Save the date for the second annual Winebiz Conference which this year will take place at the Spier auditorium on the 30th of August 2012. The Winebiz Conference which focuses on the marketing and sales of wine is aimed at wine marketers, general managers and winery owners.

The conference promises to inspire and transfer knowledge that can be used in the wine industry. The programme will focus on strategy, marketing, sales and sustainability. The conference will bring together local industry leaders and offer great networking opportunities.

Programme Outline (full programme to be released soon)

Strategy:

Innovation in the online space for better brand building
Business and marketing strategies for wineries
My wine business and the new liquor legislation
Winning brands – case study

Marketing & Sales

Brand exposure in the media and running successful press campaigns
Understanding the emerging wine market
Wine and Social Media
Powerful email marketing strategies & tactics
How to get your wines listed – talk with supermarket wine buyers
My wine has been listed – how to get it off the shelf
My wine in restaurants
Get the competitive edge

Sustainability: 

Touchpoints between entertainment, tourism and wine activities,
The consumer law and wine buying behaviors
The value of region/country of origin
Put your best foot forward – optimising cellardoor experience

Highlights include panel discussions, case studies, digital and social marketing. The conference promises industry leading trends and relevant information that can be implemented in your own wine business. The programme line-up includes in-depth talks by wine buyers, journalists, public relations and marketing experts.

The cost of the conference is R1750 and includes lunch and refreshments. Display tables can be booked for R2750 and includes one conference package. Tickets can be purchased at www.winebiz.co.za or from CADEK Media at 021 855 4750 or info@cadek.co.za

2011 Winebiz Conference kicks off to a great start

The first annual Winebiz Conference that was held at the Erinvale Hotel in Somerset West on 26 and 27 July 2011. Wine marketers, general managers and winery owners gathered to listen to the 16 speakers addressing issues surrounding the marketing and sales in the wine industry. Delivering on its promise, the conference informed and inspired delegates with industry leading trends and relevant information that can be implemented in their own wine businesses.

The first day’s main themes focussed on strategies and marketing. Paul Galatis from Yuppiechef started the proceedings with a great talk on how customer service will change the world. He was followed by speakers Ross Sleet (Sleet Consultancy), Danie Cronje (Cluver Markotter), Gary Harwood (HKLM), Nicolette Waterford (Waterford Communications), Eion du Toit (Independent Ethnographer) and PJ Veldhuizen (Gillan & Veldhuizen Boutique Law Firm). Godfrey Parkin from Britefire brought the day to a close with an informative session on powerful email marketing strategies.

The second day’s focus was on sales, sustainability, international marketing and wine tourism. One of South Africa’s foremost professional speakers, Michael Jackson, acted as the master of ceremonies and also started the day with a session titled: ‘The hard sell of…marketing’. Other speakers included: Gareth Pearson (BMI Research), Nikki Dumas (Winestyle.biz), Tim Keys (The Sales Institute), Ross Sleet (Sleet Consultancy), Mike Ratcliffe (Warwick Wines / Vilafonte Vineyards) and Andre Morgenthal (WOSA). The much anticipated Francois Rautenbach from Singita Game Reserve brought the conference to a close with a session on how to optimise a winery’s cellar door experiences.

Social media is a hot topic at the moment and it was addressed throughout the conference. Delegates showed their readiness to embrace social media in the wine industry and regularly tweeted on the #winebiz. Alana Mellet (@AlanaMellet) sums up the conference with her tweet: “Thanks a mil for a great and fresh #Winebiz conference! Looking forward to 2012…”

The Winebiz websites also serves as a wine industry online news portal and interested parties can learn more about next year’s conference, other events the industry by visiting www.winebiz.co.za and signing up for the e-newsletter. The organisers, CADEK Media, can be contacted via 021 855 4750 or info@cadek.co.za.