Over the three-day international trade fair, 180 exhibitors, including industry-leading organizations from a number of popular wine-growing nations such as France, Italy, Germany, Australia, South Africa, and Portugal poured their product, and award-winning spirits, ciders and craft beer companies enjoyed a debut with over 2000 visitors in attendance.

USATT attracted importers, distributers and retailers from over thirty countries and with more than 1000 distinctive SKUs on offer, it’s no wonder they came to the Grand Tasting with serious trade interest, and a willingness from MHW to broker deals on the spot.

Visitors speak with 180 exhibitors on The USATT Grand Tasting floor.

Sid Patel, the CEO of Beverage Trade Network and Director of USA Trade Tasting was gratified by the resounding success of the event. “We are extremely pleased with the response we’ve received from the exhibitor’s at USATT’s inaugural event. The quality of the exhibitors and the satisfaction of the visitors has set the bar extremely high for years to come.”

The highly successful Brand Pitch Sessions showcased up-and-coming brands to prospective new import and distribution partners.

Over the first two days of the event, the USATT Grand Tasting was complemented by a number of innovative campaigns that added a great deal to the variety and tone of the event. These included the Brand Pitch Sessions, which is a networking system designed to match brand owners with appropriate and interested importers and distributors, and a number of masterclasses in The Wines of South Africa, World of Whiskies, and the New York Wines Organization.

On the third day, some of the best known leaders in the industry brought it home by offering key strategic insights for up-and-coming brands, during the much-anticipated BTN Educational Conference. Presentations were structured around a ‘how-to’ tutorial format and included topics around best practices in sales, distribution and marketing; they provided essential take-aways for the day-to-day operation of effective businesses. Notable presentations included: an extensive break-down of international sales planning by Jim Ryan of Constellation; an in-depth market analysis from Danny Brager of Nielsen, and a study regarding the benefits and challenges in establishing a resilient employee base from Josh Wand, of BevForce.

The USATT was covered by a variety of independent media outlets, as well as the event’s official media sponsors: Beverage Media Group; Food and Beverage Magazine; The SOMM Journal; Meigner’s; The Tasting Panel; Artisan Spirit; Distillery Age; Drinks International; The Beverage Journal; Distillery Trail; Microshiner; and Wine & Craft Beverage World.

The event was organized by Beverage Trade Network, the world’s leading online platform for connecting importers, distributors and retailers with suppliers from around the world. “Results from this year’s show clearly demonstrate that the trade show blueprint for networking solutions developed by BTN, works inside the constraints of the three-tiered system, while opening the door to better business, said industry veteran Steve Raye, President of Bevology Consulting.

Next year’s USA Trade Tasting will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York. For more information on USATT 2017, please visit www.usatradetasting.com, or contact Beverage Trade Network: (e) info@beveragetradenetwork.com (t) +1.941.592.9254.