Alimentaria 2010. our experience...

Things didn't really seem that upbeat in the run-up to Alimentaria 2010. Some 40% less exhibitors and only one hall for Intervin as opposed to one and a half in 2008, with many important exhibitors not present. We decided that it would be foolish not to go this year, having already experienced Alimentaria 2008 for the first time,  really a test run. Any Trade Fair is a bit of a gamble and is by no means a cheap affair. We put the wheels in motion and contacted our collaborators: the Producers and real stars of the show. Overall the mood was positive and upbeat and we knew that it would be an important event for them as much as it would be for us.  As the global economical situation was not the rosiest we have ever experienced, the decision was to grab a smaller space allocation than in 2008 and as luck would have it for various reasons, we were more than 12 people on any given day. This looked promising! Together with our stand constructor, Italian flair and passion with German precision, Gabriel and his team designed a wonderful stand for us with impeccable execution and responsibility. He and his team of mainly ladies worked like Swiss watches!  Contemporanea Eventi, thankyou! As our space was smaller and we were quite a few, there was a bit of a jam going to the our warehouse when the stand was full and we were quite pushed for space at times. Mireia and Elena did a great job organizing the stand and our producers did the rest with their upfront no nonsense description and explanantions of the wines to the visitors we received. Opposite us, some leather equipped, sexy and hot  DICTADOR RUM girls ensured that male traffic and Alimentaria word of mouth remained at an all time high. I think they brought their fair share of voyeurs some of whom ended up at our stand too :o). We missed Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia who were at Torrelló but ran out of time to come and see nicojames (;o(, oh well that's the way wine flows sometimes... Concluding: I was very pleased with the way the show went, although Monday was strange, Tuesday was extremely busy and Eduardo from vinustv with Ryan Opaz also interviewed me on the stand (can't wait to see the result) Wednesday slow and Friday dead. We had some very good prospects come to our stand, which will undoubtedly enable us to grow in the Spanish market and moreover in regions where we are weakly or not at all present. This will reinforce the brand and offer our wines to clients who haven't had the chance to previously taste "simply wine" . Foreign prospects interested in Spanish Wines were also positively received, meaning a truly global perspective for the wineries at the stand. Who said Alimentaria was mainly a national event? I did however receive some comments that some wineries at the fair were not happy with the national market, saying it was dead. Horses for courses I guess, but overall we were happy. In fact the reason I haven't been able to post anything until now is because Alimentaria is breaking my back! I also learned that when at a wine fair, be sure to eat well, eventhough you think you feel well. All part of the learning experience.... Now that is good news!! In short, I think I can say that our gamble paid off. We still have a lot to do, so just sit back and NJoy, more posts coming soon!!