The ‘Yellow Jersey’ for its 21st edition!
A rise in international visitors from more than 70 countries, the presence of qualified buyers and conferences which were practically packed to capacity over the 3 days of the event: Vinitech-Sifel 2018 has been a great vintage. Despite some disruptions due to the ‘Yellow Vest’ demonstrations, particularly on the first day of the event, the level of business for exhibitors during this edition was excellent.
From 20 to 22 November, the show confirmed the vibrancy of the wine, fruit and vegetable growing sectors, in an era where professionals are faced with new technical, economic, environmental and societal challenges.
Business outlook…optimistic
The level of contacts was considered to be very good, even excellent. When questioned on the spot, some exhibitors had already taken in large orders. This positive result also demonstrates the efficient work done to target and select high-quality visitors nationally and internationally.
Vinitech-Sifel acted as a genuine business booster, even for the smallest structures, such as the newly-formed company THOMAS SARL, which emerged enthusiastically from the event with a full order book and openings in new national and international markets.
In the large-scale equipment sector, a group of producers from Texas arrived with ambitious investment projects and purchased, in particular, a harvesting machine. They will be the first producers to import and use this type of machine in Texas.
Visitor numbers…a rise in international participants
‘A detailed analysis of visitor numbers will tell us more, but we can already confirm good results for the show, despite some disruptions on the first day due to the ‘Yellow Vest’ social movement. This was the direct cause of low visitor numbers from the Charente region. Nevertheless, the visitor rate was very high, with 44,937 professionals, which is similar to the previous edition (45,700 in 2016)’, Delphine DEMADE, the director of the trade show, explains.
Great performance on an international level:
18% international visitors (15% in 2016) and a rise in visitors from all areas with the exception of the Americas (due to Thanksgiving in North America and the OIV congress in Uruguay).
International visitor numbers are growing steadily, with rises of between 20% and 111%. Visitors from Spain dropped by around 25% but the country remains the N°1 international presence. Spain’s proximity meant it was directly impacted by the ‘Yellow Vest’ roadblocks. Many registered participants had to turn back.
TOP 5: SPAIN, ITALY, PORTUGAL, SWITZERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
ISRAEL also joined the top 10 this year with a 62% rise in participants.
Note: The presence of qualified and motivated international participants who visited the show more than once. Vinitech Sifel registered an average of +10% international visitors per day.
Content which meets current economic and environmental issues
‘The show remains a must for professionals looking for innovative solutions and answers. Attendance was excellent for the conferences. Many of them were booked out. This shows that there is a thirst for knowledge and a need for technical references among participants. They come for the quality of the speakers and the content. The acceleration of ecological transition was a major and transversal focus point throughout the show,’ says Christophe RIOU, Co-President of the Vinitech-Sifel Scientific Committee.
Eyes on Georgia and an even more ambitious 22nd edition!
With its sights set on taking innovation beyond France, Vinitech-Sifel launched the VINITECH INNOVATION TOUR during the show. This event was co-created with 3 major players in the wine sector: the Inno’Vin cluster, the Institute of Wine and Vine Science and Interco Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
‘This new programme of actions aims to promote excellence in research and innovations developed for the wine-growing sector, by providing innovative technical solutions and meeting the issues faced by production areas in the countries concerned, such as Georgia for the first edition. Its main role is to export the French and regional wine-growing eco-system on an international scale. The programme is supported by a delegation of scientific experts, companies, suppliers and training institutions,” Delphine DEMADE explains.
The programme will combine BtoB meetings (with a stand at Winexpo Georgia in particular), conferences and round tables on local issues, a workshop, a networking evening and visits to wine estates in the Kakheti region and more. These events mark the beginning of a series of events that will take place in other high-potential destinations such as South or North America.
Next edition in 2020 at the new exhibition hall, set to open in early 2019. With a total surface area of 15,500m2, a covered passage to Hall 1 and direct access from the tram station, the 22nd edition of Vinitech-Sifel will benefit from an overall improvement in the practicality of the venue. An additional asset for Bordeaux Exhibition Centre, which is expanding the city’s reach on a national and international scale.
We await you at Bordeaux Exhibition Centre, from 1 to 3 December 2020 for the next Vinitech-Sifel trade show.
