It is the third time now that CED Central European Economic Development Network Nonprofit Ltd. and Junibor - Young Winemakers' Association are organizing their unique viticulturist-winemaker event, the Pannon Vinersitas Free University. The theme of this year's event, which will take place at Lakitelek on June 29-30, 2021, with the participation of more than 50 wineries, focuses on sustainability, international sales strategies and the effective use of the opportunities provided by the social media.
Viticulture and wine-making is one of the traditional, high value-added segments of the Hungarian agricultural and food industry, our country is among the bests of Europe in terms of both wine production and area-based productivity. In addition, wine production in Hungary covers the full range of classic wine styles due to its unprecedented natural and geographical features.
The further development of the sector, the education of the young Hungarian winemaker generation in the Carpathian Basin and its preparation for export processes, as well as the faciliation of the dialogue between industry actors by the Pannon Vinersitas Free University jointly organized by CED Central European Economic Development Network Nonprofit Ltd. and Junibor - Young Winemakers Association - with the professional support of the Agricultural Marketing Center and HEPA Hungarian Export Development Agency.
The event, which is attended by more than 100 representatives of about 50 wineries, aims to dynamize collaborations between young winemakers in the Carpathian Basin, provide a platform for sharing experiences widely, and hand over to the participants the up-to-date economic, market and professional knowledge of the industry.
Because of these, the focus of the thematics of this year's Pannon Vinersitas Free University is on sustainability, international sales strategies and the effective use of the opportunities offered by the social media. At this year’s event, Elizabeth Gabay who has a Master of Wine title will also be featured as an expert, holding a lecture on the international marketing of different varietal wines.
„The aim of Pannon Vinersitas Free University is to provide a professional platform that contributes to the young Hungarian winemakers of the Carpathian Basin achieving international export success by helping and learning from each other. Thanks to this event, not only the natural opportunities, but also the professional background are now provided. I am confident that the students of our free university will soon become key participants of the global wine trade and gastronomy.” - said László Csík, the Managing Director of CED Central European Economic Development Network Nonprofit Ltd.
Following the professional lectures and presentations, there will be a possibility to taste wine specialties from all areas of the Carpathian Basin, and to have personal consultations with international wine experts, traders and export development consultants.
„The COVID pandemic, like others, brought extraordinary challenges to wineries too. From one day to the next, we lost 50-100 percent of our markets. It is not easy to live this and after that recover from the situation even for experienced entrepreneurs and producers. Social media platforms, web commerce, online tastings, all the tools that's role have suddenly increased – with this year's theme of the Pannon Vinersitas Free University, we try to focus on these, so that the participants could receive useful, valuable knowledge, ideas and real help to cope with the current situation. In accordance with the spirit of Junibor, our goal now is to build a knowledge-based, supportive community that ensures the professional development of the winemaker generation of the future.” – said Péter Frittmann, the president of the Junibor - Young Winemakers Association.