Change at the top at Vinexposium

During a “packed” edition of Wine Paris, Rodolphe Lameyse told db of his new role, the “tried and tested” Vinexposium colleagues stepping up to the plate and the challenges of a growing show.

This year’s edition of Wine Paris ended yesterday, and brought the news that it would be Rodolphe Lameyse’s last show as Vinexposium CEO. Having been in the role since 2019, he moves to become managing director of the food and beverage division at Comexposium.

Comexposium, in a joint venture with Vinexpo Holdings since 2019, has run events including Vinexpo shows, Wine Paris and World Bulk Wine Exhibition, so Lameyse will still have responsibilities for these events. However, in his new role, he will likewise oversee food shows such as SIAL Paris and Gourmet Selection.

His move means added prominence for two existing members of the Vinexposium team: Nicolas Cuissard, Wine Paris director, and Grace Ghazale, overseas events director.

Speaking to db at Wine Paris at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, Lameyse described the pair as “tried and tested” colleagues who have developed within the organisation and understand its needs.

“We have a fantastic team, which we have built year-on-year,” he commented. “I can relax with this excellent team in place.”

The pressure of success

Among the reasons Lameyse gave for his move was, in fact, the success of Wine Paris. Having grown to become the world’s largest international wine show, Lameyse admitted that he would not have the opportunity to manage it – not to mention Vinexposium’s other shows – on an everyday basis.

“It is packed, and we have so many people here,” he commented. The team’s preliminary numbers for attendance, for instance, indicated a 20% increase in Monday visitors compared to 2025.

One item for Cuissard’s in-tray will therefore be to maintain Wine Paris’ success without losing its identity.

Lameyse explained that, although there is still comfortable room for growth in visitor numbers, the demand for exhibitor space is already prompting creative solutions. Until the refurbishment of Hall 3 is completed, Wine Paris will seek to open more usable space across the pavilions to ensure exhibitors are accommodated.

Alongside a growing enthusiasm among international exhibitors, the pressure is on thanks to the new co-located shows for 2026, Be No and Be Spirits. Although co-located within the Porte de Versailles centre, the two shows arrived with their own identities, spaces and events programmes.

It is the realisation of Lameyse’s long-held ambition to build the spirits offering. “I thought, one day we will reach a full show size, and now we’re there,” he explained.

For the moment, Lameyse and Cuissard seem buzzing from the show’s success and the optimism that exhibitors and visitors brought. Lameyse even joked – perhaps uncharacteristically – that he was allowing himself a moment to relax.

However, a year is a short time when you have a global event to plan, and even success can be a double-edged sword. Lameyse is conscious that he and Cuissard will have a duty to protect the show, as well as to grow it.

“We don’t wait to have a gigantic trade show. We don’t want to lose our soul, our DNA,” he said. “This is Wine Paris – it is a human event.”

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