2019 Festival Report

IntroductionWinefest is one of the most highly anticipated wine events in Alberta, offering consumers the opportunity to sample hundreds of red, white, port, sparkling, fruit, fortified and dessert wines from the world’s most celebrated wine regions, as well as a tasty selection of hors d’oeuvres.

2019 Winefest Edmonton • 3,449 attendees • 76 exhibitor booths

2019 Winefest Calgary• 3,849 attendees• 92 exhibitor booths

Consumer Profile Winefest primarily attracts consumers within the age group of 26-65, who earn medium to high household incomes.

8%

19%

34%

20%

16%

2%

1% 10

% 20

%

34%

17%

16%

1%

2%

0% 5%

10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

18-25 26-30 31-40 41-50 51-65 66andover

Rathernotsay

AgeDistribution

Edmonton Calgary

1% 6%

13%

16%

19%

12%

10%

23%

2% 7%

12%

15%

20%

11%

11% 22

%

0% 5%

10% 15% 20% 25%

HouseholdIncomeDistribution

Edmonton Calgary

95% of attendees rated their overall experience at Winefest as Excellent, Very Good, or Good.

Consumer Profile (continued)

43%

38%

14%

4%

1%

51%

34%

10%

4%

1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Excellent VeryGood Good Fair Poor

OverallCustomerExperience

Edmonton Calgary

91% of consumers indicated they would

Definitely, Very Likelyor Likely purchase a wine they tasted at

Winefest.

Consumer Profile (continued)

48%

32%

12%

6%

2%

45%

31%

14%

7%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Definitely VeryLikely Likely SomewhatLikely NotLikely

ConsumerLikelihoodofPurchasingaWineTastedatWinefest

Edmonton Calgary

What Consumers Said About the 2019 Events:“I love Winefest so much I am attending both Edmonton and Calgary this year! Great job to all the organizers!” (Edmonton)

“This was my first Winefest and I LOVED it! I can't stop raving about it to people! I will definitely be back again next year.” (Edmonton)

“Excellent afternoon. Thank you so much!!I loved that everything was included in ticket price. I have already purchased wine that I tasted there.” (Edmonton)

“Amazing quality of wine selection and fabulous event having the food included in the cost of ticket. Will definitely be back!” (Calgary)

“Event was well organized. Lines for coat check and entry were fast and staff were very nice. All wine stations were great and welcoming. First time at a Winefest and will definitely continue to come.” (Calgary)

Industry & TradeEach year, Winefest hosts a Private Industry & Trade Tasting, providing exhibitors the opportunity to network exclusively with Industry members. This year, over 455 qualified members attended the private sessions in Calgary and Edmonton to meet with local wine agents and winery representatives.

Words from Industry attendees:

“This being my first experience with Winefest, I found it to be informative, professional and all participating vendors and staff to be very approachable! I found what I needed for info and the ability to taste, and speaking with the vendors has greatly influenced what I will be purchasing on our next orders.”

“We enjoy being able to try new wines and network with other industry personnel.”

Event DatabaseEvent emails were sent to over 45,000 consumers promoting event features, exhibitors and sponsors.

Print MaterialsTent cards were distributed to exhibitors, Sobeys & Safeway Liquor stores, and various small businesses in Calgary and Edmonton.

Social Media & Online AdvertisingWinefest holds a significant presence on social media with over 4,000 likes on Facebook, over 3,600 followers on Instagram, and over 2,400 followers on Twitter. In addition to these pages, advertising was also purchased on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Winefest also created a dedicated social media advertising campaign on Facebook and Instagram, as well as worked with Google to create AdWords and Display ads. Winefest partnered with local social media influencers to spread the word online and create buzz around the event.

Print Advertising Winefest ads were placed in Avenue Magazine.

Radio AdvertisingWinefest advertised with the most popular radio stations in Calgary and Edmonton including Virgin Radio, and Country 105 (Calgary) and Christmas FM, Kiss FM and CISN Country (Edmonton).

