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Gama spoke to Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere, ahead of the latest edition of Vinitaly.
What are your main goals for the 58th Vinitaly, especially as regards international attendance and B2B involvement?
Vinitaly is the only international event dedicated entirely to the Italian wine sector – a key strength of the Show in Verona, yet equally for the ecosystem of promotional events we organize in our main target countries, be they well-established or emerging. The objectives of the 58th Vinitaly include providing business support for our 4,000 exhibitors through a qualified incoming plan, developed in collaboration with partners such as the Italian Trade Agency, strengthening the Italian wine tourism sector through the Vinitaly Tourism format, which includes a B2B programme with specialist international buyers, as well as capturing emerging market trends.
Read more Tradeshow Look Aheads in the next issue of Gama News.
How do the new Xcellent Spirits show hall and the dedicated No/Low Alcohol areas reflect changing global consumption habits?
These two initiatives fully reflect the evolution of consumption taking place in the sector. This change is impacting domestic and global markets alike, and wine companies must respond accordingly. Our task is to help everyone understand this evolution by encouraging discussion and defining appropriate strategies.
How did your recent international roadshow (in Japan, India and the United States) influence the buyer profile for this year’s event?
Our international roadshows are an essential means for assessing the quality of buyers who are invited directly and hosted by Veronafiere / Vinitaly. Our international initiatives always have two purposes. Promotion and recruitment to attend the main event in Verona are key aspects for our international calendar.
With Vinitaly and the City’s new initiatives, how are you bridging the gap between the professional trade and experiential wine tourism?
Vinitaly and The City (10th-12th April 2026) – the off-show programme for wine lovers with tastings and events revealing the excellence of wine in the historic heart of Verona – is one of Veronafiere’s additional strategic assets.. We are also launching a pilot wine tourism project this year in collaboration with the Valpolicella Wine Route. The format was “exported” in 2024 and 2025 to the Sibari Archaeological Park in Calabria and we are now looking at other Italian regions.
How will the new planning tools in the Vinitaly Plus App agenda improve the efficiency of business activities during the show this year?
We have expanded the functions of Vinitaly Plus this year. In 2025, this platform achieved 412,000 hits and assembled a ‘library’ of some 20,000 wines from 4,000 companies. The main new feature allows wineries to contact buyers directly and schedule appointments during the fair, without waiting for a direct invitation from operators.
About Vinitaly
For 58 years, Verona has been the home of Vinitaly: the place where the global wine industry comes together for four days dedicated to business, networking, and the sharing of knowledge and expertise. Competitions, awards, and training programs highlight the excellence of producers and provide new tools for professionals across the sector. A unique event that transforms the city into an international wine capital, also involving wine lovers with Vinitaly and the City, the event to discover the best Italian wines in the historic heart of Verona.
