Wine Industry Report

Bordeaux: November 28-30 2006
VINITECH unveils a new strategy and a new offer for the 2006 session —

A world of exchanges in a changing world
At a time when the world of vines, wine and spirits is undergoing radical structural and economic change, VINITECH’s organizers have undertaken a wide-ranging analysis of the needs of their exhibitors and visitors and of the entire sector.

This comprehensive analysis has given a new dynamic edge to the world’s leading exhibition in the techniques, science and practice of viticulture and wine-making, resulting in an updated offer that’s perfectly attuned to the needs of all players involved in the sector – in France, in Europe and around the globe.

The 2006 session of Vinitech will present a new structure and layout complete with themed areas, a comprehensive program of talks and discussion forums, including the Ideas Forum, an international platform for sharing expertise, exploring cultural diversity in the wine world, and developing visions for the future.

Since it was founded in 1977 VINITECH has steadily grown to become what it is today: the key exhibition for all professionals in the viticulture and wine-making sector, presenting a comprehensive offer of techniques, technological advances and equipment and services for vine-growing, wine-making and bottling. With the support of SYGMA, SECIMA and SEDIMA – the equipment manufacturers and importers/distributors associations – this success has earned VINITECH an unrivalled international reputation.

VINITECH’s high profile also derives from the quality of its high-level scientific colloquia and technical talks. Today the exhibition is an international forum of expertise in all matters relating to viticulture and wine-making.

VINITECH takes place in Bordeaux every two years, bringing together more than 800 brands and nearly 50,000 visitors – including nearly 8,000 international visitors (2004 figures) – and enjoys an outstanding reputation with wine-producing communities all over the world. In recent years the sector has been undergoing far-reaching changes, and as a result VINITECH has developed a vital role in identifying and interpreting key economic, political and social factors affecting its markets.

• VINITECH is now moving from a strategy which may have seemed elitist (“great wines need great technology”) towards a strategy that is explicitly pluralist and inclusive – “A world of exchanges in a changing world”. This strategic shift has been deliberately undertaken in order to strengthen the exhibition’s market positioning and to ensure the optimum commercial and promotional impact for exhibitors’ brands and businesses.

Vincent Grenié, the Exhibition Manager, underlines the significance of the new strategy: “Our aim was to help with the shift towards a new paradigm in the viticulture and wine-making sector in France and worldwide. The new strategy highlights Vinitech’s role as a global exhibition meeting the changing needs of the sector as a whole – this has always been the key factor underpinning our leadership and our expertise. This is a vital and challenging time for the sector. ”

He continues: “And we are taking the necessary steps to meet these challenges: in upcoming sessions of VINITECH everyone involved in the vine growing and wine-making sectors will be able to come to the event and identify solutions that will help to grow their business and develop their practice and vision for the future – whatever their product, whether their production is small-scale or industrial, wine or spirits. The exhibition will offer a world of ideas – it will be a source of inspiration and practical solutions, as well as a place for exchanging ideas, for dialogue and for an overview of key trends in the sector. The core mission of our exhibition is the same as it always was: functioning as a platform for all vine-growers, showcasing innovation and the latest vine-growing and wine-making technologies. But now we are expanding and refocusing our strategy, emphasising a passion for wine that is fully inclusive in its outlook – it’s a vitally important shift of focus.”

VINITECH 2006 will be launching a new layout which is designed to reflect and respond to the day-to-day needs of professionals in the sector. The innovative arrangement spans all production methods and incorporates talks and discussions addressing key challenges, future strategies and local issues.

The new exhibition layout: reflecting the 3 stages of the wine-making process

Vineyards and vine-growing: tractors, tillage and maintenance equipment, nurseries, plant protection, fertilisers, pruning equipment, harvesting equipment.

Wine-making and expertise: crop transport and handling equipment, grape processing equipment, vinification and storage vats, laboratory/analysis equipment, must/wine processing products, product handling.

Market trends: bottling equipment, bottles, containers, closures, outer packaging, IT, training, research, finance and insurance.

The themed area:
A special theme for each session, chosen to reflect the latest market developments
This new area will be fully in tune with the latest technical and professional concerns of everyone involved in the sector. VINITECH has set up a dedicated unit to monitor these needs in order to identify the key issue to be addressed in each session.

The building and architecture area: architecture, structural work, finishing and fittings, air conditioning, hygiene, energy, fluids, engineering.
The image and accessories area: tableware, packaging, tasting equipment, wine-waiting equipment, design and graphics, POS resources.

3 new discussion forums: promoting discussion, delivering pragmatic solutions

Innovations and perspectives area: presenting exhibitors’ innovations – including the VINITECH Trophies, with new products presented by category and an overview of trends.

Business advice area: presenting marketing solutions – management and marketing consultancy, lawyers, industrial logistics.

VINITECH 2006 – a world of exchanges in the Ideas Forum
Vinitech 2006 will be more resolutely business-focused than ever, featuring the launch of an inspirational new area, the Ideas Forum:

An international forum celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions in vine-growing and wine-making – now and into the future

The Mondiaviti international colloquium, technical talks, workshops and round-table discussions will make the Ideas Forum a focal point for discussion, sharing expertise and experience around some 50 key themes.

The programme comprises four different elements:

• Workshops lasting one hour – on vine-growing, oenology and marketing.
  Keynote talks: 10 high-profile talks – half of them taking place as part of the
• Mondiaviti international colloquium.
• Forum: a forum for sharing experience and expertise, where exhibitors and operators in the sector can discuss the latest developments and innovations.
• Vision and expertise: an area offering the combined wisdom of 8 to 10 experts from trade organisations.

VINITECH 2006 – supported by a network of experts and partners
VINITECH’s high reputation among professionals in the sector owes a great deal to the partners who have contributed to its development. These international organisations (O.I.V., Union International des Oenologues), technical and scientific organisations (including ITV, INRA, etc.), trade organisations and representative bodies all enjoy a very high standing for their specialist knowledge and their scientific contribution to the sector. They have also been actively involved in developing VINITECH’s new strategy.

In this key economic and social sector, VINITECH is expanding its network of partners, encouraging in particular an increased involvement by public bodies in what is a global communications platform for the entire sector. VINITECH’s aim is to enable all players, including those from the world of politics, to explain their vision, present their initiatives and play their part in optimising communications within the sector as a whole.

Website: vinitech-bordeaux.com

Congrès & Expositions de Bordeaux
(Bordeaux Exhibition Centre)