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Wine Vision 2014 turns spotlight onto the wine and consumers of the future

Published:  24 September, 2014

The future of wine, from emerging markets to evolving consumers, will be up for debate at this year's second Wine Vision event which takes place in November.

The future of wine, from emerging markets to evolving consumers, will be up for debate at this year's second Wine Vision event which takes place in November.

Set to be an international gathering of the major players within the field of wine, how to succeed in a volatile market will be a major focus.

Wine Vision 2014The future of wine and consumers is up for debate at Wine Vision 2014Top names from the world of wine are set to attend this year's conference, which takes place from November 17 to 19, 2014, as well as key speakers offering insight from outside the wine industry.

The three-day programme, which kicks off at London's Shangri-La at the Shard on November 17 and continues at the Hurlingham Club for the following two days, is hosted by Harpers' publishers, William Reed Business Media.

"We'll look at wine from the angles of attracting new consumers, marketing to them and creating the right product for them, how that's changing and what that means for players across the industry", said Andrew Reed, managing director of the Drinks Division at William Reed Business Media.  "Traditional markets are under pressure from squeezed margins and increased consumer choice. New markets are evolving - not without risk but with potentially big rewards. We'll get the best minds in the trade to identify the biggest challenges and how the industry needs to shape up to succeed in a volatile future where change is the only constant."

Just-announced speakers Jaime Araujo, strategic advisor to some of the world's biggest wine producers, will discuss the industry's response to globalisation while Charles Banks, the venture capitalist behind California's Screaming Eagle, will advise on investment. Sandra Taylor, president of Sustainable Business International and former Starbucks' head of sustainability, will reveal what coffee retailers can teach wine producers about commercially astute approaches to sustainability, while John Morter, creator of 'Condescending Brand' and dubbed 'Social Media Hell Raiser' by the New York Times, will provide a masterclass in social media marketing.

Already in the line-up is Mike Veseth, author and editor of The Wine Economist; Jean-Guillaume Prats, chief executive of Moët Hennessy Estates & Wines; and Tyler Balliett, founder of Second Glass and the Wine Riot Events in the US.

Top names from the world of wine are set to attend this year's conference, which takes place from November 17 to 19, 2014, as well as key speakers offering insight from outside the wine industry.

Simon McMurtrie, group chief executive of Direct Wines, will chair Wine Vision 2014. He said last year's Wine Vision brought together the trade's "movers and shakers for the first time". "They'll return in 2014 because they know we will address - with intelligence and rigour - the things they care most about - the things that will stimulate innovation and commercial success in the next decade. They know that, for anyone that wants to play a leading role in the changing world of wine, attendance at Wine Vision is non-negotiable."

A series of panel debates will centre on e-commerce vs traditional routes to market, new directions in wine packaging and the emergence of the new consumer. One brings together leading retailers from the UK, Sweden and Austria - Dan Jago of Tesco, Sara Norrell of Systembolaget and Anne Thysell of Spar - to discuss the questionable power of retailers and their sometimes challenging relationships with producers. 

"Ours is a programme that welcomes controversy and doesn't shy away from difficult issues," Reed added.  "Rather, it addresses them head on.  If an industry wants to grow and evolve it needs to confront the challenge of change. Wine Vision will do just that."

Last year's sponsors, including Taylor's Port, The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, cork producer Amorim, and ecommerce firm BlackSquare, have returned for a second year.

New sponsors include Araex Rioja Alavesa & Spanish Fine Wines, and Ball Packaging Europe.

The full Wine Vision programme can be downloaded from www.winevision.com/advance-programme

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