Vinitech-Sifel, the wine industry's premier event, is a key meeting place for all those involved.
Emmanuel Viollet, who has been in charge of the show for nearly two years, takes a closer look at this multi-faceted show that is not afraid to ask questions.
What is the DNA of Vinitech-Sifel?
The DNA of Vinitech-Sifel is that of networking, with the entire wine industry coming together, as well as professionals from the fruit and vegetable sectors. The show is the embodiment of the supply and demand market, offering a rare moment when buyers can have access to all the information they need, concentrated in one place. No other medium brings together so much content! Vineyard equipment, cellar and winery equipment, bottling and packaging... In 2022, the event brought together almost 45,000 professionals. These included 850 exhibitors from France and abroad, and visitors from all over the world. It's a success story that brings together a wide range of complementary profiles, since exhibitors can meet with everyone in the company, from technical directors to cellar masters, marketing directors and more.
Preparations are underway for the 2024 edition of the Show, which will take place from 26 to 28 November. What's new for this edition?
One of the biggest innovations is undoubtedly the launch of the ‘Marketing’ Centre. This proposal responds to a need among visitors, which is why we want to enhance the offers at the ‘downstream’ stage. Wine is produced, but how can it be promoted in an increasingly complex commercial environment? The market is not the same as it was a few years ago. This new section will support those who market wine, with a range of new exhibitors including specialist communication agencies, consultants, transport and logistics, etc. Vinitech-Sifel offers a strategic approach to this issue, which will also be reflected in the conference series with its ‘export’ themes.
As in previous years, innovation will play a key role at the heart of the show...
78% of our visitors come to Vinitech-Sifel to discover innovations. This is a fundamental mission for the industry, which we are carrying out with the help of the Scientific and Technical Committee (CST), and which forms the core of the programme of conferences and open forums on offer to participants. In line with the launch of the new cluster, the Innovation Awards will therefore be awarding a prize in the ‘Bringing to market’ category. The Start-up Village is France's largest gathering of innovative start-ups in this sector, with 50 companies taking part. This year's event will feature a redesigned layout to showcase these companies and their solutions.
What are the main challenges facing exhibitors and visitors to the show today?
There are many, but the first is adapting to climatic hazards. This is the major concern: how do you save your harvest? These days, you can lose everything in a hailstorm. In fact, it's also a variation on the question of transition, an omnipresent social theme at our show. It's all about producing differently by changing the way production is conducted as a whole, limiting inputs while respecting the economic constraints of the industry. Vinitech-Sitel is in tune with current societal trends, such as no-low alcohol, the potential of robotisation and AI in the vineyard, new containers, etc.
