Australia’s $4.2 billion wine sector’s recent growth has been promising, and its future will be the subject of robust discussion when the country’s leading wine grape growers, winemakers, suppliers and marketers meet for a landmark three-day event in Adelaide in July.
WineTech 2015, the nation’s flagship wine sector trade show, will address national and global influences on demand, capability and competitiveness in a sector that is vitally important to the economy and jobs in agriculture, tourism and hospitality.
As part of the WineTech 2015 program, Andreas Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Wine Australia, will speak at a luncheon on Thursday, 16 July hosted by Wine Industry Suppliers Australia.
At the luncheon, Mr Clark will outline the peak body’s five year strategic plan.
Grape growers, winemakers and the Australian Government fund Wine Australia to invest in research, development and marketing to grow domestic and global markets for Australian wine.
Last week, while announcing the permanent appointment of Brian Walsh as Chair of Wine Australia, the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, said the organisation had identified key objectives, priorities and strategies for the next five years at a critical point for the wine sector.
According to export figures released by Wine Australia in April, in the 12 months to March 2015, Australian wine was exported to 123 destinations by 1,385 exporters with the majority of them recording volume growth.
The increase in volume was aided to some degree by the depreciating Australian dollar and growth in major export markets, including Europe, Asia and North America.
When the figures were released, Mr Clark said Australia was reaping benefits from the start of the Japanese free trade agreement, a rebound in the Chinese market from austerity measures, and improved economic conditions in two of our biggest export markets – the United States and the United Kingdom.
WineTech 2015 will be facilitated by Wine Industry Suppliers Australia (WISA) in a dynamic trade floor exhibition and associated seminar and free presentation program. It is supported by peak bodies Wine Australia, Wine Grape Growers Australia and Winemakers’ Federation of Australia along with Wine Communicators of Australia.
“WineTech 2015 will be a critically important event for all levels of the industry, and it is perfect timing with Wine Australia’s strategic announcements,” said WISA Executive Officer, Matthew Moate.
“The event will lay exciting new foundations in knowledge sharing, networking, purchasing and marketing power for all sectors of the Australian wine industry.
“More than 150 suppliers are currently booked for the trade floor exhibition that will showcase products and technologies designed to enhance the operational capacity of businesses in the wine grape growing and winemaking regions.
“Supporting the trade exhibition is a strategic WISA seminar program and floor show presentations with outstanding speakers addressing issues that will help to springboard the Australian wine industry towards its objectives.
“The presentation by Andreas Clark at WineTech 2016 on 16 July will provide vital insights into the future. The luncheon event is co-hosted by the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia, the official charity partner of Wine Industry Suppliers Australia.”
For more information on WineTech 2015 and the WISA/Leukaemia Foundation luncheon, go to the website www.winetechaustralia.com.au
