VINITALY, Veronafiere repositioning the date from 14 to 17 June 2020

On June 13 the preview of operawine with wine spectator decision agreed with the main sector associations, the president of the Veneto region and the mayor

Verona, 3 March 2020 - "In view of the rapid evolution of the international situation which generates evident difficulties for all trade fairs on a continental level, Veronafiere has decided to reposition the dates of Vinitaly, Enolitech and Sol & Agrifood from 14 to 17 June 2020, or in best time to ensure the highest quality standard of the business for exhibitors and visitors ". So Giovanni Mantovani, general manager of Veronafiere closing the Spa's Board of Directors, who met today. "Vinitaly, together with OperaWine - continued the general manager - will therefore take place in a temporal context in which great excellences of Made in Italy, such as Cosmoprof and Salone del mobile, for example, will have the task of relaunching attention of international markets and the image of Italy.

At this juncture we thank the companies for the trust they are showing us. " The decision was the result of a careful analysis of the available data as well as listening to the positions of the market stakeholders, including the main sector associations: Italian Wine Union, Assoenologists, Federvini, Federdoc, Federation of Independent Winegrowers and Alliance of Cooperatives sector wine. “The move in June of Vinitaly and other important international events in the cities of Milan and Bologna - explains Maurizio Danese, president of Veronafiere - is a signal that Made in Italy is betting on a prompt economic recovery in the key sectors of the country-system. We therefore hope that the new national trade fair calendar can generate renewed confidence and be an instrument with which to capitalize on the restart of our country ".

Veronafiere will activate a task force to assist its customers in all areas necessary for the reorganization of the postponed events and in close collaboration with the reference associations, it will prepare all the incoming actions necessary to guarantee the presence of qualified buyers and professional operators. In addition, on the new dates, Confcommercio Verona and the Verona Hoteliers Cooperative have expressed maximum availability to facilitate the transfer of reservations. In 2021 Vinitaly will be on the calendar on its usual dates (April 18-21); dates that are the result of an agreement with the Union of Great Cru of Bordeaux (UCGB) with which since 2013 there has been an agreement created to meet the needs of the protagonists of the world of wine, buyers and the international press in particular.

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The declarations of the sector associations

Ernesto Abbona, President of the Italian Wine Union: “We fully share the choices of Veronafiere, both as regards the decision taken, and for the relative time location together with other major events such as Cosmoprof in Bologna and the Salone del Mobile in Milan, which will give an important signal for the recovery of the country ".

Sandro Boscaini, Federvini president: “We need to give a strong message to the country. If we act together in the context of the shift of date, not only of Vinitaly, but of other major international events that will take place in Italy in June, we will be able to contribute in a choral way to the relaunch of the positive image that Made in Italy deserves ".

Riccardo Cotarella, president of Assoneologi: “The decision made by Veronafiere on Vinitaly and supported by the supply chain associations, derives from intelligent and entrepreneurial considerations. You cannot imagine a Vinitaly flagship of the Italian wine sector, as well as an event that the whole world envies us, scaled down more or less strongly in the presence of operators who currently give unsatisfactory forecasts. This means protecting the operation of our producers and at the same time protecting the image of Italian wine and Vinitaly in the world ". Matilde Poggi, president of the Italian independent winegrowers federation: "We agree with Veronafiere on the need to change the dates on Vinitaly's calendar. June is the last possible date for an event on wine. As Fivi, however, we are ready for a great commitment to participate, since this month is traditionally dedicated to working in the vineyard ".

Riccardo Ricci Curbastro, Federdoc president: “Our position is not to give negative messages to the market, especially at a crucial moment for the country system and for the sector. The situation in the last few days has been different from what we hoped for and for this reason we feel we share the choice of Veronafiere and stay on the same line as Vinitaly, although aware that there will be a lot to do ".

Luca Rigotti, coordinator of the wine sector of Alleanza Cooperative: “We share the choice of Veronafiere for the shifting of Vinitaly dates. Now we work together at the fair so that the world of wine can give a positive message to the national economy ".

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