Brussels, 7 - 10 September, 2026

Celebrating the contribution
of the spirits sector in Europe.

Spirit of Life Week brings together the voices shaping the future of Europe's spirits sector.

Explore the programme
Practical information
Register

About Spirit of Life Week

Spirit of Life Week brings together policymakers, producers, hospitality professionals, and industry leaders to explore the role of spirits in Europe's culture, communities, agriculture, and economy. Through a series of discussions, networking events, and experiences, the week highlights the craftsmanship, heritage, innovation, and responsibility that define the sector today.

01
Celebrating Europe’s Spirits Traditions

02
Shaping the Future of the Sector

03
Experiencing the Spirit we Share

Meet the Speakers

  • Francesco Lollobrigida

    ITALIAN MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND FORESTRY

  • Adonis Georgiadis

    Greek Minister of Health

  • Christophe Hansen

    EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

  • MEP Esther Herranz Garcia

    CO-CHAIR OF THE WINE AND SPIRITS INTERGROUP

  • Gijs Schilthuis

    DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY, DG AGRI, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

  • Miroslaw Izdebski

    GENERAL MANAGER OF BELVEDERE DISTILLERY

  • MEP Brando Benifei

    MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CONFERENCE OF DELEGATION CHAIRS AND INTA COMMITTEE, AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBER OF IMCO COMMITTEE

  • Gilles Bogaert

    EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT GLOBAL MARKETS, PERNOD RICARD

  • MEP Marion Walsmann

    (DE, EPP) MEMBER OF THE INTERNAL MARKET AND CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE (IMCO) ‘CONVIVIALITY AMBASSADOR’ FOR THE GERMAN SPIRITS SECTOR

  • MEP Dario Nardella

    MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (AGRI) AND S&D COORDINATOR WITHIN THE COMMITTEE

  • Marie Audren

    DIRECTOR GENERAL
    HOTREC, THE ASSOCIATION OF HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & CAFÉS IN EUROPE

  • Frederic Molina and Stéphanie Mantey

    The husband-and-wife team behind bistro “La Timbale”

  • Alain Fontaine

    FOUNDER OF THE BISTROTS ET CAFÉS DE FRANCE ASSOCIATION

  • H.E. Pranay Verma

    AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

  • Denis Redonnet

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL,
    DG TRADE, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

  • Dr Foteini Koulouri

    ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENTIST (MSc PhD PostDoc) HEAD of GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH &QUALITY OF LIFE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH - GREECE

  • Mark Titterington

    DIRECTOR GENERAL, spiritsEUROPE

  • Pauline Bastidon

    DIRECTOR, COMPETIVENESS & TRADE, spiritsEUROPE

  • Robert Pfaller

    PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY AND CULTURAL THEORY

  • Peter de Wolf

    DIRECTOR OF STIVA

    STIVA is the Foundation for Responsible Alcohol Consumption in the Netherlands

  • Felicity Carter

    LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST, PODCAST HOST DRINKS INSIDER

  • Julian Braithwaite

    CEO IARD

    IARD is in charge of promoting responsibility and moderation on a global scale.

  • Thomas Breathnach

    JOURNALIST AND TRAVEL WRITER

  • Eduardo Santander

    CEO / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EUROPEAN TRAVEL COMMISSION (ETC)

  • Serge Guillou

    VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL BARTENDERS ASSOCIATION

  • Camille Delpoux

    GLOBAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER MAISON FERRAND

  • Edward Martin

    MASTER DISTILLER AND BREWER FERME DE MONT-SAINT-JEAN, WATERLOO

  • Enrico Bocedi

    GROUP HEAD OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY CAMPARI GROUP

  • Alberto Mattiacci

    MARKETING AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FULL PROFESSOR AT SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY OF ROME

  • Gabriele Castelli

    DIRECTOR OF FEDERVINI

  • Dirk Jacobs

    DIRECTOR GENERAL AT FOODDRINKEUROPE

  • Vincenzo Genovese

    EU Affairs Reporter / Euronews

The week at a glance

Explore four days of discussions, networking events, and experiences celebrating the role of spirits in Europe's culture, communities, agriculture, hospitality, and economy.

  • Monday 7 September

    FOSTERING CONVIVIALITY: THE SPIRITS SECTOR IN EUROPE’S SOCIAL DNA
    17:00 - 18:30


    OPENING RECEPTION - THE BELGIUM NIGHT
    18:45 - 20:30

  • Tuesday 8 September

    ALL IN MODERATION: BALANCING PLEASURE AND RESPONSIBILITY
    11:30 - 13:00

    spiritsEUROPE TRADE EVENT 2026 - TRADE, GEOPOLITICS AND RESILIENCE IN A CHANGING WORLD
    17:00 - 18:30

    COCKTAIL RECEPTION
    18:45 - 20:30

  • Wednesday 9 September

    FEDERVINI - MODERATE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, A CASE STUDY
    09:30 - 11:00

    SPIRITS: OUR ROLE IN HELPING SUSTAIN EUROPE’S AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD SECTOR
    14:30-17:00

    THE SPIRIT OF FINE PAIRING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH oriGIn EU
    18:45-20:30

  • Thursday 10 September

    EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS AND COMPETITIVENESS: SPIRITS AS A MADE IN EUROPE SUCCESS STORY
    11:30-13:00

    HOW SPIRITS HELP SUSTAIN TOURISM AND A DYNAMIC HOSPITALITY SECTOR IN EUROPE
    17:00 - 18:30

    CLOSING RECEPTION
    18:45 - 20:30

Detailed programme

Discover the topics, speakers, and experiences that celebrate the spirit we share. Registration is required for each individual session and attendance is subject to approval.

