The TOPS at SPAR Wine Show – South
Africa’s fastest-growing annual consumer wine exhibition – celebrates its 10th
year in 2015 and marks the occasion with new partners, sponsors and a revamped
event experience designed to entertain and engage seasoned wine-lovers as well
as up-and-coming wine fans.
A milestone year in its history,
the 2015 shows kick-off in Johannesburg in May, before rolling-out in Durban,
Nelspruit and PE with TOPS at SPAR Bierfest’s Andrew Douglas and Brett
Archibald as the show’s new partners. The pair - respected event producers with
over 20 years’ industry experience between them - have acquired a major stake
in the business as well as brought on board its title sponsor.
John Woodward, The Wine Show’s
originator says, “This heralds a new chapter for The Wine Show. By benefitting
from Andrew’s and Brett’s big-event experience, not only will the show be
elevated with respect to layout, décor and entertainment, it will also be
marketed to the wine-loving community and consumer crowds on a mass scale not
yet seen by local wine events before.”
For instance, while previous years
have seen the show partner with The Star, Highveld Radio, Algoa FM and DSTV,
among others, this year it pumps a 300% increase into radio and 700% increase
into outdoor/ billboard spend. “They are arguably the top performers with
respect to delivering quality and quantity footfall so we’re investing heavily
in these two channels,” says Woodward.
This boost puts the show in good
stead against the background of an increasingly competitive experiential and
interactive festival and event market. “Consumers are spoilt for choice when it
comes to things to do so we’ve added a host of new entertainment attractions to
the original line-up of edu-tainment which includes the ever-popular Wine Extra Theatre. A sneak-peak includes
a pop-up Bubbly Bar, performance artists, modern violinist, variety of
contemporary food options, as well as an overall décor and design revamp.”
Besides the entertainment, visitors
can try & buy wines and courier them home same-day using the handy Sip ‘n
Ship service. “We’ve pioneered this concept for over 10 years and in the
process generated wine sales direct from the floor of over R24-million!”
Responsible consumption is also
front and centre this year. While it’s always been a cornerstone to the event’s
offering – it has an annual collaboration with GoodFellas – this has been
supplemented with TOPS at SPAR’s initiative, DRYVER, an app that allows you to
connect with your friends when out on the town to get home safely, as well as
the #DrinkSmart campaign
presented by Redline Breathalysers.
“There’s an undisputed synergy
between my and Brett’s consumer event experience and The TOPS at SPAR Wine
Show’s 10 year clout and popularity. Through this collaboration, we’re taking
this well-established event to the next level, making some of our country’s
finest wines more accessible to the general public while celebrating the rich
cultural heritage, time honoured tradition and nostalgia of the humble grape,”
says Douglas.
Of the partnership, TOPS at SPAR Group
Liquor Manager, Mark Robinson, says he is thrilled at being involved. “The Wine
Show is the perfect vehicle for TOPS at SPAR to grow and promote our wine
portfolio. It’s fresh, it’s fun and pays homage to our philosophy that life,
friends and family should be celebrated.”
The 2015 TOPS at SPAR Wine Show
tour dates are below. To book a stand, interested exhibitors can call Vanessa
Adendorff on 083 326 6484 or visit www.wineshow.co.za
for more information.
• 7 – 9 May: Johannesburg, Sandton Convention Centre
• 4 – 6 June: Durban, Suncoast
• 2 – 4 July:
Nelspruit, Emnotweni
• 30 July – 1 August:
Port Elizabeth,
Boardwalk
Tickets are available pre-show through www.wineshow.co.za or at the door and
include a crystal tasting glass, all tastings, access to
the Wine Extra Theatre and a map to
help navigate the show. For any trade ticket enquiries please email trade@wineshow.co.za.
Image caption:
The TOPS at SPAR Wine Show kicks off its national wine exhibition this May in Johannesburg. Celebrating its 10th consecutive year, the milestone has been marked with a new partnership, sponsor and show format. Here Andrew Douglas, from Bierfest and the show’s originator, John Woodward, say cheers to their new collaboration. Douglas and business partner Brett Archibald have acquired a major stake in the show and are set to raise the event’s bar in terms of layout, décor and entertainment.