May 16: As the 4-day Vinexpo in Bordeaux reaches the concluding day on May 16, comes an announcement that Paris will become the global focal point for 3 days for wines and spirits as WINE PARIS and VINEXPO PARIS take place concurrently this time at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, with the market forces dictating that the two French exhibitions come together and create a new, international landmark event at a key time in the buying calendar in Paris and as Rodolphe Lameyse, takes over as the new CEO of Vinexpo
A collective decision reflecting market demand
This unprecedented and collective initiative by the two organisers COMEXPOSIUM and VINEXPO, with the approval of the boards of VINISUD and VINOVISION PARIS, is a response expected and awaited by several members of the wine and spirits sector. The announcement aims to give visibility to all the wine and spirits professionals. Further information will be available in the following months.
This cohesive approach is a chance for producers, trading companies and brands to optimise their resources and benefit from an event with maximum impact. It will unquestionably promote the events’ appeal and act as a magnet for national buyers (wine merchants, HoReCa channels, sommeliers, distributors, specialised wholesalers and sales agents) and draw international buyers to the French capital, at a time of the year which is conducive to buying. The buying season starts in February and is over in April, before Vinexpo takes place. It will also consolidate undeniable French wine expertise and culture and strengthen its international reputation, according to the organisers.
By organising it a month before the competing, successful and ever-expanding Prowein in March, the two shows have come together and pooled their strength to offer a more exciting show for the exhibitors and participants alike and aim to develop Paris as an international wine hub for buyers and sellers, just as Amsterdam became a hub for bulk wine business with the World Bulk Wine Exhibition establishing itself 10 years ago at RAI Amsterdam.
Vinexpo Bordeaux has obviously lost momentum with its clients for many reasons and it would be foolish not to evolve with the changing times but without forgetting where we came from,” says Rodolphe Lameyse, the newly appointed CEO of Vinexpo. “You have to consider timing when it comes to wine trade shows and Vinexpo Bordeaux happens a bit too late in the year at the moment, as people usually buy their wine for the year from February to April”, according to a report in dB.
Complementing events
WINE PARIS stems from the convergence of VINISUD and VINOVISION PARIS, of Mediterranean and cool climate wines, promoting their regional identities, their myriad attributes and diversity. The fusion of these two easily identifiable and complementary exhibitions marked the first collective approach by all the founding marketing boards to create the first major international wine business event in Paris.
By creating VINEXPO PARIS, VINEXPO’s ambition was to seize the growth opportunities slated for the global wine and spirits market. This new international business platform in the heart of the French capital will boast new services such as the INFINITE BAR and the LAB for the exhibition’s spirits area. Its inception aligns with one of the strategic development priorities set by VINEXPO's board of directors, which is to provide expert exhibitions as close as possible to the major markets perceived by them(Bordeaux, Paris, New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai).
While both exhibitions will continue to encapsulate their own inherent characteristics, holding them simultaneously offers an additional asset that will strengthen France’s position as a major crossroads for engagement and the promotion of all French regions and vineyard sites, as well as international wine regions.
VINISUD, the world of Mediterranean climate wines, created and supported since 1994 by producer’s organisations and marketing boards in the South of France: CIVL, CIVR, Inter’Oc, Inter-Rhône, IVSO, CIVP and CIV Corse.
VINOVISION PARIS, the international cool climate wine trade exhibition, was launched in 2017 by wine marketing boards in the Loire Valley, Central Loire, Burgundy, Beaujolais and Alsace and by the Champagne wine growers’ organisation SGV.
WINE PARIS, the first international wine business event in Paris, stands at the crossroads between VINISUD and VINOVISION PARIS and was established on the initiative of all the founding and partner wine marketing boards. The first exhibition took place from 11 to 13 February 2019 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. It was attended by 2,000 exhibitors and 26,700 trade and industry members, including 30% international visitors.
VINISUD, VINOVISION PARIS and WINE PARIS are organised by COMEXPOSIUM / ADHESION GROUP and overseen by 13 French wine marketing boards.
VINEXPO WAS founded in 1981 on the initiative of the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry,. It organises leading events in the wine and spirits industry. Over 38 years, Vinexpo has acquired a unique understanding of the market and established an extensive network of influential distributors around the world. The brand now covers events in five cities around the world (Bordeaux, Hong Kong, New York, and soon Shanghai and Paris) in addition to a travelling event, Vinexpo Explorer. Every year, the group also publishes one of the most exhaustive market studies on the global consumption of wines and spirits: the Vinexpo/IWSR report.
Vinexpo is being currently organised on 13-16 May in Bordeaux.
For a related earlier Article on Wine Paris, please visit:
Wine Paris International Exhibition debuts in 50 days on Feb 11-13
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