Big increase in exhibitors at Vinexpo America

The 2023 edition of the annual Vinexpo America, which opens next week in New York City, will be considerably larger than last year’s event, both in terms of exhibitors and trade attendees, according to Beckie Kier, event director for Diversified Communications, which stages the event.

“We are actually up by 31% on exhibits, and pre-registration is running 25% ahead of last year,” Kier says. “Additionally, there will be several countries participating for the first time, including Denmark, India and Bolivia.”

The event will be held March 8-9 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in west-central Manhattan, with on-site registration beginning at 8 a.m. both days and with exhibition hours running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drinks America is again co- sponsor.

Unlike Vinexpos conducted in other countries, the New York event is targeted solely toward American and Canadian trade, chiefly importers, distributors and retailers, and thus draws a much higher proportion of foreign producers than domestic.

“France will again be a large exhibitor,” Kier says, “with 120 wine and spirits producers taking part. South Africa is coming as a new exhibitor.” As Kier points out, many foreign producers come to the show looking for a U.S. importer, a trade segment well represented among attendees. Some producers who are unsuccessful the first time often return the following year, having learned how better to tell their stories.

The formal part of the program consists of general conference sessions on current business topics, “buzz” sessions or group discussions on a pre-determined topic and master classes, which this year include:
 Garnacha,
 Rhone Valley’s northern crus,
 Ecuadorian chocolates paired with sparkling wines,
 Okinawan Awamori,
 Crus Bourgeois du Medoc,
 New wines from the Old World and
 Riedel glassware

“My favorite time is the morning that the conference opens, and I go out on the floor and see how everyone’s hard work has paid off,” Kier says.