The Festival continues to utilize a comprehensive marketing plan:

2019 Event Marketing

Winefest enjoyed ample media coverage in 2019:

TV Coverage & InterviewsGlobal News Morning (Edmonton), Global News Morning (Calgary),CTV News (Calgary), and CTV Morning Live (Calgary)

Radio Interviews CBC Radio 1(Edmonton), Newstalk 770 (Calgary), CBC Radio 1(Calgary), CBC Radio 2 (Calgary)

Print CoverageThe Tomato (Edmonton), Where Magazine (Edmonton),Calgary Herald

E-zines, Blogs & Other Online Listings• Daily Hive• Avenue Magazine• Yahoo News• CBC• MSN Canada• Date Night YYC• Global News• The YYScene

…and many more!

Public Relations & Media

Winefest exhibitors include: • Wineries and agencies representing local and international red, white, port, sparkling, fruit, fortified and dessert wines

• A selection of local food purveyors serving hors d'oeuvres to complement wine such as cheese, chocolates & caramels

• Industry services such as Event sponsor, LiquorConnect.com

• A limited number of specialty companies such as wine accessory and art.

2019 Exhibitor Profile

100% of exhibitors felt that the overall quality of the Event was

Excellent or Good.

100% of Winefest exhibitors either said “yes” or “maybe” to participating

next year.

100% of exhibitors felt their success of participation was Excellent or

Good.

Exhibitor Feedback

People’s Choice AwardsEach year, Winefest hosts the People’s Choice Awards to uncork the most loved wines at Winefest! Guests voted for their top picks by filling out a ballot while at the Event. Thousands of votes determined the 2019 favourites in both Calgary and Edmonton.

Check out the 2019 winners:

2019 Winefest Edmonton Winners

2019 Winefest Calgary Winners

We graciously thank the 2019 Winefest Sponsors who were an integral part of the Event’s success, providing financial, marketing and event support.

Winefest prides itself on developing mutually beneficial relationships, which includes unique programs for each sponsor.

We’d also like to thank Rioja for being 2019’sfeature wine region.

2019 Winefest Sponsors

EdmontonFebruary 14 & 15, 2020

Edmonton Convention Centre, Hall D

Private Industry & Trade Session: 2-5pmFriday Evening Session: 7–10 pm

Saturday Afternoon Session: 2–5 pmSaturday Evening Session: 7–10 pm

CalgaryFebruary 21 & 22, 2020

Stampede Park BMO Centre, Hall E

Private Industry & Trade Session: 2-5pmFriday Evening Session: 7–10 pm

Saturday Afternoon Session: 2–5 pmSaturday Evening Session: 7–10 pm

www.celebratewinefest.com

2020 Winefest Dates

The organizers of Winefest also proudly produce The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival, one of Alberta’s largest sampling events. The Festival offers the chance to sample an

extensive variety of wine, premium spirits, scotch, import and micro-brewed beer, along with gourmet food samples from local restaurants, hotels, and food purveyors.

Visit rockymountainwine.com for more information.

The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is thrilled to be celebrating its 22nd year in Alberta!

Calgary FestivalOctober 18 & 19

Edmonton FestivalNovember 8 & 92019

Contact UsGeneral Contact Information

Telephone: 403-228-0777 Mailing Address:Toll-free:1-866-228-3555 #3 225 58 Avenue SEFax Number: 403-398-1334 Calgary, AB, T2H 0N8, Canada

Consumer InquiriesE: info@celebratewinefest.com

Sponsorship InquiriesKatie HopkinsEvent Coordinatorkatie@celebratewinefest.com

Marketing InquiriesMaria YanezEvent & Marketing CoordinatorE: maria@celebratewinefest.com

Exhibitor Inquiries

Katie HopkinsEvent Coordinator E: katie@celebratewinefest.com