The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has announced its full line up of experts who will be taking the stage at the 2019 Industry Summit, on Wednesday 18th September.
This year a panel of industry chiefs, who all sit on the WSTA Board, will kick off the revamped annual event using their cross-industry experience to discuss opportunities for the trade, as well as the complex current landscape.
The panel includes Michelle Brampton, Managing Director, Europe at Treasury Wine Estates, Pierpaolo Petrasssi, Head of Trading, Waitrose, Tamara Roberts, CEO Ridgeview Wine Estate and Brad Madigan, Managing Director for Campari Group UK.
They will be followed by two fascinating Keynote speakers who will move on to the much talked about topics of innovation in the drinks space including sustainability in the food and drink sector and how new and traditional products are being delivered or produced differently.
Kathleen Murphy, Vice President of Innovation and New Business for Family Coppola, USA, is flying in to give her expert view on the theme of this year’s summit – Reinventing the Wheel – following nearly 20 years in the global alcohol trade.
Alongside her Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of Leon Restaurants, will share his wisdom on growing a business in a sustainable, responsible fashion.
The session will focus on innovative developments of traditional products, and on new products entering the market, that respond to changing consumer habits and the increasing range of non-economic factors influencing the consumer.
The pair will answer questions from returning Conference Chair, Alex Forrest Whiting – former ITV political correspondent – and members of the audience.
Tickets are on sale now for the conference which is this year taking place between 2- 6pm at the stunning new setting of The British Library Knowledge Centre in Kings Cross.
WSTA Chief Executive Miles Beale, giving the introductory speech at the Industry Summit, said:
“We are delighted to announce another interesting, experienced and inspiring line up for this year’s revamped annual events for our members. The WSTA Industry Summit promises to provide guests with topical and forward-thinking debate, as well as giving everyone a chance to come together and discuss one of the toughest trading landscapes our industry has ever faced.
“Our Summit comes at a time when we are teetering dangerously close to a no-deal Brexit, something we have been campaigning against since the 2016 Referendum. If ever there was a time to unite the UK wine and spirit industry and to think differently about the future, it’s now.”
Michael Saunders, Chairman of the WSTA, opening the Industry Summit comments:
“In addition to our keynote contributors and a great panel of industry experts, the WSTA will be revealing some exciting new developments which will bring even greater benefits to our members. We look forward to seeing everyone at The British Library, where the line-up of speakers will provide great insight at what is a critical time for our industry.”
Tickets for the WSTA’s Industry Summit 2019 can be purchased here: http://bit.ly/InSum19-PressRelease
