Covid claims IMW symposium 2022 – Wine Australia becomes IMW major supporter
The Institute of Masters of Wine and Wine Australia have regretfully decided that the 10th IMW international symposium cannot be held in Australia in 2022.
IMW Executive Director Adrian Garforth MW said the ongoing uncertainty around international travel made it too problematic to plan the event confidently. Therefore, the difficult decision has been made to defer the event.
“We will look at the possibility of holding an alternative event in 2023, but we need to consider our options carefully in light of the ongoing pandemic,” Adrian said.
Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said that it was disappointing that the event, announced at the close of the 2018 IMW symposium, had to be deferred, but Wine Australia understood the challenges.
“We retain the right to bid for Australia to host the 2026 IMW symposium, confident that by the time decisions have to be made, we will be much clearer about travel options, and health regulations will be clearer.”
Andreas said Wine Australia would become a major supporter of the IMW for a five-year term, recognising the IMW’s importance as a key partner within the international wine community.
Adrian concluded by saying, “We are delighted to welcome Wine Australia into the IMW family of supporters. This long-term agreement will build upon the relationship developed over the last two years and should pave the way towards an exceptional event in 2026.”
ENDS
For more information contact:
IMW
Sarah Kirkpatrick
Head of Marketing, Communications and Membership
+44 (0) 207 383 9131
skirkpatrick@mastersofwine.org
Wine Australia
Anita Poddar
Corporate Affairs Manager
+61 417 819 978
Anita.poddar@wineaustralia.com
About the IMW
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For almost 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to act with honesty and integrity, and use every opportunity to share their knowledge of wine with others. Today, there are 416 Masters of Wine working in 31 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, academics, educators and more. There are 379 students from 41 countries in the 2020-2021 MW study programme.
About Wine Australia
Wine Australia supports a competitive wine sector by investing in research, development and extension (RD&A), growing domestic and international markets, protecting the reputation of Australian wine and administering the Export and Regional Wine Support Package. Wine Australia is an Australian Commonwealth Government statutory authority, established under the Wine Australia Act 2013, and funded by grape growers and winemakers through levies and user-pays charges and the Australian Government, which provides matching funding for RD&A investments.