Guillaume Deglise departs Vinexpo

Wine and spirits trade show Vinexpo has announced that chief executive Guillaume Deglise will be leaving the company after almost five years in the role.

Guillaume Deglise will leave Vinexpo after the Hong Kong exhibition next month

Deglise, who joined Vinexpo in 2013, will depart from the company after the Hong Kong exhibition on 29-31 May 2018.

He will leave to embark on new career projects, stating that he plans to continue his career in the wines and spirits industry.

Deglise, who previously worked at Champagne houses Laurent-Perrier and Bollinger, took the role over from Robert Beynat in October 2013.

Under his leadership, the company undertook the recovery of its flagship Vinexpo Bordeaux show and the “strong development” of Vinexpo Hong Kong.

He also launched new exhibitions in Tokyo in 2014, New York in 2018, and Paris, which is scheduled for 2020. He also helped to establish Vinexpo Explorer last year, an “intense” programme set up to take industry buyers directly to wine and spirit-producing regions.

“We salute Guillaume Deglise’s guidance and professionalism. He managed to develop the brand Vinexpo in a highly competitive sector,” said Patrick Seguin, president of Vinexpo’s executive board and chairman of the Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce.

“We wish him success in his future endeavours.”

Deglise added: “Having the chance to be in daily contact with winemakers, traders and buyers has been a very rewarding experience for me.

“I want to thank Vinexpo’s customers and partners for their confidence and support, and the Team Vinexpo that I am honoured to lead.”