First Unveiled at the European Parliament in Brussels: A Crossroads of Culture and Commerce
VERONA – As the world turns its gaze towards Verona, Italy, from April 14th to 17th, Vinitaly prepares to unveil its 56th edition in a showcase of unparalleled scale and ambition. This year, Vinitaly, in partnership with ICE-Agency, is set to welcome an unprecedented number of top-buyers – a staggering 1,200 from across the globe, marking a 20% increase from the previous year and a 70% surge from two years ago. This remarkable achievement underscores Vinitaly’s steadfast commitment to elevating the Italian wine industry on the global stage.
Presenting for the first time at the European Parliament in Brussels, the heart of European politics, Veronafiere’s President, Federico Bricolo, emphasized Vinitaly’s crucial role in shining a spotlight on Italian wine. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the global recognition of Italian wine, supported by an extensive worldwide tour aimed at meticulously selecting top buyers. Bricolo highlighted the successful achievement of their target, anticipating not only a record turnout but also a high-quality engagement from attendees. This has been made possible through collaborative efforts with the Italian government, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and the Ministry of Made in Italy, along with embassies and other promotional bodies, notably ICE Agency.
The event is expected to attract participants from 65 countries, with estimates suggesting that around 30,000 international operators from over 140 nations will converge on Vinitaly. The United States leads the pack with over 15% of the guest list, followed closely by other non-EU countries such as Canada, China, and the United Kingdom, collectively accounting for 23% of total arrivals. North America and Europe are the most represented regions among the top buyers, each accounting for 26% of the total, followed by Asia and Oceania, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, and Africa.
Maurizio Danese, CEO of Veronafiere, expressed a strong commitment to supporting the wine sector, recognizing the importance of providing meaningful responses to industry challenges. The event will focus on ‘business’ and the ‘awareness’ of wine’s strategic and cultural significance to the Italian and European economies. A highlight of the event will be the presentation of a study titled “If Italy Loses Its Wine,” examining the socio-economic, touristic, and cultural impact of a hypothetical disappearance of wine from Italy, during the first national day of Made in Italy on April 15th.
With over 4,000 exhibitors and 100,000 square meters of exhibition space fully booked, Vinitaly 2024 is set to be a monumental event. The fair will also feature the 28th edition of Sol, the International Olive Oil Trade Show, the Xcellent Beers showcase, and the 25th Enolitech, the International Exhibition of Wine, Olive Oil, and Beer Production Technologies. In total, nearly 4,300 companies from 30 countries will participate, spanning 17 pavilions.
The press conference held at the European Parliament in Brussels was attended by notable figures, including Ignacio Sánchez, Secretary General of CEEV, and John Barker, Director General of OIV, further highlighting the event’s significance and the collective effort to promote Italian wine on a global scale. As Vinitaly 2024 approaches, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a landmark event in the world of wine, offering a unique blend of tradition, innovation, and international collaboration.
