^{Image credit: Mia Willougby, Wyfold Vineyard}

After a bumper harvest in 2023 and with more vines being planted and becoming productive, we wanted this year’s conference to centre on growth. The programme this year will focus on building your business and the things you should bear in mind in the years ahead.

Following last year’s format, the WineGB Conference for Growth 2024 will feature talks on viticulture, winemaking, sustainability and business. Join us for a jam-packed day of learning, knowledge-sharing, and networking.

We are delighted to be joined by a well-respected line-up of experienced, industry-focused speakers. We are also expecting a representative from government to join us for the morning session – more details to come.

The WineGB Conference for Growth agenda is below. Stay tuned for updates to the speaker line-up.

We are very grateful for our community of Partners, Patrons and Sponsors who support us throughout the year. Particular thanks goes to Rankin Cork for sponsoring this conference.

Agenda

9am-9:30am: Arrivals and coffee

9:30am-1pm: Morning plenary session

Topics
> WineGB Strategy Showcase and Manifesto for Growth Update: Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB.
> Government Update: Government speaker to be confirmed.
> Plans for growth (sales & export): Gary Smith, CEO of MDCV UK, and Chris Unger, Sales & Marketing Director at Hattingley Valley.
> Crop Protection – the role of HCP: Dr Joanna McTigue, Crop Protection Scientist at HCP Ltd.
> Adapting to climate change, next steps for the sector: Professor Steve Dorling, CEO at WeatherQuest and Dr Kate Gannon, Research Fellow at the London School of Economics.
> The National Education Competency Framework: Sam Linter, Director of Wine at Plumpton College and Kristina Studzinski, Co-Founder of Off The Line Vineyard

1pm-1:45pm: Lunch

1:45pm-3:35pm: Concurrent breakout sessions

Viticulture
> 1:45pm-2:35pm, session 1: Practical demonstration of sprayer usage and calibration with Claire Seymour (NP Seymour), Sam Barnes (SJ Barnes), and Tim Ferris (Hutchinsons).
> 2:45pm-3:35pm, session 2: Vine importation and biosecurity update with Ben Kantsler (Nyetimber).

Winemaking
> 1:45pm-2:35pm, session 1: Insuring successful secondary fermentation of sparkling wines part one with Emma Rice (Independent Consultant), together with members of the Winemaking Working Group on the panel. This session will focus on wine preparation and chemistry.
> 2:45pm-3:35pm, session 2: Insuring successful secondary fermentation of sparkling wines part two with David Cowderoy (BevTech), together with members of the Winemaking Working Group on the panel. This session will focus on yeast cultures.

Business & Marketing
> 1:45pm-2:35pm, session 1: Labour: sourcing, attracting and retaining talent with Charlotte Farrell (Paris Smith) and Shaun Parry-Jones (Carling Partnership).
> 2:45pm-3:35pm, session 2: Business clinic and Q&A with Elinor Davis (Paris Smith), Mark Dawson (Wine Standards Inspection Team), Claudio Martell (Bevica), Ed Mansel Lewis (Knight Frank), and Richard Buer (NFU Mutual).

3:35pm-4:30pm: Walk around tasting and tour of Plumpton College

4:30pm: Wrap-up and close

Ticket prices

Early bird rates are available until Monday 8 April

Early bird members’ rate: £75 + VAT = £90

Early bird non-members’ rate: £95 + VAT = £114

Early bird student member rate = £65 + VAT = £78

Early bird student non-member rate = £80 + VAT = £96

Standards rates from Tuesday 9 April

Standard members’ rate: £90 + VAT = £108

Standard non-members’ rate: £120 + VAT = £144

Standard student member rate = £85 + VAT = £102

Standard student non-member rate = £95 + VAT = £114

Registrations are now closed, for more information please email angelina@winegb.co.uk