International Wine and Spirits Exhibition-Vinitaly

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The 42nd Vinitaly in 2008 offers a blend that perfectly matches the needs of business with glamour in an event that is increasingly appreciated by clients all over the world: exhibitors, buyers, trade operators. 3-7 April 2008 - the show event in the world dedicated to wine returns, after having confirmed in 2007 its international leadership, with 38 thousand international operators out of of total of 145 thousand from 101 countries at the last edition in April 2007 (+15% compared to 2006), not the least thanks to the initiatives promoted by the Vinitaly World Tour involving the most interesting international markets (USA, China, Japan, India and Russia).

The list of exhibitors maintains the figures for the last edition of Vinitaly, that attracted about 4,300 companies from 32 countries over an area that - thanks to expansion in 2006 and 2007 - now total 86 thousand square metres net. Confirmation by all companies present in 2007 bears witness to impressive exhibitor appreciation for the event, by now close to 100%.

Support for the strategic approaches of Italian companies. 2008 will be an important year for wine, with the introduction of the new Common Market Organisation in this sector. Vinitaly - which welcomed the first official visit to Italy by the European Commissioner for Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel who presented in 2006 the guidelines per the CMO - is by now the ideal place for analysis and development of economic and strategic policies in the sector for near future.

VeronaFiere - an integrated system recognised by the EU. 2008-2010: VeronaFiere will be the actuator of EU finance totalling 4 million euro for the promotion of quality European wines in China, India and Russia alongside the Italian Wine Union. The European Union thereby acknowledges the quality, innovation and organisation achieved in the initiatives organised by VeronaFiere as an asset going far beyond national spheres.

"The role of the exhibition in providing support for internationalisation is acknowledged by institutions, " said Luigi Castelletti, President of VeronaFiere, "but is especially recognised by companies. A survey conducted in the last few months by Nomisma/VeronaFiere for Agrifood, the direct exhibition dedicated to Made in Italy foodstuffs, based on direct interviews with Veronese wine-making companies involved in exports sees the exhibition take first place as authoritative support for success on international markets."

Genius Wines. The idea of an integrated system between the exhibition centre and professional organisations serving companies is also the basis for Genius Wines, the consortium between VeronaFiere, Federvini and UIV presented at Vinitaly in 2007. Objectives include the identification of new outlet markets and the promotion of Italian produce.

Vinitaly 2008, between business and glamour. Organisation work for Vinitaly 2008 is in full swing to bring international buyers to Italy and thereby further expand the offering of international and qualified contacts for exhibitors. This is one of the selling points of the Veronese event, which in recent editions has provided 33 effective contacts per company compared to 11-15 for competitor exhibitions and a percentage of wholesalers/importers-exporters/agents totalling 63% of international visitors.

The meeting between supply and demand is also promoted by on-line matching through the site www.vinitaly.comthe reserved areas in both fields, alongside the initiative successfully launched in 2007 named Taste Italy, have enabled the best Italian companies to present, through an innovative dispenser system, to 5,000 international operators and the trade press selected by Vinitaly their "top products" and "new products" of the year.

The blend of glamour and business is also promoted in all the prestigious tastings that many for years have characterised the days of the event, from Tasting Ex…Press, a tour of the world and international wines through guided tastings with impressive technical and cultural content, to Taste and Dream;, with major "verticals" of selected Italian wines focusing on excellence, through to Trendy Today, Big Tomorrow presenting the top emerging Italian companies, and Grappa & C. Tasting, which in turn is associated with the Vinitaly Grappa Tasting Award.

Tradition, innovation and promotion through Vinitaly competitions. Initiatives that over the years have combined tradition and innovation to ensure services for companies include the International Wine Competition, scheduled 26-30 March 2008 with the 16th edition organised in collaboration with Assoenologi. As of 2007, in short, the competition and its customary selectivity - with only 105 medals awarded out of more than 3, 500 participants from 30 different countries - the prestige of the Award will include new and targeted action to ensure even better commercial visibility of prize-winning wines.

These include an agreement between VeronaFiere and the exclusive Japanese distribution chain Isetan, which last October saw the creation of a sales corner for wines winning awards in the Competition in Isetan stores in Tokyo. Here, in just one week, sales of Italian wine improved by more than 100% compared to the previous year.

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