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Vinexposium CEO: ‘We are the marketplace to attract buyers’
“We are the marketplace that will attract the buyers so we need to make sure we have the right offer in front of them,” the CEO of Vinexposium said, as Wine Paris marked a record year for visitors.
Wine Paris 2025, a key event for Vinexposium, wrapped up this week following a three-day trade fair in the French capital (10-12 February).
Speaking during a press briefing on the Tuesday afternoon of the show, Lameyse said he was confident the 2025 iteration of the show would exceed last year’s visitor numbers – and it did.
The figures showed 2025 was a record year for visitor numbers to Wine Paris, which hit 52,622 guests this year. Nearly half (45%) were international from 154 countries.
Lameyse admitted the Be Spirits arm of the show – dedicated to the distilled industry, and complete with a 40m-long Infinite Bar to showcase some of the leading bars in Europe – had not grown as quickly as he’d hoped, despite moving to its biggest space to date.
“It is moving in the right direction,” said Lameyse. “It is moving in the direction I want, not at the speed I want. But I like the venue in which Be Spirits is now,” following its move to Hall 5.2 for this year’s event. “I like what we did with the team in terms of organisation. I like the growth, for sure, but I’m a very demanding person, so I want to see more growth, more international exhibitors, more pavilions, because I am convinced that we are a marketplace that will attract the buyers, so we need to make sure we have the right offer in front of them.
“So, it’s good, but not good enough for me. I want this show to take off and be an independent show from Wine Paris and I’m convinced that we can do it – and the sooner the better.”
Asked if the growth he would like to see for Be Spirits would include more of the big players – to accompany exhibitors this year including La Martiniquaise-Bardinet and Moutai baijiu – Lameyse referenced the V d’Or Awards, which took place the night before the opening of the show.
“We had CEOs of big spirits players [at V d’Or],” Lameyse said. “We had key decision makers from them. They were there. So things are moving in the right direction.
“I know where we’re coming from. I know the hard work that has been done by the team. I know everything is fragile and I also know it takes time. We are giving time for our baby [Be Spirits] to grow and be an independent show; we also know we need the big brands to be with us. It’s difficult but we have never been afraid of difficulties.”
His last words of advice were: “Be resilient,” as he acknowledged the unpredictable market challenges currently facing the wine and spirits trade.
Growth for Be Spirits
Be Spirits welcomed producers from 34 countries and covered 47% more floor space this year compared with 2024.
Almost 300 exhibitors were present this year, 76% of whom were new.
Be Spirits also showcased 2.5 times more exhibitors from overseas than in 2024, with 10 new exhibitor countries.
Lameyse said: “In times of uncertainty like now, of economic crisis and loss of meaning, isolationism is not an option.
“It is by combining strengths and promoting innovation, engagement by all industry players and connections between economic and political spheres that we can implement solutions.
“Over the years, Wine Paris has established itself in the global psyche as a vital source of influence.
“More than ever, the 2025 exhibition played a crucial role for national and international stakeholders in the wine and spirits industry.”
Wine Paris 2026 will take place from 9-11 February 2026.
During Wine Paris 2025, Lameyse chaired a panel discussion called ‘Impact of geopolitical tensions on global wine and spirits trade’.
The speakers were: Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA; Nicolas Ozanam, managing director of the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux de France (FEVS); and Don St Pierre, co-founder of ASC Fine Wine.
One of the points raised was how the EU has an opportunity to lead the world on trade policy, as powerhouse nations like the US and China become embroiled in trade wars.
The next Vinexposium event will be Vinexpo America in Miami from 7-8 May, followed by Vinexpo Asia from 27-29 May in Singapore.
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