New voices and fresh perspectives for IWINETC 2025
The International Wine Tourism Conference (IWINETC) 2025 is thrilled to unveil the first details of its conference programme, taking place at the historic Mikulov Castle in South Moravia, Czechia, from March 26 & 27, 2025. This year’s conference is set to feature fresh voices and innovative ideas across a series of targeted tracks, offering delegates actionable insights and strategies to elevate their wine tourism initiatives.
The IWINETC 2025 conference will feature an exciting and insightful speaker programme, bringing together experts and leaders in the wine tourism industry. Anthony Swift, the IWINETC Director, will open the event with a warm welcome, joined by esteemed officials from Czechia and South Moravia. Their session will highlight Czechia’s emerging role as a leader in wine and culinary tourism, with a focus on the rich contributions of Bohemia and South Moravia. This session will provide delegates with a unique opportunity to experience the country’s diverse flavours and cultural heritage.
The conference will also feature a session by Paul Wagner, a renowned wine tourism expert, who will share his valuable insights on how wine tourism can help build regional brands, particularly in the face of declining global wine sales. Drawing on his decades of experience, Wagner will present actionable strategies for improving marketing efforts in the wine tourism sector.
Another highlight will be Robin Shaw’s discussion on the transformation of the traditional wine tasting room into a destination for experiential tourism. Shaw will explore how regions worldwide, especially in South Africa and Australia, have embraced trends like wellness, sustainability, and luxury to appeal to a broader, often younger audience.
The IWINETC 2025 conference will also cover key topics like leveraging technology to maximize revenue, with a session by María Adela Pereira Alvarez on refining visitor experiences. Additionally, Judith Lewis will offer insights into using digital marketing to stay ahead in an ever-changing digital landscape, sharing tips and strategies for small businesses to succeed online.
In the afternoon, delegates can look forward to an immersive session, the IWINETC Grand Tasting, guided by national sommelier Klára Kollárová. This event will allow participants to taste wines from Czechia’s unique terroir and learn about the wine regions of the country.
The second day of the conference will continue with a panel led by Robin Shaw, which will dive into how wineries and tourism businesses can create immersive and unforgettable experiences that foster lasting connections with visitors. This session will highlight the importance of cultural integration and interactive experiences in elevating the wine tourism experience.
Throughout the event, delegates will have ample opportunities to network and connect during scheduled breaks, including coffee breaks and lunch sessions where they can discuss ideas and form valuable business relationships. A key feature of IWINETC is the B2B Wine Tourism Workshop, which facilitates one-to-one meetings between wine tourism providers and global agents. This platform is designed to create meaningful connections, driving business growth for all involved.
The conference will conclude with the official announcement of the host destination for IWINETC 2026, offering a glimpse into the future of the event. As the conference draws to a close, Anthony Swift will share key takeaways, ensuring that attendees leave with fresh perspectives and practical strategies to implement in their businesses.
Overall, IWINETC 2025 promises to be an engaging and inspiring event, featuring a diverse lineup of speakers and sessions that will equip delegates with valuable knowledge and insights to enhance their wine tourism businesses and destinations.
