By Amy Looker, editor National Liquor News
The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) is gearing up for its Outlook 2014 conference, taking place in Adelaide this October.
Held on October 1 and 2 at the Adelaide Hilton, this year’s conference has adopted the theme ‘Taking Charge of Our Future’, and has a program specifically tailored to focus on the industry’s recovery of share and margin in key markets.
WFA president Tony D’Aloisio AM said Outlook 2014 would bring winemakers, analysts, exporters, marketers, retailers and politicians together over two days to consider what must be done to lift profitability.
“The strong Australian dollar, rising costs of production and intense global competition continue to challenge our export performance but there are many reasons to remain optimistic. We are an industry that sees the glass half full. Have we room to grow? Of course we do, and Outlook 2014 is focused on getting our strategies aligned to capitalise on the rise of China and recovery in traditional export markets, as well as domestically,” said D’Aloisio.
Speakers include International Federation of Wine & Spirits president Jim Finkle; Organisation of Vine and Wine director-general Jean-Marie Aurand; Australia Small Business commissioner Mark Brennan; Nielsen’s consumer and business intelligence executive director Michael Walton; Wine Intelligence chief executive Lulie Halstead, ALM chief executive Scott Marshall and Ciatti partner and broker Steve Dorfman.
Also taking place over the duration of the conference is the release of the WFA’s 2014 vintage report, the inaugural presentation of the Life Member of the Australian Wine Industry Award and the 2014 Maurice O’Shea Award and dinner, which will take place on the evening of the opening day of the conference.
For more information on Outlook 2014: Taking Charge of Our Future click here.