“Wine is an important economic and cultural driver of relations between Italy and the United States,” said Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere, in a statement. “Through Vinitaly.USA, companies and institutions share a common goal: to strengthen the position of Italian wine in the American market. We are committed to enhancing the competitiveness of Italian producers and translating the strong reputation of Italian wine into tangible business opportunities.”

Giovanni Sacripante, general manager of Veronafiere, added: “The strength of a trade show brand lies in its ability to create new business opportunities and help companies expand their presence in international markets through initiatives that extend beyond the event itself. With this vision, we are continuing to develop Vinitaly as a year-round international business platform. New York is a clear example of this strategy. With more than 1,000 pre-registered buyers, our goal is to connect Italian producers with key players across the American wine industry, from importers and distributors to retailers and restaurants. We aim to foster lasting business relationships that extend well beyond these two days, both in Verona and internationally, turning each meeting into a potential opportunity for growth.”

The opening ceremony will officially launch the event, highlighting the importance of the United States as the leading non-EU export market for Italian wine. Speakers will include Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere; Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Trade Agency; Riccardo Guariglia, Secretary General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Marco Peronaci, Ambassador of Italy to the United States; Gianluca Caramanna, Advisor to Minister of Tourism Gianmarco Mazzi for Institutional Relations; and Marco Rago, Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Development. Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, will also deliver a video message.

Following the opening ceremony, representatives from institutions, wine companies, and the trade will discuss the future of Italian wine in the United States through two panels organized by the Italian Trade Agency.

The first session, “Prospects and Building a New Chapter in Italian-U.S. Wine Relations,” will be moderated by journalist Maria Luisa Rossi Hawkins. Panelists will include Matteo Zoppas, president of the Italian Trade Agency; Sacripante; Bill Terlato, president and CEO of Terlato Wine Group; Matteo Lunelli, CEO of the Lunelli Group; Alison Napjus, senior editor and tasting director at Wine Spectator; Tim Marson MW, category management director at Wine.com; and Bobby Stuckey, Master Sommelier and Founder of Frasca Hospitality Group.

During the event, Stuckey will receive the Gianfranco Sorrentino Award for Italian Excellence, established this year by Vinitaly.USA to recognize individuals in the U.S. restaurant and hospitality industry who have made outstanding contributions to promoting Italian wine, cuisine, culture, and hospitality.

The relationship between Italian wine producers and the influential professionals shaping purchasing decisions in the U.S. market will be explored in the panel “Italian Producers and American Master Sommeliers: The Questions That Matter.”

Representing perspectives from the restaurant industry and professional wine education, the panel will feature Master Sommeliers Laura DePasquale, senior vice president at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; Julie M. Dalton of The Post Oak Hotel in Houston; Jonathan Eichholz, GuildSomm lecturer with experience in New York’s Michelin-starred restaurants; and Jim Bube, national wine director at Hogsalt. The discussion will be led by Stevie Kim, Vinitaly Managing Partner; and Jenny Hemmer, DipWSET, Executive Director of GuildSomm International.

Alongside Vinitaly.USA’s business matchmaking activities, the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum will offer a program of more than 20 sessions, including masterclasses and discussions focused on market trends and industry developments. The agenda also will include sessions coordinated by Vinitaly Tourism and organized by the Italian Trade Agency and the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with ENIT.

Wine tourism will be a key focus throughout the two-day program, with discussions exploring American travelers’ preferences and strategies for promoting and selling travel experiences across Italy’s wine regions.

On Monday, Oct. 26, a session will examine the professionals and experiences that help introduce American travelers to Italy. Speakers will include Susan Kostrzewa, former Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast and current columnist for Resplendent Ink; Riley Pearce, Director of Trip Development at tour operator Backroads; Cristina Mariani, Owner and CEO of Banfi; and Seth Snider, Co-Founder of Your Private Italy, which specializes in customized luxury travel experiences.

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Italian Trade Agency will present the panel “From the Wine Cellar to the Itinerary: How the International Tourism Industry Sells Italian Wine Tourism,” moderated by journalist Sara Magro, Co-Founder of the travel and lifestyle publications The Travel News and The Italy Insider, which cover contemporary Italy for an international audience.

The discussion will then turn to future growth opportunities with "The Future of Wine Tourism in Italy: Destinations, Experiences, and Opportunities for the Global Market." Ivana Jelinic, CEO and Acting President of ENIT, and Gianluca Caramanna, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism, will explore emerging trends and opportunities for the sector.