Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Sets Attendance Record
February 2, 2016 
Fred Franzia was the luncheon keynote speaker. (Photo Credit: David Eddy)
Ready to tap into the latest technology, trends, and innovations shaping their industry, thousands of wine and grape industry professionals from all over the world attended the 22nd Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, which concluded its three-day run Thursday.
Presented since 1994 by two nonprofit organizations, the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), Unified’s growing importance highlights the wine industry’s critical need for current data and information.
“Starting this year’s Unified with Fred Franzia’s (CEO of Bronco Winery) luncheon address was as clear a statement as any that this event has become the single most important yearly gathering of wine industry leaders and decision makers,” explains John Aguirre, CAWG president
Total attendance this year was 13,800, with increased numbers for both the Tuesday luncheon, with 409 attending, and program session attendance at 1,500. As the largest event of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the event gives industry professionals a unique opportunity to hear from experts on a wide range of emerging wine, winegrape and marketing issues. In addition, they can visit more than 650 exhibitors spread across 170,000 square feet of trade show floor.
“For over two decades Unified has been built on having a solid informational program,” said Dan Howard, ASEV executive director. “With presentations by experts from around the world and a huge trade show, Unified has become the annual gathering place where people from the entire industry can meet to reconnect with their peers and get all the information they need to start the new year.”
Unified’s signature “State of the Industry” session on Wednesday morning delivered some of the most sought after perspectives on emerging marketing and production trends. This year, speaking to a standing-room only audience, the session’s panel of experts forecasted a positive year ahead for high-end wine sales.
While Unified focuses primarily on American winemaking and winegrape production, more than 30 countries were represented among the guests and exhibitors, underscoring the international flavor of the event. Each day included sessions featuring expert panels addressing four topic areas: grape growing, winemaking, marketing/public relations, and business/operations.
The 2017 Unified will once again be held at the Sacramento Convention Center and is slated for Jan. 24-26.
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