerful economies, whose joint growth in wine consumption offsets declines elsewhere, notably in Europe.

Over the next five years, China will become the world’s second largest market for grape wine behind world leader, the USA. Chinese consumption is expected to rise by over one third to $23 billion over the next five years when it will reach volume of 192 million cases. By comparison, in 2016 a volume leap of 8 million cases pushed the value of the Chinese wine market to $15.24 billion (growth driven almost exclusively by still wine).

The USA, the world’s most valuable wine market worth more than $36 billion in 2017, is poised to grow over 25% in the run up to 2021, reaching more than $45 billion.

A number of other factors for growth range from a global love of sparkling wine, a clear global trend towards premium brands, and strong sales of whiskey.

Sparkling wine is forecast to grow by an average 2% year-on-year to 2021, driven predominantly by North America, but also showing strong growth in the UK and Asia-Pacific countries such as Australia, Japan. Those two countries helped to push sparkling wine in Asia-Pacific to a total value of $2.79 billion in 2016 for 9 million cases. By 2012 that figure is forecast to rise to $3.73 billion (15.8 million cases).

Prosecco will outstrip other major categories such as Champagne and Cava by 2021 when world Prosecco consumption is set to reach 40 million cases. In the UK, the world’s largest sparkling wine importer, Prosecco is an outstanding success. Nonetheless, the USA is expected to show the most growth in consumption of Prosecco by 2021, while remaining number two behind the UK.

Champagne’s shift in focus from Europe to emerging markets looks set to accelerate. Europe’s share of global Champagne volume is forecast to have decreased by 4 percentage-points by 2021, from 80% recorded in 2016.

In keeping with the trend to “drink less but better” premium wines are forecast to drive global still wine consumption. The premium segment – wines selling for between $10 and $20 – is forecast to grow by over 60 million cases during this period. Standard brands ($5-$9.99) will grow just short of 32m cases, and super-premium-plus just short of 5 million cases. The biggest losses will fall below $5, where the global category is expected to lose 75 million cases.

In spirits, too, premium price points are generally performing better than value, with mainstream standard brands developing at a healthy rate.

Whisky is expected to perform particularly well, especially Scotch and US whiskey, and to a lesser degree gin and tequila. This development broadly reflects the premiumisation trend with premium-and-above segments growing the fastest. The US and China will drive global growth of premium-and-above spirits. Combined, they are expected to add 30 million cases in these price segments, compared to a net gain of 46 million cases globally.

Meanwhile, the power of the Asia-Pacific region and the role of Hong Kong as a major business hub is highlighted by projected regional growth over the next five years from $29 billion in 2016 to $40.8 billion by 2021.

Guillaume Deglise, CEO of Vinexpo commented, “Since Vinexpo began tracking world data so many years ago we have witnessed the remarkable rise of the Asia Pacific region and its massive contribution to growth of the wine and spirits sectors. Being in Hong Kong since 1998 is a winning strategic choice that Vinexpo offers to its clients”.

The 20^th anniversary of Vinexpo Hong Kong exhibition will take place from May 29 to 31, where 1300 exhibitors from 28 countries will showcase their products to an expected 18000 visitors.

About Vinexpo
Vinexpo organises wine and spirits events for industry professionals acting as the sector’s international partner since its establishment, in 1981, on the initiative of Bordeaux Gironde’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Through its 35 years B2B experience the Group has developed an in-depth understanding of the market, as well as establishing strong relationships with key distributors across the world. It runs exhibitions in five set locations (Bordeaux, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York and soon Paris), and one touring show (Vinexpo Explorer). Vinexpo thus covers the three continents with the highest consumption rates, and continues to be the market leader for wine and spirits events as the go-to forum for producers and buyers. The Group is expanding with two new exhibitions in New York (2018) and Paris (2020) and with Vinexpo Explorer (held in Austria in 2017) scheduled to take place in California in September 2018. Vinexpo’s successful expansion strategy is marked this year by the 20th anniversary celebration of its pioneering establishment in Hong Kong, in 1998, of the first ever wine and spirits exhibition in the region.

Vinexpo New York Expands Wine and Spirits Exhibition

November 11, 2017 by evebushman

NEW YORK – Vinexpo New York – the leading international exhibition for wine and spirits professionals in North America, jointly organized with Diversified Communications – today announced that it has expanded the footprint of its March 5-6, 2018 exhibition, nearly doubling the original floorplan in order to accommodate demand. The event will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Open exclusively to the trade, Vinexpo New York, will feature two days of business meetings, tastings and conferences.

“In such a fast-evolving market, it’s the opportunity for the wine and spirits industry to meet and for producers to make strategic decisions for the distribution of their brands in the U.S.” said Guillaume Deglise, CEO of Vinexpo.

To date, exhibitors from Australia, Austria, France, South Africa, Spain and the U.S. have registered, as well as from Argentina, Chile, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Moldova, Russia, Sweden and Uruguay. The current list of exhibitors is available here.

“We are thrilled by the response to Vinexpo New York. It is shaping up to be the must-exhibit, must-attend conference,” said Mary Larkin, executive vice president, Diversified Communications. “With a growing list of more than 115 exhibitors representing 16 countries, it is a testament to just how vibrant the North American market continues to be.”

Attendee registration is currently open at www.vinexponewyork.com/attend/. An early bird fee is available through Nov. 30.

About Vinexpo

Vinexpo was established in 1981 to organize wine and spirits events for the trade and act as the sector’s international partner. Vinexpo Bordeaux takes place in uneven years, while Vinexpo Hong Kong (formerly Vinexpo Asia-Pacific) has been held in even years since 1998. In 2014, Vinexpo expanded into the Japanese market with the launch of a third biennial fair, Vinexpo Tokyo. Vinexpo Hong Kong and Vinexpo Tokyo are now key events in the Asian wine and spirits trade calendar. In January 2017, Vinexpo initiated a new concept, Vinexpo Explorer, two days of business meetings and discovering vineyards. Vinexpo New York, which takes place for the first time on March 5-6, 2018, will open doors to the U.S. market for international exhibitors. For more information, visit www.vinexpo.com. Join Vinexpo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.