Are you tired of an archaically regulated industry controlling your ability to sell your wines, beers, ciders and spirits to American consumers? Would you like to taste beverages you might otherwise never taste from multiple, diverse regions all in the same venue? Are you a producer looking for an importer so you can break into the American market? If so, mark your calendar to attend the USA Trade Tasting at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City on March 21-23, 2016.
So often I attend trade tastings and find wines I really love, only to learn I cannot get them in Texas. Just last week at the three-city #SimplyProvence Wines of Provence tasting, I met attorney Emmanuelle Baude and tasted her lovely Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence rosés from Domaine Tour Campanets. But alas I can merely recommend her award-winning wines, because no one imports them to the U.S. Texans would especially love her blends of Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, but until she finds an importer, restaurants, consumers, and retailers are out of luck. Additionally, I met the very charming Magoli Combard, who shared her family's wines of Domaine Saint André de Figuière red, white and rosés from Côtes de Provence La Londe. While available in other states, she seeks a Texas importer.
Ms. Baude, Ms. Combard and producers like her need the know-how from this program modeled on VinItaly, ProWein and Vinexpo, where buyers can connect with sellers in a way that plays by the rules in the U.S. They need to hear from beverage industry gurus like Steve Ray (President of Bevology, Inc.), W R Tish (Managing Editor, Beverage Media) Michael Votto (CEO, Votto Vines Importing) and Felicity Carter (Editor-in-Chief of Meininger's Wine Business International) to name just a few of the speakers for this innovating conference for Importers, Distributors and Producers to learn about Sales, Distribution, Marketing and Compliance.
What You Will Learn
Here is a sampling of topics to be covered at the USATT:
- How to manage and grow your importing and distribution business
- How to pitch your brand to independent bottle shops
- How to pitch your brand to press: 10 do's and don'ts
- How to influence mixologists and sommeliers to grow your brand on-premise
- How to create effective retail merchandising programs that work in retail
- Social media 101: Practical tips
- What to cover in your distribution agreements
- How to build a national brand in the US market
- How to build an all star sales teams
Whether you are a craft distillery, craft brewery or a boutique winery just starting out, a sales professional at an importer/distributor or an established beverage company, or simply a beverage industry pro who simply wants to expand her skill set and gain new perspective, the USATT Conference looks like the perfect event for you. Just look at all these exhibitors!
Conference to include three parts:
- Tastings: A two-day tasting of wines from a wide range of countries, regions, producers and importers: Italy, Spain, Australia, France, Germany, South Africa. Slovenia is coming as is Sweden (presenting a cider). There will be a parallel track of masterclasses on the wines of Australia, South Africa and New York State.
- Presentations: A full day of presentations, panels and discussions on the critical issues and changes taking place in our industry. Some high-profile names will be speaking including Danny Brager of Nielsen, Jim Ryan of Constellation, Rob Bradshaw of Cape Classics, Josh Wand of Bev Force, Giacomo Turone of Palm Bay, Scott Ades of Winebow, John Beaudette of MHW among them, emcee'd by Steve Raye.
- Brand Pitch Sessions: The beverage industry’s very own riff on Shark Tank where four different–and very lucky–producers will get 15 minutes to pitch their products to interested importers and distributors. My inside source tells me "Trust me, this is going to be QUITE entertaining!"
Sponsors to date include Beverage Trade Network, BevForce, Bevology, Colangelo & Partners, Craft Beverage Jobs, IWSR, Luigi Bormioli, MHW Ltd, NY Wine & Grape Foundation, Park Street, The Eastern Winery Exposition, The Grapevine Consulting VinePair, Wine Industry Insight, Wine Industry Network, Wines of South Africa, and Wines of Vinho Verde. Find out how to become a sponsor here.
Media Partners to date include Artisan Spirit, Beverage Media Group, Distillery Trail, Drinks International, Food & Beverage Magazine, Meininger's Wine Business International, MicroShiner, Modern Distillery Age, The Beverage Journal, The Somm Journal, The Tasting Panel, Wine & Craft Beverage News.
The three-day event which includes two-days of tasting is limited to Trade Visitors only. These are primarily people responsible for buying or selecting wine, beer, cider or spirits for their businesses, and media. In particular, the conference and tasting is for distributors, importers, restaurants, shops, bars and caterers. A valid form of ID may be requested upon entry. Master Classes and Brand Pitch Sessions are for licensed importers and distributors only. Tickets for the Grand Tasting, Pitch Sessions and Master Classes available for purchase, and an Early Bird Discount is available through February 29th.
For tickets follow these links:
- Trade Tasting Walk-around Mon/Tues Mar. 21/22: http://bit.ly/1RBpFvB
- USATT Conference, Wed. Mar. 23: http://bit.ly/1lz5CQr
Cheers!
The WineWonkette
