Unified Wine & Grape Symposium

Unified Wine & Grape Symposium planners are ramping up for the opening of the industry’s largest trade show, when more than 12,000 people from 10 countries are expected to descend on Sacramento for next week’s January 26-29 event.

“We’re very pleased to confirm that [Unified] continues to be the largest trade show for the wine and grape industry in the western hemisphere, and we believe it is an excellent opportunity for the industry to be exposed to a wide range of products and services whether it is new technology or updating current ones. Mutually reciprocal, it’s an outstanding opportunity for suppliers in our industry to mingle with the key decision makers in the vineyard and winery,” said Lyndie Boulton, executive director, American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

“For the paid sessions on the program side, we have been ahead this year from last. In terms of the trade show, we have a full sell-out with our presales process and have continued to assign some on our wait list,” said Boulton.

There are about 600 exhibitors at the trade show, including large island areas. About 60 companies made it off of the wait-list into the show as exhibitors. “People continue to get on the wait list everyday. It is kind of like a conveyor belt. That wait list stays at about 100 companies,” said Boulton. The number of booths are restricted by the physical size of the Sacramento convention center. The trade show was expanded to the third floor about six to eight years ago, and this will be the third year there will be a tented pavilion on the mezzanine.

In addition to the trade show, the program includes a variety of educational seminars. Boulton said that significant topics in the industry this year, such as economics and sustainability, are reflected in the program content.

“The program is regarded very strongly as the one to get the most current industry statistics whether in the general session or the state of the industry; grape sales, wine production, legislation, regulation. We also have winemaking and grape growing sessions to address the more technical and production side,” said Boulton.

Next Sunday afternoon, the large ag and wine equipment exhibitors, such as harvesters and tractors, will be staged in a large lot near the center and then, based on safety concerns and height, will be strategically brought inside the convention center. Others arrive, including those with large-crated deliveries, on Monday and Tuesday.

Boulton said attending Unified is a great opportunity for attendees to network with their colleagues and learn about the latest trends and developments in the industry. “Exhibitors would confirm their sales are down, but many value this opportunity because it’s so concentrated in this two-day period,” said Boulton.