SACRAMENTO, Calif., January 28, 2016 – Ready to tap into the latest technology, trends and innovations shaping their industry, thousands of wine and grape industry professionals from all over the world attended the 22nd Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, which concluded its three-day run in Sacramento today.
Presented since 1994 by two nonprofit organizations, the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), the Unified’s growing importance highlights the wine industry’s critical need for current data and information.
“Starting this year’s Unified with Fred Franzia’s (CEO of Bronco Winery) luncheon address was as clear a statement as any that this event has become the single most important yearly gathering of wine industry leaders and decision makers,” explains John Aguirre, CAWG president
Total attendance this year was 13,800, with increased numbers for both the Tuesday luncheon, with 409 attending, and program session attendance at 1,500. As the largest event of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the event gives industry professionals a unique opportunity to hear from experts on a wide range of emerging wine, winegrape and marketing issues. In addition, they can visit over 650 exhibitors spread across 170,000 square feet of trade show floor.
“For over two decades the Unified has been built on having a solid informational program,” said Dan Howard, ASEV executive director. “With presentations by experts from around the world and a huge trade show, the Unified has become the annual gathering place where people from the entire industry can meet to reconnect with their peers and get all the information they need to start the new year.”
The Unified’s signature “State of the Industry” session on Wednesday morning delivered some of the most sought after perspectives on emerging marketing and production trends. This year, speaking to a standing-room only audience, the session’s panel of experts forecasted a positive year ahead for high-end wine sales.
While the Unified focuses primarily on American winemaking and winegrape production, over 30 countries are represented among the guests and exhibitors, underscoring the international flavor of the event. Each day includes sessions featuring expert panels addressing four topic areas: grape growing, winemaking, marketing/public relations and business/operations.
Jointly organized by the ASEV and CAWG, the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium represents the collective experience, knowledge and background of the entire industry. The 2017 Unified will once again be held at the Sacramento Convention Center and is slated for January 24-26. For additional information, visit the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium’s website at www.unifiedsymposium.org.
