Marilyn Cooper, a founding member and MD of the Cape Wine Academy and one of the festival organisers, says, “This year is about getting valued brand sponsors onboard and extending the growth of the festival for both the wine and brandy industries as well as for the sponsors. We have grown the exhibitors by 75% to 125 wineries, and with an expected attendance level up by 100%+ to over 5000 visitors, this has become a very valuable market.
“Many of our VIP visitors are from the ‘Black Diamond’ group and many of the exhibitors and visitors will be part of this group in a year or two. The brands that get onboard now will have the advantage now and in the future. Our new structured sponsorship tiers provide realistic value for money and offer sponsors benefits that will allow them a fair amount of creative freedom.”
There will also be a new VIP Elite room with entertainment, music, cuisine and wine. This VIP Elite room will overlook the entire hall and be filled with select sponsors’ VIP’s and South Africa’s elite. The 2007 theme is a ‘True African Experience’.
As with the previous two years, the Cape Wine Academy is co-ordinating the festival, Hot Salsa Media is managing the PR and media liaison and Another 60 students from the University of Johannesburg will once again attend the ABC wine course and be employed during the show. This training is sponsored by the Cape Wine Academy, demonstrating its commitment to imparting skills to the community.
The venue this year remains The University of Johannesburg.
