Decision not to unite Vinisud and Millésime Bio branded 'damaging'

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 09 March, 2017

Efforts to unite two international trade shows have been thwarted after there was a disagreement over whether they should both take place under one roof.

Talks to hold Mediterranean wine show Vinisud and world organic wine fair Millésime Bio on similar dates reached a disharmonious conclusion this week, after Millésime Bio organisers Sudvinbio said they would be heading into 2018 alone.

Organisers of Vinisud, who were eager to settle on combined dates, called the decision 'damaging' and said it would have a 'detrimental impact' on stakeholders.

"The idea of holding Vinisud and Millésime Bio on similar dates, put forward by Vinisud in 2014, offered a real opportunity and a unique chance to build synergies between two complementary trade fairs held under the same roof and serving the interests of the entire industry," a spokesperson for the show said.

"Following Sudvinbio's blunt refusal to synchronise dates and its strategic decisions that will shape the future of Millésime Bio and put an end to any further discussion, Vinisud's organisers have taken due note of the announcement. Sudvinbio's unequivocal stance, without consultation between organisers, is regrettable."

Last year, Vinisud entered a request to hold its show on the same dates as Millésime Bio within the Montpellier Exhibition Centre - effectively combining the two shows.

This year, Sudvinbio decided to abandon the Montpellier Exhibition Centre for its 2017 edition, ceding the halls it had booked with Montpellier Events to allow Vinisud to take place.

It has now made a separate agreement with the centre to hold Millésime Bio there for at least five years rom 2018 to 2022, on dates which will not clash with Vinisud.

A spokesperson said this agreement seals the "independence of the event and protects its specific identity and organisation".

Vinisud reported that in a satisfaction survey following its 2017 show at the end of January, 83% of exhibitors and 82% of visitors supported similar dates for the fairs which are both based in Montpelier.

Vinisud, which is the leading fair for wines across southern Europe, attracted 20,000 visitors to its most recent show at the end of January.

It is a platform for Mediterranean vignerons to grow their business relationships both in France and abroad.

Wines from the Mediterranean currently represent 28.4% of global wine production.

Total production reached 77 million hectolitres in 2014.

In 2015, 36% of Mediterranean wines were exported (29 million hl), generating €8.8bn in global export revenue, a 5.8% rise compared with 2013.

Vinisud organisers said they would now focus on next year's show and on continuing to meet the needs of buyers and exhibitors.

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