Moodie Davitt and FILTR unveil pioneering consumer-to-trade World of Spirits Virtual Expo

Moodie Davitt International is proud to announce World of Spirits Virtual Expo, a pioneering consumer-to-trade event for the alcoholic drinks sector, to take place on 8-14 March 2021 (visit https://worldofspiritsxpo.com/ for full details).

The Expo, designed for both trade visitors and consumers, is the latest event organised outside travel retail by the newly formed Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo brand under Moodie Davitt International. It follows the announcement of Wellbeing World Virtual Expo to be held in January.

The company has once again teamed up with Singapore- and London-based FILTR as the event’s stand and experience partners. FILTR will provide an individual account manager for each exhibitor in the creation of their virtual stands as well as crafting the ambitious schematic design and digital architecture of the Expo.

Buyers and retailers will enjoy complimentary registration to the trade experience. Likewise, consumers also gain entry for free.

The World of Spirits Virtual Expo is being led by UK spirits expert Becky Paskin, co-founder of OurWhisky and former editor of Scotchwhisky.com and The Spirits Business, alongside The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman (and spirits aficionado) Martin Moodie.

“The World of Spirits Expo is an exciting, innovative exhibition employing cutting-edge technology to introduce buyers, retailers, distributors, bartenders and consumers to the most relevant spirits companies, products, brands and services on the planet,” Ms Paskin said.

“Education and trial have never been more important, which is why we’ve made them the cornerstones of our Expo with a Knowledge Hub (a curated, eclectic symposium of speakers) and an Experience Hub (immersive experiences hosted by exhibitors), running alongside our main Exhibition Hall. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover new products, learn about innovations and category advancements and even taste liquid.

“Driven by a sense of adventure, consumers are seeking new flavours and drinking experiences by experimenting with new spirit categories. With at-home consumption increasing, especially amid the escalating popularity of home mixology, there has never been a better time for spirits producers to embrace digital advancements to capture consumer imagination.”

The World of Spirits Virtual Expo will build on the learnings of the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo to deliver a pioneering trade + consumer event

Moodie Davitt International Chairman Martin Moodie added: “We are hugely excited to announce World of Spirits, a Virtual Expo that marries the classic exhibition component of seller meets trade buyer with a hugely ambitious consumer dimension. Any consumer of legal drinking age will be able to visit our exhibitor partners, while the drinks trade – from on-premise to off-premise, ecommerce providers to agents & distributors – will be able to access the event from all around the world without leaving their desks. No travel, no hotels, no entertainment, no taxis, no stress, and no lost time from the office.

“We know from the success of our Virtual Travel Retail Expo that the combination of cost-efficiency for exhibitors, superb visitor analytics, and sheer reach of the virtual formula makes it a winner from a return on investment perspective. Marry that with the quality of experience that our partners at FILTR will create and we are convinced World of Spirits will prove to be a landmark event.”

Alex Cook, Co-Founder & Managing Director at FILTR said, “I’ve been really impressed with the way spirits brands have embraced the pioneering Virtual Travel Retail Expo. They were the early adopters of the concept and we’re seeing some brilliant digital creativity and O2O innovation in the experiences they are curating.

“This is exactly where the world is moving. Transitioning into a global virtual spirits event featuring all channels – on-trade and off-trade – is the next exhilarating step along our ground-breaking virtual expo journey.

“The FILTR team cannot wait to get working with the exceptional marketeers in the sector, and explore what can be achieved together, alongside Moodie Davitt International, Becky Paskin and the whole World of Spirits team.”

Several highly cost-effective options are available for exhibitors in each of the ten Exhibition Halls

The Exhibition Hub will feature a variety of stands where exhibitors can showcase products and services to both a consumer and trade audience. Online visitors will be able to view videos, read and download literature and chat with exhibitors in real time (and with instant multi-lingual translation). The trade audience will be able to view keynote presentations and network with other visiting delegates.

Each exhibition hall will be themed to reflect ten core categories:

  • Cocktails & Mixers
  • Cognac & all other Brandies
  • Gin
  • No- & Low-alcohol and Barware
  • Rum
  • Speciality Spirits (from Baijiu to Bitters and numerous others) & Liqueurs
  • Tequila & Mezcal
  • Vodka
  • Whiskies
Exhibitors can showcase new launches, prototypes, videos and PDFs in multiple languages throughout the week-long show

There are several highly cost-effective options available for exhibitors, with early bird rates starting at US$6,500. Exhibitors can expect plenty of ‘foot’ traffic; a buyer in, say, Auckland in New Zealand; a retailer in Athens; a whisky influencer in Shanghai; or any consumer interested in spirits or cocktails can pop in to view the stand after registering.

Exhibitors can showcase new launches, prototypes, videos and PDFs in multiple languages and host live chats. Each exhibitor will also receive complimentary advertising in the official Expo guide.

The Knowledge Hub will feature an eclectic array of drinks industry figures discussing the wonderful world of spirits

In the Knowledge Hub, some of the industry’s leading names will feature in a curated series of presentations, discussions and debates covering the most important and fascinating topics in spirits.

Visitors to the virtual Experience Hub will be able to learn, discover – and even taste

The Experience Hub will be home to a number of exciting installations designed to help visitors discover, learn and even taste. These pop-up bars and lounges will host intimate masterclasses, demonstrations, new product launches, Q&As with leading drinks experts and authors, as well as takeovers from the world’s best bars.

We are working with our partners to enable the delivery of selected samples to visitors ahead of the event. Exhibitors are also welcome to ship samples to any delegates that register.

World of Spirits Virtual Expo will also feature a reception, press room and networking lounge.

Spirits Category Experts to Champion Virtual becoming Reality

Experts in the spirits industry will be ambassadors for their specialist category at the show

Some of the leading experts in the spirits industry will be joining us as ambassadors to help shape their specialist category’s presence at the show.

After the week-long live event, visitors will still be able to access material and exhibitors can continue to receive visitor analytics.

To register your interest in advance as either a delegate or as a potential exhibitor, please contact info@worldofspirits.com. Media houses (B2B or B2C) wanting to showcase their titles as Preferred Partners should also reach out to info@worldofspirits.com

For full information please visit https://worldofspiritsxpo.com/

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