Moët Hennessy returns to Vinexpo as a group

Moët Hennessy is to exhibit as a group at Vinexpo Bordeaux later this month, marking a return to the fair for the company, whose CEO is now president of the exhibition organiser.

In April this year it was announced that Moët Hennessy CEO Christophe Navarre is president of Vinexpo’s supervisory board, having taken over from Xavier de Eizaguirre, whose term has finished

Speaking to the drinks business yesterday for the first time as president of Vinexpo’s supervisory board, Moët Hennessy CEO Christophe Navarre said that his aim was to encourage businesses to come back to the exhibition organiser, which hosts shows in Bordeaux, Hong Kong, Japan, and in March next year, the US too.

When asked by db whether that included the company he heads up, he said that Moët Hennessy had, through its brands, remained a supporter of Vinexpo, but revealed that it would be present this year as a group.

“We have always been at Vinexpo, but we are coming back much stronger as one company… we will have a big stand with all of our brands at Vinexpo next week, which is great news that has not been shared yet,” he said.

“Our goal is to bring back a lot of important people in the industry who left Vinexpo, we want to make Vinexpo a strong leader, that is our duty,” he added.

Continuing he said, “The only goal I have with the team is to prepare Vinexpo for the future: we have been in Hong Kong since 1996; Tokyo since 2014 and we have an edition in New York next year, and other initiatives.”

Concluding he stated, “Vinexpo is a brand and it is not only Bordeaux – and it is a question of Vinexpo moving forward and being the leader in the world.”

Meanwhile, Vinexpo CEO Guillaume Deglise confirmed that Moët Hennessy is to return to the fair, starting with Vinexpo Bordeaux, which opens its doors on Sunday 18 June.

“It is the first time Moët Hennessy as a group will be exhibiting at Vinexpo since their distribution network was consolidated,” he said.

“Although the brands have been active at Vinexpo over the years (in Bordeaux or Hong Kong), the participation of major brands such as Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot or Hennessy with a stand dates back from the early 2000s,” he added.

In contrast, for this year Deglise said that Moët Hennessy “will exhibit with their 21 brands and will feature their latest labels or vintages”.

He also revealed that Veuve Clicquot will be installing a pop-up bar alongside the lake that fronts the exhibition space.

Moët Hennessy will be exhibiting as a company in Hall 1 at stand A211.

For a full preview of the fair, see the June issue of the drinks business.

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