Producers and buyers can take advantage of new early bird rates and save 60% to attend the second IBWSS show dedicated to bulk wine and spirits in London in March 2019. But they run out on August 31.
For all the talk of long term relationships and partnerships there is always going to be a natural tension between wine and producers and buyers, particularly as there is even more pressure on retailers, distributors and large on-trade operators to look again at their margins and yields in face of flat or declining sales and tight currency rates.
It’s the same dynamics the world over as the overall market moves even more towards a private label driven wine agenda, where wine, like it or not, is treated and traded as a commodity where price per litre is the most powerful bargaining chip around.
It’s why we have seen such a big increase in the buying and shipping of bulk wine as countries vie for attention on the global wine stage. The last 10 years, for example, has seen a marked shift in the amount of bulk wine now being bought by operators in China, the US and across North America as the biggest emerging markets are now taking market share away from the strong traditional European markets for bulk wine.
The need to trade
Corney & Barrow’s Rebecca Palmer will be joining The Buyer’s debate at IBWSS London in March 2019.
All of which requires constant analysis and assessment, which is where the new International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show comes in. Launched for the first time in the US two years ago it has proved a welcome new arrival on the global conference circuit, with its subsequent inaugural show earlier this year in London. Last month saw the second US event take place in San Francisco and then the focus turns to next March with a follow-up event in London between March 11 and 12.
Both events are focused on tackling the same theme as producers and buyers from across all sectors of the industry look at how they can collectively “Bulk up your Bottom Line” primarily by trading in bulk and bottled in market wine. The US conference included talks from Kevin Boyer, president and ceo, Custom Vine; Jeffrey P. Cody, wine buyer for Whole Foods; Steve Dorfman, partner at Ciatti Company; Eric Guerra, chief sales and marketing Officer, Terravant Wine Co; Kevin Mehra, president and founder, Latitude Beverage; and Ben Salisbury, president, Salisbury Creative Group
All eyes on London
The Buyer’s debate at IBWSS London in March included Mark Lansley, Broadland Wineries, Neil Anderson of Kingsland Drinks, Denys Hornabrook of VINEX.market and Robin Copestick of Copestick Murray, chaired by The Buyer’s Richard Siddle
Speakers for the London event, taking place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, will be announced in due course, but will include leading industry figures such as Rob Dixon of Tesco, Robin Langton, Iceland Foods, Richard Lloyd, Accolade Wines, Paul Schaafsma of Benchmark Drinks, Mark Roberts of Lanchester Wines, Maggie McPherson, EnotriaCoe, Rebecca Palmer, Corney & Barrow and Paul Attwood-Philippe of VINEX.market.
As well as a full conference programme the IBWSS also acts as an important trade exhibition offering the chance for bulk wine and spirit brokers, contractors, producers, wineries, distilleries and distributors to take out space and do business across the two days of the show.
Following the success of the first event, space is already being taken up for the London 2019 event and anyone interested in getting a head start can also take advantage of attractive early bird exhibition rates. But time is running out with the official early bird registration date running out on August 31.
Where and when
March 11-12, 2019. The Royal Horticultural Halls, 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE
Exhibitor pricing
Early Bird Pricing (May 1 to August 31 2018): £2400
Pay 25% deposit now and balance by November 2018. Includes 2 Day Conference Pass.
Regular Pricing (Sept 1, 2018, onwards): £3000
So by paying now you can get a £600 discount on normal prices with the option of only paying 25% now and then the balance by November 30, 2018.
To find out more about taking out exhibition space please contact the event organisers here.
Those looking to attend the event as a visitor and go to the conference can take advantage of an early bird discount of £99 by clicking here.
The UK event will look to pick up from this year’s show which looked at how UK and European retailers and buyers are looking to work with their bulk wine partners and why buying in bulk is not just for the big operators, but is now just as relevant for independent merchants, and smaller operators looking to source wines that they can bottle and market as their own exclusive ranges.
