Welcome to the inaugural World of Spirits Virtual Expo (17-23 May 2021) – a pioneering moment in the global spirits industry.

This exciting, week-long live show is designed for both trade visitors and consumers, with two separate experiences presented simultaneously on our cutting edge virtual platform.

The Expo is the world’s first fully virtual event of its kind for the spirits industry. It is organised by Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo Company, one of the world’s leading business publishers and event organisers, with project leadership from spirits expert Becky Paskin, co-founder of OurWhisky and former editor of Scotchwhisky.com and The Spirits Business.

From traditional spirits such as whisky and gin to advances in low-and-no and RTDs, there is no other drinks category with as much diversity, innovation and excitement as spirits right now, with global consumption on the rise.

The spirits industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the travel retail channel and on-trade, the effects of which are expected to last until 2024 (IWSR). Yet consumer interest in spirits and cocktails is not diminishing. Driven by a sense of adventure, consumers are seeking new flavours and drinking experiences by experimenting with new spirit categories. With at-home consumption increasing, especially amid the escalating popularity of home mixology, there has never been a better time for spirits producers to embrace digital advancements to capture consumer imagination.

The World of Spirits Expo is an exciting, innovative exhibition employing cutting-edge technology to introduce buyers, retailers, distributors, bartenders and consumers to the most relevant spirits companies, products, brands and services on the planet.

Education and trial have never been more important, which is why we’ve made them the cornerstones of our Expo with a Knowledge Hub (a curated, eclectic symposium of speakers) and an Experience Hub (immersive experiences hosted by exhibitors), running alongside our main Exhibition Hall. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover new products, learn about innovations and category advancements and even taste liquid.

The Expo is also based on sound corporate social responsibility principles. We will be funding select global drinks industry charities that assist those in need; while we will work with our chosen eco-partner, non-profit 501(c)3 organisation One Tree Planted, to plant a tree for every trade visitor, an ongoing Moodie Davitt Expo Company concept called The Trinity Forest Project.

Any trade show must deliver a decent return on investment for exhibitors. That assumption underlines the inaugural World of Spirits Virtual Expo. It is an event for its times. No exhibitor or buyer will spend a cent getting there. No travel, no hotels, no entertainment, no taxis, no stress, and no lost time from the office. Buyers and retailers will enjoy complimentary registration to the trade experience. Likewise, consumers also gain entry for free. Only exhibitors pay, and even then the Virtual Stand rates are extremely accessibly priced.

The technology is well proven and, through each exhibitor having their own individual Account Manager (care of our Singapore- and London-based Virtual Stand Partner FILTR), the design and merchandising of a stand is straightforward. The simple premise that a spirits professional or buyer from, say, Brisbane in Australia or Barcelona in Spain; or a consumer from Tokyo to Texas can ‘travel’ to the Expo at the click of a mouse is, we think, irresistible. We will do our utmost to ensure those buyers and consumers visit the Expo. We hope you will join them. Virtually of course.