MEDIA RELEASE
27 May 2008
Hawke’s Bay Hosts NZ’s First Wine Business Symposium
The Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay is soon to host New Zealand’s first New Zealand Wine Business
Symposium on the 17th and 18th June 2008. The focus for the inaugural Symposium is Building Wine Brands and is billed as
the wine event of the year not to miss. With rising exchange rates, seasonal labour pressure and shrinking export
margins it has never been more important for wineries to examine their brands, business and marketing strategies.
With this in mind the line up of speakers and workshop presenters is impressive combining both New Zealand, Australian
and UK experience.
Professor David Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College, London is a much sought after speaker
and will deliver a keynote paper on strategic market issues for New Zealand wine and examine the profile of a typical UK
purchaser. He will also look at how New Zealand wine might benefit from developing strategic relationships with other
exporting industries.
Tony Spawton, Associate Professor and International Director of the Wine Marketing Research Group, University of South
Australia and Dr Johan Bruwer, Convenor of the Wine Business Group at the University of Adelaide will also be
presenting. Respectively, they will cover wine purchase attributes and the importance of regional branding.
Joining them will be other speakers and industry leaders from New Zealand all contributing to the 2 day NZ Wine Business
Symposium with different elements relevant to the success of branding NZ wines in today’s intensely competitive market.
Delegates to this symposium will also be involved in interactive workshops and will receive material they will be able
to use in their future brand strategies
Early registrations have been filling fast and NZ wineries are encouraged to ensure their place at this inaugural and
important event by registering online at www.winebusiness.co.nz .
ENDS