The inaugural USA Trade Tasting (www.USATradeTasting.com) is ready to rock the industry with a radical new spin on beverage alcohol trade shows in the U.S. The event is slated to take place March 21-23, 2016 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.
“The U.S. is the most important wine, spirits, beer and cider market in the world, but it lacks a truly national, independent trade show,” said Sid Patel, President of Beverage Trade Network and the creator of the event. “Equally important, there’s a corresponding need for suppliers to understand and learn how to navigate the complexities of the U.S. market.”
The USA Trade Tasting addresses both those needs with a three-part program:
1. Mar. 21, 22: A two-day walk around wine/spirit/beer/cider tasting on multiple floors with over 180 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. Register at: http://bit.ly/1RBpFvB
2. Mar. 22: Innovative “Brand Pitch” sessions. Our industry’s very own riff on Shark Tank where 16 individual producers are put on center stage in front of a room full of importers and wholesalers with 15 minutes to tell their story. Register at: http://bit.ly/1QgFgxp
3. Mar. 23 A full day educational conference specifically designed to provide practical tools, techniques and strategies that attendees can put to use right away. Register at: http://bit.ly/1lz5CQr
“In many ways we’ve modeled the USA Trade Tasting on ProWein, Vinitaly and Vinexpo,” said Steve Raye, President of Bevology, Inc. and an organizer of the event. “The focus is on providing every level of the trade —exhibitors, participants and attendees—with something of value.”
The walk around tasting will provide an opportunity to taste and talk to new brands and suppliers, many never before exhibited in the U.S. The Brand Pitch sessions will empower presenters and audience to convert a tasting session into a purchase session. And the conference will provide attendees with a comprehensive grounding with the specific information they need including things such as:
• Top ten tips for a successful brand launch by John Beaudette, President of MHW Ltd.
• How to build an all-star sales team by Josh Wand, President of BevForce
• How to manage and grow your import and distribution business by Rob Bradshaw, President and COO of Cape Classics
• Panel discussion providing an inside look into industry trends and how distributors and importers choose brands with Scott Ades EVP/COO of Winebow, Giacomo Turone SVP of Palm Bay, Jim Ryan, SVP of Constellation.
• A panel on the changing industry trade media landscape with Tish, Executive Editor of Beverage Media, David Ransom, editor at Tasting Panel, Gregg Glaser publisher of Modern Distillery Age, and Felicity Carter, editor-in-chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International.
Registration and details at: www.USATradeTasting.com
