I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I
I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I © Philippe Labeguerie EXERGUE Rodolphe Lameyse Vinexposium CEO 8 • THE DAILY • THURSDAY 23 RD FEBRUARY 2023 wineparis-vinexpo.vinexposium-connect.com
I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 is unstoppable Vinexposium CEO, Rodolphe Lameyse, reflects on this year's successes in an exclusive interview with The Daily Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2023 reached new heights across the board, with more floor space, visitors and international presence than before. How was the 2023 edition of Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris for you? The 2023 trade show was always going to be a challenge because people's expectations were very high. Everyone wanted to see whether we could emulate the success of 2022 after the global pandemic. They wanted to see whether we could recreate the same atmosphere and whether people would show up. So we really had to deliver, and that's exactly what we did. We welcomed 3,387 exhibitors from 42 producer countries, and 36,334 visitors, a 41% increase on 2022, including 38% international attendees from 149 countries. That's an 85% increase in international visitors. But also in terms of quality, the feedback has been really positive, with a total of 6,330 meetings generated 12 279 conversations between producers and buyers. There was a strong international presence at the show. How do you see this evolving going forward? We welcomed a number of new countries to Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris for the first time this year. I think they were testing the waters to see what we could offer them, and judging by the feedback we've received so far, they will be back next year with even more exhibitors. This will grow the trade show's international segment and attract international buyers from around the world who are looking for new products and want to find everything in one place. Attracting foreign buyers and gaining access to markets outside of Europe is especially important in the current climate and I think there will be even more next year. IN TERMS OF INNOVATIONS, I THINK MAKING THE LINK BETWEEN WINE AND GASTRONOMY WAS VERY IMPORTANT. What were some of the key highlight? In terms of innovations, I think making the link between wine and gastronomy was very important. This was really highlighted through our patron Guy Savoys, our Chef & Sommelier Duos and our partnership with the Best Sommelier of the World Contest. But honestly the trade show has ticked all of our boxes in terms of the exhibitors, visitors, quality, overall experience etc. I can't think of a single note which we missed. Of course, there is always going to be room for improvement and we will be thinking long and hard about what we can do better next year. But this edition has demonstrated that it is possible to design an exhibition with an increasingly broad line-up of events and products that combine wine and gourmet food, business and a warm atmosphere. The success will serve as a compass for the Vinexposium team across-the-board. Why is it so important for the wine and spirits industry to meet face to face? If you look at the wine segment, every year there are new vintages and millésimes to be discovered, with their own specificities. There are also many regions which are constantly developing their vinification process, producing novel tastes. At the same time, in the crafts and spirits segments, there are constantly new products hitting the market. The entire industry is based on social interactions and human contact. A glass of wine's raison d'être is to be shared. So it is natural for these people to want to share. You can see this taking place on the trade show floor, when people finish doing business they walk over to their neighbour's stand and taste their products. Sharing is our industry's DNA. What have you got planned for 2024? Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris has already begun to prepare for its next edition. We will be building momentum throughout the year at our events in leading consumer continents – in New York, Singapore, Quebec, Rioja, Seoul, Amsterdam and New Delhi. Thanks to these, Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris will be attracting even more French and international drinks industry members in 2024. Rendez-vous next year WINE PARIS & VINEXPO PARIS 2023 SHOWCASES FRENCH EXCELLENCE Under the High Patronage of Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, this year’s exhibition received visits by 3 French ministers and 15 ambassadors (South Africa, Albania, Argentina, China, Spain, the United States, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Uruguay). Speaking at the official opening ceremony of Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, Marc Fesneau, France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, described the event as "a showcase for French excellence, allowing the quality and authenticity of what we produce to be recognised beyond our borders” A LANDMARK FOR BE SPIRITS The Be Spirits area, which this year occupied a dedicated hall covering 43% extra floor space with 44% new exhibitors compared with 2022, was also a resounding success. Olivier Goujon, Director of the national Armagnac marketing bureau (BNIA)/ Armagnac Style (France) said: "Be Spirits is the absolute go-to place in France to reach out to an international clientele. It brings together the entire spirits community and illustrates the intellectual appetite for spirits and craft beverages. Visitors thronged throughout the three days” THE DAILY • THURSDAY 23 RD FEBRUARY 2023 • 9
