Wine2Wine, the renowned international business forum hosted in Verona (same place of Vinitaly), is scheduled on 4th and 5th of November. It’s an important event focused mainly on the biz side of the wine world, and everything that goes around it. This means that the topics that are going to be discussed will be several, varied, and topical. The program is still a work in progress, but some speaker are already been announced, as the following press release claims:

“ Wine2Wine Business Forum is excited to announce its keynote speakers for the 2024 edition, set to be a pivotal event for wine industry professionals. This year, the Forum will focus on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the wine sector, while highlighting the irreplaceable role of human connection despite the growing influence of technology. 
In addition to thought-provoking sessions, the Forum introduces a new format featuring dedicated networking opportunities, including practical workshops in small groups designed to foster meaningful collaborations between wine professionals and AI experts. The list of keynote speakers includes: Karen MacNeil, the award-winning author of "The Wine Bible," who will explore the fundamental value of human connection in wine marketing, even in an increasingly technology-driven world, in her session "Even in the Age of AI, Human Connection Still Matters". Her presentation will highlight the "Come Over October" campaign as a prime example of integrating tradition with innovation.

Sara Norell, Director and VP of assortment, purchasing and procurement at Systembolaget, will address a session on the Swedish monopoly and trends in tenders, in light of the growing attention to sustainability aspects, not only in terms of packaging but also production (reducing environmental impact in the vineyard and cellar). The objective of the Swedish monopoly is in fact to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030. The speaker will therefore explain how the purchasing process within the monopoly is configured today and what the opportunities, strategies and challenges are for Italian wineries, focusing on the concept of sustainability and its most practical declinations.

Justin Noland, Vice President of Digital Experience at Treasury Americas, will also join the Forum for its 11th edition. In his session "Adopting AI at Treasury Wine Estates", he will present Treasury Wine Estates' initiatives in adopting generative AI, highlighting how it is optimizing business operations and enhancing consumer interactions.

Felicity Carter will explore the impact of generative AI on the wine industry in her session "Generative AI: Big Possibilities and Unexpected Pitfalls." She will highlight how AI is transforming areas like personalized recommendations, automated tasting notes, and trend analysis, while also addressing potential challenges such as consumer skepticism and employee burnout. This session will offer insights into leveraging AI's benefits while managing its risks.

Professor Attilio Scienza will be present to offer an in-depth analysis of AI's influence on vine genetics and precision viticulture, demonstrating how these technologies are transforming agricultural practices to improve yields and sustainability. His session, titled "A Look to the Future: Wine and Artificial Intelligence" will include the participation of Professor Carlo Pozzi and Luca Toninato.

The New Format is designed to enhance the participant experience, featuring knowledge-based sessions, practical workshops, and tasting sessions. The 30-minute knowledge-based sessions, available at both basic and advanced levels, will be led by international speakers selected from among the top experts in the field, with simultaneous translation to and from Italian.

For the first time, the Forum will also include 20-minute practical workshops in small, dedicated networking groups, structured to facilitate direct interaction and the development of meaningful connection between participants.

Among the 80-networking session, some noteworthy sessions include:

• Jessica Dupuy DipWSET, with "AI-Based Insights for Wine Sales and Customer Engagement", exploring how AI can be used to analyze consumer behavior, optimize sales strategies, and enhance customer experiences.

• Dorli Muhr, "Rediscovering Analog: The Importance of Human Connection in the Digital Age", a reflection on the advantages of analog communication in an increasingly digital world and how to balance these approaches.

• Andrea Eby IWA, with an analysis of the challenges and opportunities in making wine language more accessible, breaking down the barriers of technical terminology.

Additionally, the program will offer six, soon to be announced, guided tasting sessions led by renowned wine magazines, sommeliers and experts, aimed at exploring trends and significant topics for the wine business through tasting experiences.”

For everybody who wants to taste a sip of the future, Wine2Wine is the right event to start.