Powerhouse wine strategist and futurist Paul Mabray, arguably the most pivotal international force in wine e-commerce, is one of two headline speakers at this year’s Wine & Food Tourism Conference on 2 December 2020.
The California-based pioneer, who has spent the past two decades focusing on how to maximise marketing, sales and communication reach online, is to share the podium with another acknowledged trailblazer. He is Miles Kubheka, the well-known South African entrepreneur and restaurateur. The two will lead a constellation of speakers at the annual conference. The theme for this year’s virtual event is The Next Decade: Wine Industry Sales and Sustainability.
Margi Biggs, convenor of the conference, now in its fifth year, explains: “Given the ongoing pandemic volatility and the way second-wave infections are breaking out in many parts of the world, it makes sense to offer the conference in a hybrid format. For those who want to attend the physical version of the event, they can join us in person in the Overberg. However, the digital option is available to anyone wanting to register. All overseas speakers will present digitally.
Another of the speakers will be Wesgro CEO Tim Harris, who will be identifying challenges and opportunities to be navigated over the next decade. Trends specialist, composer and left-field problem-solver Peter Greenwall will talk about disrupting local wine and hospitality tourism. Petra Mayer, who represents Wines of South Africa (WOSA) in Germany, will be highlighting what German tourists seek in their tourism experiences at the Cape, while Romanella Paggi of Ketek Events and Tourism in Mendoza, Argentina, will reflect on best practice in her region.
VinPro tourism manager Marisah Nieuwoudt will address how best to ensure the longevity of wine tourism at the Cape. Catherine Leparmentier Dayot, who is based in Bordeaux as MD of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network will discuss how the South African wine industry can leverage on Cape Town’s membership of this network.
Shelly Fuller, a conservation ecologist, who is WWF-SA’s programme manager: sustainable fruit and wine projects, will talk about the role and impact of her organisation on sustainability in local tourism. André Morgenthal, a wine communicator will be joined by celebrated winemaker Trizanne Barnard and environmental activist Diony Lalieu who will focus on how to take meaningful sustainability measures that earn consumer loyalty and support.
The conference will also showcase the latest Wine & Food Tourism Awards honourees. Strict health and safety measures will be in place at Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate near Hermanus in the Overberg with a maximum of 100 delegates in the room.
