The most recent edition of Meininger's Wine Business International included a feature article on USA Trade Tasting. Felicity Carter, Editor-In-Chief at Meininger's, attended the inaugural event first hand and reported .  Below are some quotes taken from the article, which you can download here or read the online version. Below are the highlights.

The Grand Tasting

Importer, Distributors and Retailers came from across the North East to taste new brands at USA Trade Tasting. "[...] for three days in late March, [USA Trade Tasting] was a meeting place for the industry, with 180 wine, beer, and spirits producers putting up banners and laying out tables, as the inaugural USA Trade Tasting opened for business."

The event featured three floors of brands for trade visitors to explore. "[Tuesday] the building was buzzing with importers and distributors; the only people who may have had cause to complain about light traffic were the New World exhibitors on the third floor."

Brand Pitch Sessions

USATT Brand Pitch Sessions paired brand owners with US importers and distributors. "...the Brand Pitch sessions were worth the price of admission. Producers were put on stage in front of up to 30 importers or distributors and given 15 minutes to explain the merits of their product while it was being poured for the audience,"

USATT Conference

"A particularly worthwhile part of the fair was the conference on the last day, which had experts from the US market speaking for 15 minutes each. There was legal advice on the key provisions to have in a distribution agreement; a high voltage presentation on storytelling; tips for a successful brand launch and more."