These changing of the guard and new governance represent a major stride towards fulfilling Great Wine Capitals Global Network’s vision of fostering connections between cities associated with premier wine regions and ensuring the ongoing vitality and cooperation within the global wine community.
Catherine Leparmentier, Managing Director of Great Wine Capitals Global Network, welcomed the new leadership with enthusiasm stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Paolo Arena and Jo Collins to their respective roles of President and Vice President. Their collective expertise and unique perspectives will be instrumental in steering Great Wine Capitals towards our Strategy 2030 for the next two years. They will guide us in our mission to promote and connect cities with the world’s finest wine regions for knowledge exchange, tourism, and business networking.”
GWC President Paolo Arena
Paolo Arena, a seasoned leader and proud Veronese, steps into the role of President, carrying a vision to enhance the Network’s visibility in the tourism sector. He brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as president of the Verona Trade Association and as a member of the Great Wine Capitals Executive Committee since 2016.
Arena shared his vision, stating, “It is an honour to lead this network in collaboration with all the Great Wine Capitals’ member cities. Our mission is clear: to elevate wine regions worldwide and create growth opportunities for businesses. I am committed to tirelessly raising our Network’s profile in the tourism industry. Together, we will construct a robust future for wine tourism.”
GWC Vice-President Jo Collins
Jo Collins, a representative of Adelaide | South Australia, assumes the role of Vice President with a special emphasis on the wine sector’s role in bridging global networks and communities. A respected government leader, Collins currently heads the Industry, Strategy, and Partnerships division within the South Australian Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
Collins expressed her enthusiasm stating, “The opportunities this network presents to collaborate with the world’s best and continuously raise the bar in terms of our global wine and wine tourism offering are boundless.”
Welcoming Jacques Faurens as Treasurer
Adding to this exciting chapter, GWCGN is pleased to announce that Jacques Faurens, Past President of the Network and representative of Bordeaux in the Executive Committee, has been named as Treasurer. His expertise and dedication will greatly contribute to the Network’s governance and strategic direction.
Great Wine Capitals eagerly anticipates the dynamic leadership of Paolo, Jo, and Jacques, aiming to further solidify its position as the premier global network of outstanding wine regions and their connected cities. The future of wine tourism has never been more promising!
Download the press release here: Great Wine Capitals announce new leadership