Speakers & Panelists

Thirty years ago, medals from wine competitions were essential marketing and merchandising tools for wine producers, distributors, retailers, and restaurateurs. But the ‘numbers game’ now dominates wine sales and marketing efforts worldwide. But are rumors of ‘the death of wine competitions’ premature?
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

For decades, French cuisine was considered the pinnacle of sophisticated dining. Yet Italian restaurants—from pizzerias to luxury Italian restaurants—vastly outnumber French ones in the US. Isn’t it time to admit the obvious: that la Cucina Italiana is the ‘new French’?
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

Sagrantino di Montefalco is one of Italy’s greatest red wines. But Rosso di Montefalco, based on Sangiovese, is also produced here, and is an excellent wine in its own right. In this seminar, esteemed Professor Attilio Scienza, Head of Enology Studies at the University of Milan, along with leading Montefalco producers will present a selection of Sagrantino di Montefalco and Rosso di Montefalco wines from the outstanding 2007 and 2006 vintages.
Sponsored by: Consorzio del Sagrantino di Montafalco, Italian Trade Commission-ICE

Senior National Account buyers tell the guests about their companies, including their views on the potential for Italian wines with their National Account organizations and answer questions over a healthy Q&A from the floor.
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

From the fine and delicate sparkling wines of Franciacorta and Oltrepò Pavese to the refreshing whites and rosés of Lake Garda, and to the complex and elegant reds of Valtellina, nestled in the Alps – this will be your opportunity to explore and savor Lombardy’s treasure trove of great wines.
Sponsored by: Region of Lombardy, Italian Trade Commission-ICE

Senior National Account buyers tell the guests about their companies, including their views on the potential for Italian wines with their National Account organizations and answer questions over a healthy Q&A from the floor.
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

How will Italian wines evolve—generally—during the next ten to twenty years, in terms of style, quality, varietal focus, packaging, price, and marketing? And how well received will these ‘future’ Italian wines be in the US market? A ‘blue sky’ look at Italian wines of the future by noted professionals.
By Special Invitation Only
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

For decades, French cuisine was considered the pinnacle of sophisticated dining. Yet Italian restaurants—from pizzerias to luxury Italian restaurants—vastly outnumber French ones in the US. Isn’t it time to admit the obvious: that la Cucina Italiana is the ‘new French’?
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

How will Italian wines evolve—generally—during the next ten to twenty years, in terms of style, quality, varietal focus, packaging, price, and marketing? And how well received will these ‘future’ Italian wines be in the US market? A ‘blue sky’ look at Italian wines of the future by noted professionals.
By Special Invitation Only
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

What does it take to build a profitable Italian wine list? Whether the list is Italian-only, Italian focused, or new-to-Italian, there are many elements necessary to ensure your ‘Italian wine success’—including the selections themselves (which wines? what styles/types? what brands? what price points?) and the extent of your server training. Top on-premise professionals will give you their take on how to be successful with Italian wines in your establishment.
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

The ‘cocktail culture’ is blossoming in the US—and Italian spirits are directly in the thick of it. Versatile, sophisticated, and timeless, Italian spirits have an increasingly important role in American bars, lounges, clubs, restaurants, and hotels. Here’s why—and how.
Sponsored by: FEDERVINI; AMARO LUCANO, NARDINI, DISTILLERIE MOCCIA, LUXARDO, PALLINI, STREGA ALBERTI, TOSCHI VIGNOLA, VARNELLI , VILLA MASSA; Italian Trade Commission-ICE

How will Italian wines evolve—generally—during the next ten to twenty years, in terms of style, quality, varietal focus, packaging, price, and marketing? And how well received will these ‘future’ Italian wines be in the US market? A ‘blue sky’ look at Italian wines of the future by noted professionals.
By Special Invitation Only
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

This session is both a market recap for Italian wine exports to the US, and a discussion about pockets of opportunity for Italian wines in the years ahead. Beyond Prosecco, what is increasing in popularity? What is the next—or is there a ‘next’—Pinot Grigio? Our panel will provide some answers.
Exhibitors only – by Special Invitation
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission -ICE

In the USA, bottled wines from Italy outsell those from all other exporting countries. The enormous range of Italian wines, at every price point and in every style, offers an unsurpassed opportunity to excite, educate, and entertain new and existing customers. This panel will discuss how to do a retail Italian wine section – right!
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

The ‘cocktail culture’ is blossoming in the US—and Italian spirits are directly in the thick of it. Versatile, sophisticated, and timeless, Italian spirits have an increasingly important role in American bars, lounges, clubs, restaurants, and hotels. Here’s why—and how.
Sponsored by: FEDERVINI; AMARO LUCANO, NARDINI, DISTILLERIE MOCCIA, LUXARDO, PALLINI, STREGA ALBERTI, TOSCHI VIGNOLA, VARNELLI , VILLA MASSA; Italian Trade Commission-ICE

This session is both a market recap for Italian wine exports to the US, and a discussion about pockets of opportunity for Italian wines in the years ahead. Beyond Prosecco, what is increasing in popularity? What is the next—or is there a ‘next’—Pinot Grigio? Our panel will provide some answers.
Exhibitors only – by Special Invitation
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission -ICE

For decades, French cuisine was considered the pinnacle of sophisticated dining. Yet Italian restaurants—from pizzerias to luxury Italian restaurants—vastly outnumber French ones in the US. Isn’t it time to admit the obvious: that la Cucina Italiana is the ‘new French’?
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

The ‘cocktail culture’ is blossoming in the US—and Italian spirits are directly in the thick of it. Versatile, sophisticated, and timeless, Italian spirits have an increasingly important role in American bars, lounges, clubs, restaurants, and hotels. Here’s why—and how.
Sponsored by: FEDERVINI; AMARO LUCANO, NARDINI, DISTILLERIE MOCCIA, LUXARDO, PALLINI, STREGA ALBERTI, TOSCHI VIGNOLA, VARNELLI , VILLA MASSA; Italian Trade Commission-ICE

Thirty years ago, medals from wine competitions were essential marketing and merchandising tools for wine producers, distributors, retailers, and restaurateurs. But the ‘numbers game’ now dominates wine sales and marketing efforts worldwide. But are rumors of ‘the death of wine competitions’ premature?
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission-ICE

A panel discussion focusing on authenticity, the power of rapport and why building user-specific, personalized connections is paramount for successful education, marketing and dialogue with Millennial consumers. Panelists from the wine media, trade and social media platforms will explore how to forge meaningful conversations and connections with and among consumers through blogging, branded social media initiatives, and geo-tagging.

This session is both a market recap for Italian wine exports to the US, and a discussion about pockets of opportunity for Italian wines in the years ahead. Beyond Prosecco, what is increasing in popularity? What is the next—or is there a ‘next’—Pinot Grigio? Our panel will provide some answers.
Exhibitors only – by Special Invitation
Sponsored by: Italian Trade Commission -ICE