Wine trade show Vinexpo is set to return to the US in 2009, decanter.com has learned.
Although no exact date has been fixed, Vinexpo director Robert Beynat said the show ‘will return, most likely in 2009’ and stated his preference for a New York venue as opposed to Chicago.
‘New York was the best experience of the two,’ he said.
Both cities have hosted Vinexpo in the past and although Beynat is keen to return to one of the biggest wine markets in the world, he is hoping the economic, political and social climate will be more stable than it was for previous events.
‘In 2002, in New York it was after the Trade Center attacks and when we were in Chicago, the US had just attacked Iraq,’ said Beynat. ‘And over the next few years who knows what will happen to the dollar?’
Also talking to decanter.com about this year’s event in Bordeaux, Beynat said the layout of the wine show will be changed significantly.
The Club des Marques, a collection of brand stands outside of the main air-conditioned hall hosting the Vinexpo wine show in Bordeaux, will be moved to the lake side of the hall.
The number of brands taking up residence in the Club des Marques has dwindled in the past few years, from 16 to nine. Interest in the club, on the part of producers and visitors, was hindered by the lack of air-conditioning.
Beynat is hoping the new 20-stand, air-conditioned Club des Marques will revive the area.
The restaurant area moves to the other side of the building in a straight swap of location with the Club. The restaurants will remain without air-conditioning.
Beynat also mentioned further plans for Vinexpo including a projected ‘lake franchise’ which would include boats and a bridge for visitors and exhibitors. Although he would not go into the details of the project, he said he would soon be on a trip to the US to discuss the construction elements of the franchise.
Written by Oliver Styles
