Catherine LEPARMENTIER DAYOT

Catherine will be a member of the panel discussion on:

How to Create Immersive & Memorable Wine Tourism Experiences

After studying foreign languages applied to commerce and management, Catherine began her career in Bordeaux working for the French government. She advised small and medium-sized companies on how to develop their export markets. After a year in Zurich, Switzerland, still working for the same organisation, Catherine returned to Bordeaux to work for the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This is a public body whose mission is to support thecommercial development of private companies. Catherine is currently in charge of the Tourism Department at the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce.

In 1998, Catherine oversaw the creation of an international wine network and in June 1999 launched the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. For over twenty years, she has worked with conviction and energy to develop wine tourism both in the Bordeaux wine region and worldwide through her activities with Great Wine Capitals. She has acquired invaluable knowledge and expertise in the field of wine tourism. Catherine continues to lead the network as Secretary General and oversees its development. This is how she worked to integrate Hawke's Bay into the network in 2023. Thanks to her efforts, this New Zealand region has gained international recognition and has been able to open up to vineyards from all over the world.

Today, she guides the Réseau towards sustainability, committing it to initiatives such as joining the Porto Protocol Foundation or the Sustainable Wine Roundtable. Catherine has received a number of prestigious awards for her work in promoting wine culture at an international level. In 2022, she was awarded the Masi Foundation Prize. This award, created by the famous Italian wine company, recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to the promotion and enhancement of wine heritage. The award underlines the importance of Catherine's work in promoting wine tourism and her desire to share the richness of wine with the world. More recently, she was inducted into the Confrérie du Guillon in Switzerland, for her efforts to promote Vaud wines around the world.

Outside of work, Catherine is married with 2 daughters aged 34 and 31. She loves wine, gastronomy, music and singing.