Insights from the 8th UNWTO Global Wine Tourism Conference – Wine Travel Awards

Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Armenia, the 8th UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism recently convened, gathering luminaries from the Wine Travel Awards (WTA) community, including Prof. Gergely Szolnoki, Liz Palmer, Paul Wagner, and Alder Yarrow, among others. This year’s theme, “Heritage in Every Bottle,” brilliantly highlighted how ancient winemaking traditions are being revitalized through cutting-edge wine tourism innovations.

Participants delved into pressing issues like sustainable wine tourism and the role of digital technology in crafting compelling wine stories. The conference showcased Armenia’s distinguished wineries – Zorah Wines, Old Bridge Winery, Trinity Canyon Vineyards, Momik Wines, Karas Wines, and “Armenia Wine” Winery and Vineyards – as prime examples of how culture and innovation can merge to forge a dynamic future for the wine industry.

For a comprehensive overview filled with insights from keynote speakers on the transformative discussions that are redefining wine tourism, click to read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dvgpPvDC

Source: Wine Travel Awards

UN Global Conference on Wine Tourism Concludes

The importance of preserving heritage while embracing innovation was highlighted as UN Tourism welcomed experts worldwide to its Global Conference on Wine Tourism this week.

The 8th edition of the Conference marked a milestone for Armenia and global wine tourism. With over 300 participants from more than 25 countries, the conference emphasized key areas essential for advancing wine tourism’s contribution to development and territorial cohesion, highlighting its potential to serve as a catalyst for cultural preservation, job creation and economic growth.

Welcoming delegates, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The Global Wine Tourism Conference is the leading event to share stories, customs, and rituals rooted in the history of winemaking. These stories are not just about wine—they are about the people, the land, and the cultures that have nurtured these traditions for generations. We must include these traditions in the wine tourism experience.”

The Global Wine Tourism Conference is the leading event to share stories, customs, and rituals rooted in the history of winemaking.

Liz Palmer states during her presentation [Strategies for Crafting and Preserving a Strong Digital Brand for the Wine Tourism Industry] “Implementing these integrated 10 Key Strategies will strengthen your digital brand, making it future-proof and well-positioned to address the evolving needs of international wine travellers in 2025 and beyond.”

Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Gevorg Papoyan, made clear the importance of wine tourism to the host country. In Armenia, the growing sector supports jobs and businesses, most notably in rural areas, while also protecting the heritage that dates back more than 6,000 years.

Discussions highlighted a growing demand for experience-driven tourism, where visitors seek not only wine tastings but to connect with the people and places behind them. Participants analyzed how to combine innovation and cultural heritage in sessions focused on storytelling, digitalization, the creation of wine routes, e-commerce and understanding changing consumers’ preferences and Generation Z.

The conference also emphasized the importance of education and training in wine tourism, focusing on the need to empower professionals with practical skills as well as on the collaboration among industry stakeholders as essential for creating a shared vision and maximizing the benefits of wine tourism destinations. Addressing climate change and adopting sustainable practices were key themes, with participants discussing the need for clear guidelines and skills to ensure the long-term viability of wine tourism destinations.

The conference showcased Armenia’s important development in wine tourism in Armenia. Armenian winemakers showcased their unique wine tourism experiences, rooted in centuries-old traditions such as the 6000-year-old Areni-1 cave, and Armenia’s newest and most modern wineries.

Liz Palmer Selected as “Final Round Judge” for the 2024 Canadian Marketing Association’s CMA Awards

“I’m thrilled to be selected as a multi-disciplinary “Final Round Judge” for the Canadian Marketing Association’s CMA Awards this year + excited to review the best in #CanadianMarketing!”

The 2024 Canadian Marketing Association’s CMA Awards celebrate the pinnacle of marketing excellence, innovation, and creativity in Canada. This event recognizes outstanding achievements across various sectors, highlighting the strategies, campaigns, and individuals that set new benchmarks in the marketing industry. Entrants are evaluated on their ability to drive engagement, deliver exceptional results, and demonstrate thought leadership. Winning a CMA Award not only confers industry recognition but also reinforces a brand’s reputation for cutting-edge marketing practices. This year’s awards promise to showcase groundbreaking work that has transformed the marketing landscape, reflecting the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the field.

Below is a list of the criteria, as well as the definitions for the disciplines and categories, for the CMA Awards.
A category refers to the campaign’s business sector; the categories include:Automotive, Business, Consumer Products & Services, Financial, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Retail/Consumer Business, and Social Causes.

A discipline reflects the type of campaign, the disciplines include: Brand Building, Business/Brand Impact, Customer Experience & Shopper Marketing, Engagement, Innovative Media, and Public Relations.

The Judging Process

First Round
The First Round is judged online by a panel of judges from across Canada. These judges evaluated the entries on Strategy, Creativity and Results, all equally weighted.

Second Round
In the Second Round, the Senior Judges and Multi Discipline Judges judge the top entries in the categories and disciplines. The scores from the two rounds are combined to determine gold, silver and bronze awards.

Best of the Best + Top Cause
The top entries from the Second Round are reviewed and the Best of the Best and Top Cause are awarded, making these awards truly representative of the best in Canadian marketing.

Interested in entering? Deadline to submit: July 19th: https://thecma.awardsplatform.com/

I’m thrilled and honored to be selected as a Senior Judge for the 2023 Canadian Marketing Awards

I’m thrilled and honored to be selected as a Senior Judge for the 2023 CMA Awards and will be judging “Engagement” entries!

Looking forward to reviewing the best in #CanadianMarketing alongside leading marketing professionals in Canada. Submit your entries by July 21, 2023 https://thecma.awardsplatform.com/

Liz Palmer
Wine Journalist, Author, and Global Influencer