How many times have you sat on the plane returning home from a wine fair feeling like you just did not have enough time to see the right amount of people. Well if you are looking to go to Vinexpo in June you can take advantage of a match making service that promises to arrange meetings with like minded producers in your key target markets around the world.
Save time wandering the aisles and allow Vinexpo to hook you up with the right producers in your key new target markets.
You soon get to appreciate quite how big the world of drinks is when you step in to one of the exhibition halls of a major show and try and make your way to your first appointment. It can feel like you have just walked in to Heathrow Airport two days before the start of the Easter Weekend.
No matter how much you try and plan your diary, timings soon go to pot as you rush from stand to stand, only to find you have arrived for that vital 9am meeting to discover you are not due there until tomorrow.
For all the thousands of exhibitors from seemingly every country in the world capable of growing or distilling a grape you tend to stick to the companies you know, the producers and brands you already stock rather than venture too far off piste.
Which is not really what these exhibitions are designed to do. Yes, you are here to build on previous relationships, but the mark of how successful a particular event normally lies in how much new business or potential additional sales you have been able to deliver.
It is a dilemma that is very much at the forefront of Guillaume Deglise mind as he prepares his team for the latest Vinexo show in June. Making buyers’ visits as productive and as memorable as possible is what is driving and motivating Deglise and his team.
Best use of time
It is why he has specifically looked to introduce and enhance a series of initiatives designed to make a buyer’s visit to Bordeaux as productive as possible.
None more so than its “One to Wine” meetings which allow both buyers and exhibitors to arrange meetings before the event with the most appropriate and relevant potential business partners.
Particularly useful if you are looking to find distribution in new countries around the world and in markets where you currently have limited knowledge and few contacts.
Both buyers and exhibitors can set out exactly the kind of business they are looking for, and in the latter’s case can even specify individual buyers they would like to have a meeting with. The buyer has the final say in who they want to meet.
“We can then create a wish list for both sides from which they can then choose from and set up final meetings,” explains Deglise.
Available for all
The idea was first introduced for the 2015 show for a limited number of exhibitors, but is now open to all buyers and producers present.
“We believe that attending a fair like Vinexpo it is not enough just to meet existing customers. This way we can help visitors potentially make some extra business through these face to face meetings.”
He believes it could be particularly useful for smaller producers that are not able to take out large stands at the show, but are also “the ones looking or new buyers”. It also means they will have buyers coming direct to their stand so will have the chance to show them their wines, talk about their culture and really show them what they are about.
Deglise urges buyers looking to attend Vinexpo to make the most of what is free service. It will plan, organise, and print your schedule ready for you when you arrive.
“It is a really good way of making the most of the show. For producers it is also a good way to get the attention of buyers.”
It is possible to book as many meetings as possible, but Deglise suggests no more than between four and six as each are scheduled for 40 minutes each and it still takes time to get from stand to stand and there are other content opportunities to take advance of.
He hopes it also a further illustration of all the steps being taken to make Vinexpo a show to do business at. “Our exhibitors are coming to Bordeaux to do business, to show their latest vintages, and new labels. It is very important for them to meet the right customers and build those relationships at the show,” he stresses.
The fact the show is now being held over four rather than five days will also bring a more focused approach and allow buyers to maximise the most of what is on average stays of two or three days.
Other Vinexpo highlights:
- chance to taste organic wines from all over the world with a special focus on organic, biodynamic and some natural wines and take part in a conference programme focused on trends within organic wine.
- there will also be a special feature to highlight and promote different regions and styles of Spanish wine with masterclasses, tastings and seminars.
- there will be the chance to benchmark Chinese wines for the first time in Vinexo Bordeaux as Chinese producers from the key region of Ningxia come to do business.
- a revamped and expanded spirits section will see a number of new spirits and countries join the show, particularly sake from Japan.
- a full seminar and debate programme will include standalone sessions looking at the latest research on climate change.
- there will be a separate debate looking at the ramifications on the global wine trade following the UK’s impending exit from the EU.
- a high level session looking at the opportunities for e-commerce is also being planned featuring leading players from both Europe and China.
- all of the above events are being held within Hall 3 area of the show, close to the exhibition floor and not over the lake in the separate conference centre.
- Vinexpo takes place between June 18-21, click here for more information and registration details.
