As well as being heralded as the ‘Make or Break’ Year for the London Wine Fair, It had been said that this year’s London Wine Fair would be ‘All about the wine’, and it certainly looked to be the case from where we were stood. New specialist sections Esoterica and Brewhouse had been introduced for smaller wine and beer producers to showcase their products. Described as ‘insanely busy’ by one producer, it certainly looked very popular.
A lot of excitement and buzz had been generated by the move back to central London at Olympia, and if the queues to get in on day one were anything to go by, it seems to have brought an increase in visitor numbers. An 18% increase in exhibitors over last year, with some citing the move from Docklands as the biggest contributing factor. Unique visitors numbered 11,242, not including buyers from exhibiting companies. So it looks as though LWF Show Director Ross Carter may be spared having to get the LWF logo “tattooed somewhere” as was his threat if visitor numbers reached 11,500.
Tuesday was the Drinks Business Awards, big congratulations to TVision client Liberty Wines, who won both categories they were nominated for, On Trade Supplier and Drinks Company of the year.
Some of our own clients were among those attracted back to the Wine Fair this year, and it was great to be able to see what they have to offer in terms of wines and products, Mentzendorff, Enotria, Ehrmanns and Hallgarten all had a big presence
A quick break away from ‘manning’ the stand, and amusement came in the form of a London taxi set up as a photobooth. In connection with PLB wines, Thimbleberry Gift Company was promoting their personalised bottle labels. You can see Nicki and Steph’s efforts below!
See you at the LWF 2015, in the slightly earlier slot of 18-20th May 2015. If you can’t wait that long, please Contact Us or read more about The Wine System.