Monday 7 September

Fostering Conviviality:
The Spirits Sector in Europe’s Social DNA

07/09/2026 | 17:00 - 18:30

  • Explore how conviviality—deeply embedded in Europe’s social DNA and everyday life—shapes cultural identity, social cohesion, and the way people connect across the continent. Rooted in shared practices and in spaces such as bars, cafés, and local venues, it remains a defining feature of how Europeans gather, exchange, and build relationships, even in an increasingly digital society. The discussion will highlight how the spirits sector helps keep Europe’s social fabric vibrant, by sustaining the places and traditions that foster dialogue, human connection, and a sense of belonging. Speakers will also underline the sector’s link to Europe’s cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and local SMEs, reflecting on what is at stake for communities when these forms of conviviality, and the spaces that enable them, begin to fade.

  • Opening Address
    Francesco Lollobrigida - Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (video address)

    Moderator
    Enrico Bocedi - Group Head of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Campari Group

    Panelists

    • MEP Marion Walsmann - Member of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) and 'conviviality ambassador' for the German spirits sector

    • MEP Dario Nardella - member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and S&D Coordinator within the Committee (participating via video call)

    • Frederic Molina and Stéphanie Mantey - The husband-and-wife team behind the bistro “La Timbale”

    • Marie Audren - Director General, HOTREC, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe

    Closing Remarks
    Alain Fontaine - Founder of the Bistrots et Cafés de France Association

Register

Opening Reception - The Belgium Night

07/09/2026 | 18:45 - 20:30

Join us for an immersive opening reception celebrating the Spirit of Europe through the flavours, craftsmanship and heritage of our host country, Belgium. Meet Belgian distillers, explore our sensory aroma lab and discover a curated selection of distinctive Belgian spirits in an evening dedicated to exchange, discovery and European connection.

Guests can also enjoy a dedicated cocktail bar hosted by Campari.

Register

Tuesday 8 September

All in Moderation:
Balancing Pleasure and Responsibility

08/09/2026 | 11:30 - 13:00

  • A sharp, timely discussion on evolving alcohol‑and‑health narratives, from moderation to “no safe level” debates. Experts will examine evidence, risk communication, and the role of policymakers, media, and industry in supporting informed adult choices.

    This panel is followed by a light lunch (optional).

  • Opening Address
    Adonis Georgiadis - Greek Minister of Health

    Keynote speaker
    “What makes life worth living?”
    Robert Pfaller - Professor of Philosophy & Cultural Theory, University of Art and Design Linz (participating via video call)

    Moderator
    Peter de Wolf - Director of STIVA, the Foundation for Responsible Alcohol Consumption, Netherlands

    Panelists

    • Dr Foteini Koulouri - Administrative Scientist (MSc PhD PostDoc), Head of General Directorate of Public Health & Quality of Life, Ministry of Health - Greece

    • Felicity Carter - Journalist & Host of the Drinks Insider Podcast

    • Julian Braithwaite - CEO of IARD

Register

spiritsEUROPE Trade Event 2026 - Trade, Geopolitics and Resilience in a Changing World

08/09/2026 | 17:00 - 18:30

  • As Europe navigates an increasingly complex global trading environment, join spiritsEUROPE's annual trade event for the launch of its latest trade report and a high-level discussion on geopolitics, competitiveness, trade diversification and the future of EU trade policy with DG TRADE DDG Denis Redonnet.

    The discussion will be followed by a networking cocktail reception from 18:45 - 20:30.

    The trade event and the reception is by special invitation only.

    • H.E. Pranay Verma -Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union

    • Denis Redonnet - Deputy Director-General, DG TRADE

    • Mark Titterington - Director General, spiritsEUROPE

    • Pauline Bastidon - Director, Competitiveness & Trade, spiritsEUROPE

Register

Cocktail Reception

08/09/2026 | 18:45 - 20:30

Join us for an informal cocktail reception bringing together policymakers, industry representatives and stakeholders from across Europe’s spirits sector.

Following the day's discussions, this reception offers an opportunity to continue conversations, strengthen connections and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting while enjoying a selection of cocktails and light refreshments.

Guests can also enjoy a dedicated cocktail bar hosted by Hennessy.

Register

Wednesday 9 September

Spirits: Our Role in Helping Sustain Europe’s Agriculture and Agri-food Sector

09/09/2026 | 14:30 - 17:00

  • Explore how spirits, deeply rooted in European agriculture, enable sustainability from farm to bottle whilst contributing substantively to Europe's world leading, export driven agrifood sector. Join Commissioner Christophe Hansen as he delivers the Week’s Keynote Address, followed by Esther Herranz-García MEP and a panel discussion featuring Gijs Schilthuis and Miroslaw Izdebski on the sector’s contribution and the next steps needed to secure its long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability.

  • Keynote Address
    Christophe Hansen - Commissioner for Agriculture and Food

    Speaker
    MEP Esther Herranz-García - Co-Chair of the Wine & Spirits Intergroup

    Panelists

    • Gijs Schilthuis - Director of Sustainability, DG AGRI, European Commission

    • Miroslaw Izdebski - General Manager of Belvedere Distillery

Register

The Spirit of Fine Pairing, in Partnership with oriGIn EU

09/09/2026 | 18:45 - 20:30

Join us, together with oriGIn EU, for an exclusive culinary journey through Europe, where exceptional spirits meet cultural food treasures protected by European Geographical Indications, celebrating the art of perfect pairing.

Guests can also enjoy a dedicated cocktail bar hosted by Pernod Ricard.

Register

Federvini - Moderate Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages, a Case Study

09/09/2026 | 09:30 - 11:00

  • As part of the Spirit of Life Week, Federvini will host an event dedicated to the presentation of a study on responsible alcohol consumption, conducted in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome.

    ​The study examines the Mediterranean model of alcoholic beverage consumption, highlighting its distinctive characteristics, core values, and future development prospects.

    ​The event will feature remarks by Professor Alberto Mattiacci (Sapienza University of Rome), together with institutional representatives from the European Union.

  • Moderator
    Vincenzo Genovese
    EU Affairs Reporter / Euronews

    Speakers

    • Alberto Mattiacci - Marketing and Business Management Full Professor at Sapienza University of Rome

    • Gabriele Castelli - Director of Federvini

Register

Thursday 10 September

European Champions and Competitiveness: Spirits as a Made in Europe Success Story

10/09/2026 | 11:30 - 13:00

  • How can the EU ensure complementarity between industrial renewal and the reinforcement of existing competitive strengths? Focusing on the case study of the spirits sector, this session explores the role of globally leading export sectors in supporting jobs, exports, economic resilience and territorial cohesion in the EU, and what they need to thrive.

    This panel is followed by a light lunch (optional).

  • Confirmed speakers include:

    • MEP Brando Benifei - Member of the European Parliament Conference of Delegation Chairs and INTA Committee, and Substitute Member of IMCO Committee

    • Gilles Bogaert, Executive Vice-President Global Markets, Pernod Ricard

    • Dirk Jacobs, Director General at FoodDrinkEurope

Register

How Spirits Help Sustain Tourism and a Dynamic Hospitality Sector in Europe

10/09/2026 | 17:00 - 18:30

  • This session showcases how distilleries, museums, and cocktail culture fuel tourism and local vitality. Industry and tourism leaders will explore how spirits‑driven experiences support tourism innovation and keep Europe’s hospitality sector dynamic.

  • Opening Adress and Moderator
    Thomas Breathnach - Journalist and Travel Writer

    Panelists

    • Eduardo Santander - CEO / Executive Director, European Travel Commission (ETC)

    • Serge Guillou - Vice-President , International Bartenders Association

    • Camille Delpoux - Secrétaire Générale / Global Executive Officer, Maison Ferrand

    • Edward Martin - Master Distiller & Brewer, Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean in Waterloo, Belgium

Register

Closing Reception

10/09/2026 | 18:45 - 20:30

Join us for the Closing Reception as we bring Spirit of Life Week to a close. This informal networking event offers an opportunity to reflect on the conversations and insights shared throughout the week, reconnect with fellow participants, and continue discussions in a relaxed setting. Together, we will celebrate the spirit we share — a spirit of craftsmanship, hospitality, community, and connection that has long been part of Europe's cultural fabric.

Register

Practical information

Everything you need to know

Find key details about the venue, dates, registration and more to help you plan your Spirit of Life Week experience in Brussels

 

Venue

Bump Policy Experience
Space

Place du Luxembourg 26,
1050 Brussels, Belgium

Located in the heart of the European Quarter, directly opposite the European Parliament and a short walk from Brussels - Luxembourg Station.

  • Registration

    Registration

    Attendance is by invitation and subject to approval. Participants must register separately for each session they wish to attend.

    Confirmation will be sent by email once your registration has been approved.

  • Arrival

    Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of each session. This will allow time for check-in and to get seated before we begin.



  • Language

    All sessions, materials and discussions will be in English.




  • Dates

    September 7 - 10, 2026

    Four days of discussions, networking and evening receptions, celebrating the role of spirits in Europe.


Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ.

  • Yes, you can. Please note that each session requires an individual registration.

  • No. All registrations are reviewed and approved by the organisers.

  • You will receive an email once your registration has been reviewed. You can expect to receive an answer latest 3 weeks before the event.

  • If you have any questions, please reach out to Laura Graham from spiritsEUROPE on graham@spirits.eu.