At the International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show (IBWSS), Todd Azevedo, a Wine & Grape Broker and Partner at Ciatti, will present on "Global Bulk Trends and Opportunities." Azevedo will highlight current trends in the bulk wine market, identifying key regions and varieties that are in demand. He will discuss the factors driving these trends, such as climate change and consumer preferences. Azevedo will also explore opportunities for producers and brokers to capitalize on these trends, offering strategic insights into navigating the global market. The presentation aims to equip attendees with the knowledge to make informed decisions in the bulk wine industry.

Alexander Braun, Chief Executive Officer of Hillebrand Gori, will provide the latest updates on global logistics movements, covering current challenges and industry trends. Alex will address supply chain disruptions, the impact of geopolitical events, and technological advancements in logistics. Additionally, he will share strategies for optimizing logistics operations to improve the efficiency and reliability of transporting bulk wine and spirits across international markets.

At the International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show (IBWSS), Lee Morse, Technical Product Manager at Scott Laboratories, will present "Enhancing Overall Quality: Additives to Make Your Wine Stand Out from the Crowd." Attendees will gain invaluable insights into cutting-edge wine additives that can significantly improve flavor, aroma, and stability. This presentation offers a unique opportunity to learn how to differentiate your wine in a competitive market using high-quality, scientifically-backed additives. Don't miss out on practical tips and expert advice that can elevate your winemaking process and product quality.

The insightful panel discussion "Restaurants Chain Buyers Panel" will bring together key industry leaders to share their expertise and perspectives on wine and beverage purchasing for restaurant chains. The panelists include:

Cami Lehmann, Director of Marketing at Maggiano’s Little Italy at Brinker International, who will offer insights into marketing and promoting wine selections to enhance the dining experience and drive sales.
Rachel Lowe, Director of Beverage Operations at Levy Restaurants, who will focus on operational considerations and the importance of aligning beverage offerings with overall restaurant concepts.
Maurice DiMarino, Wine and Beverage Manager at Cohn Restaurant Group, who will share best practices for managing supplier relationships and ensuring consistent quality and value in wine and beverage programs.

Together, these experts will provide a comprehensive look at the key factors influencing wine and beverage purchasing decisions in the restaurant industry, from selection and marketing to operations and supplier management.

The "Bottlers Panel: What Bottlers are Looking for in Bulk Buying" will provide valuable insights from prominent figures in the bottling industry on their criteria and considerations when purchasing bulk wine. The panelists include:

Manveer Sandhu, Director of Winemaking at Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, who will share his expertise on the importance of quality control and consistency in bulk wine selections to ensure the production of premium bottled wines.
Cathy Ference, Sr. Manager of Bulk Wine Supply at Constellation Brands, who will offer insights into strategic sourcing practices and the role of market trends in bulk wine purchasing decisions.
Noël Schaff, B2B Sales Manager at O'Neill Vintners and Distillers, who will focus on the commercial aspects of bulk wine buying, including logistical considerations and the impact of supply chain dynamics on purchasing strategies.

Together, these industry leaders will provide a comprehensive overview of what bottlers prioritize when selecting bulk wine, sharing their experiences and best practices to help attendees understand the critical elements of successful bulk wine procurement.

Christian Deakin, the Product Development Manager at BevZero, will be presenting a masterclass on "Crafting Flavorful Dealcoholized Wines." In this session, Deakin will delve into the art and science of creating high-quality dealcoholized wines. He will cover key techniques and technologies used in the dealcoholization process, focusing on how to preserve the essential flavors and aromas that define great wines. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities in this growing segment of the wine industry, learning best practices for maintaining the integrity and complexity of wines while reducing or eliminating alcohol content. Deakin’s expertise promises to provide valuable knowledge for winemakers and industry professionals interested in expanding their portfolios with flavorful, dealcoholized options.

Chris Swonger, President & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, will provide a forward-looking perspective on the distilled spirits industry with his presentation, "Spirits Trends Moving Into 2024 and 2025." His session will highlight key trends and challenges, offering major takeaways:

Highlighting DISCUS's Role: Swonger will emphasize the pivotal role that DISCUS plays in supporting the distilled spirits industry, including advocacy, research, and industry promotion.

Policy Issues and Challenges: He will educate the audience on the major policy issues and challenges currently facing the industry, such as regulatory changes, trade barriers, and market access concerns.

Audience Involvement: Swonger will outline how individuals and businesses can get involved in supporting the distilled spirits industry, including participation in advocacy efforts, staying informed about policy developments, and contributing to industry initiatives.
Attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of the distilled spirits sector and actionable insights on how they can contribute to its continued growth and success.

In this talk, Bruce Abbott's will go deeper into the below 5 ways, with examples and explanations that producers can work with national and regional chains. Followed by a Q and A session.

1. Tradition model

2. Clearance model

3. Private label

4. Control label

5. Exclusive label

Currently, Bruce is the President of Liquor Stores USA North Inc. Prior to this, he worked at the largest alcohol retailer in Alaska, Brown Jug, as the category manager for spirits. He was in charge of choosing over 7,000 wines and spirits for 21 retail locations, organizing public tastings, creating control-brand wine programs, and choosing whiskey barrels for the network.

Jensen Amy, Central Coast Business Manager at Enartis USA, will present on "Technical Advancements in Wine Blending." Her talk will delve into the latest innovations and techniques revolutionizing wine blending, focusing on cutting-edge technologies that enhance precision and consistency, innovative approaches to improving flavor profiles, and effective quality control methods. Attendees will gain practical insights into how these advancements can be applied in winemaking to produce superior, high-quality blended wines.

Dr. Elizabeth Tomasino, Associate Professor of Enology at Oregon State University, will present at the IBWSS 2024 Conference in San Francisco on "Blending of Smoke-Tainted Wines into Bulk Wines and What the Lab Analysis Means." Her talk will address strategies to mitigate smoke taint effects through blending, helping winemakers salvage affected products while maintaining quality. She will also highlight the importance of lab analysis in detecting and quantifying smoke compounds, providing essential guidance for effective blending decisions. This session offers valuable insights for wine producers and enologists facing the challenges of smoke-tainted wines