Dan Jago at Tesco, Justin James of Sainsbury's and Direct Wines' Justin Howard-Sneyd are just three of the big names who will be speaking at Harpers Wine & Spirits' inaugural Global Wine Conference 2010 in London on September 7.

The day will look at the key issues and challenges facing the global wine industry from a retailer, supplier and consumer point of view. It will examine how the wine industry is using collaboration, knowledge sharing and consumer insights to maintain and drive profitability.

It is being organised in association with the International Wine Challenge to coincide with its awards dinner on September 7, with both events taking place at London Hilton, Park Lane.

Jago, James and Howard-Sneyd will each look at the pressures on retailer wine businesses and the needs they have from the supply base to drive sales and margins. Howard-Sneyd will assess global wine trends and opportunities; James will analyse the possibilities for wine around price, cost and improved consumer insights; whilst Jago will set out Tesco's vision for the category.

Other confirmed speakers include Simon Thomas, Pernod Ricard's deputy managing director wine, who will assess the challenges facing global wine brands; whilst Angela Mount of Gondola Wines, will look at the online opportunity and different routes to market.

 
A key focus of the day will be the consumer. Lulie Halstead, chief executive of Wine Intelligence, will pick out key global wine drinking insights and trends from its international consumer wine research. Judith Kleine Holthaus of the Future Foundation will look at changing consumer behaviour, whilst Will Critchlow, founder of Distilled, will examine how best to engage with consumers be it through traditional communication or the better use of social media.

The conference is to be chaired by wine consultant, Mike Paul.

For IWC dinner attendees the cost is £245, plus VAT, non IWC dinner attendees is £295 and there is an Early Bird fee of £195, plus VAT for IWC dinner attendees, and £245 for non IWC dinner attendees if you book before July 30.

To register contact Asif Ali on 01293 610324 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it quoting GWED and for more go to http://www.globalwineconference.com whidh is live on July 16.