24.07.2009: Gourmet’s Italia Baltic States – End Report

Positive Balance in the Baltic States

Gourmet’s Italia in the Baltic States, a new challenge that we confronted for the first time this year, was a great success whether it was the number of visitors ort he interest in the products.

Three countries, three languages, three different types of money and complex administrative barriers that had nothing to do with a united Europe meant that the fourth stage of the EuroTour 2009 didn’t look as if it was going to be very successful. Nevertheless Gourmet’s International rose to the challenge and shone with its competent organisation, efficiency in detail and its feeling for class and style that is sort after in foreign countries and makes all the difference.

Te stage of the EuroTour in the Baltic States can be classified as a true touring event. We were on the road from 13th to 16th July to present our products from beautiful Italy to these “virgin” states which had shown great interest in our products. 25 producers from the whole of Italy including many from our partner region Campania presented their wines and specialities for tasting.

Gourmet’s Italia Baltic States took place under patronage with the Italian Embassy in Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn and in collaboration with the respective ICE Italian Trade Commission Offices. This stage was conducted with Mistery Apple Communication and our partner region Campania.

In Vilnius in Lithuania around 300 trade experts were present at the congress centre of the Reval Hotel Lietuva on 13th July 2009, and great interest was shown in the produce. The event was widely promoted on the Internet, through the press and in national newspapers and magazines and the Lithuanian TV was also present.

On 14th July in Riga, the capital of Latvia, the number of visitors who came to the elegant, historical “Blackheads House” increased to a staggering 600! The press conference in the afternoon, which was also used to promote the wines that have been chosen for this year’s Merano International WineFestival & Culinaria, was attended by numerous trade experts and other interested people.

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia was the last stop on our tour on 16th July. It was staged in the wonderful “House of the Brotherhood of Black heads” and around 150 visitors and VIP’s came to the event. The local television was also present.

Helmuth Köcher, president of Gourmet’s International, was very pleased and is already thinking ahead to 2010. “ The Baltic States will definitely be on our agenda next year, but perhaps we will only stop in two of the capitals.“