Rodolphe Lameyse Steps Down as Vinexposium CEO After Record-Breaking Wine Paris 2026

Rodolphe Lameyse, who has served as CEO of Vinexposium since 2019, announced at the close of Wine Paris 2026 that this year’s edition would be his last in that role. Lameyse will transition to become managing director of the food and beverage division at Comexposium, a company that has partnered with Vinexpo Holdings since 2019 to organize major wine and spirits events, including Vinexpo shows, Wine Paris, and the World Bulk Wine Exhibition. In his new position, Lameyse will also oversee prominent food industry events such as SIAL Paris and Gourmet Selection.

The announcement came during a busy week at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, where Wine Paris 2026 saw record attendance. Preliminary figures from the organizing team indicated a 20% increase in Monday visitors compared to last year. The event has grown rapidly in recent years and is now considered the world’s largest international wine show. Tens of thousands of professionals from across the globe attended this year’s edition.

Lameyse cited the success and scale of Wine Paris as one reason for his move. He explained that the demands of managing such a large event, along with Vinexposium’s other shows, have made it difficult to remain involved in day-to-day operations. “It is packed, and we have so many people here,” he said, noting that the growth in both visitor numbers and exhibitor demand is putting pressure on available space.

To address these challenges, Vinexposium is planning to open more usable space across the pavilions until the refurbishment of Hall 3 is completed. The team is also exploring creative solutions to accommodate increasing exhibitor interest, especially as international participation continues to rise.

Lameyse’s departure means greater responsibility for two key members of the Vinexposium team: Nicolas Cuissard, director of Wine Paris, and Grace Ghazale, director of overseas events. Lameyse described both as experienced colleagues who have developed within the organization and understand its needs. “We have a fantastic team, which we have built year-on-year,” he said. “I can relax with this excellent team in place.”

This year’s show also marked the debut of two co-located events: Be No and Be Spirits. Both were held within the Porte de Versailles center but maintained their own identities and event programs. The addition of these shows fulfills Lameyse’s long-standing goal to expand Vinexposium’s presence in the spirits sector. “I thought, one day we will reach a full show size, and now we’re there,” he said.

Despite the optimism surrounding Wine Paris 2026, Lameyse acknowledged that rapid growth brings new challenges. One priority for Cuissard will be maintaining the event’s unique identity while continuing to expand its reach. “We don’t want to lose our soul, our DNA,” Lameyse said. “This is Wine Paris – it is a human event.”

As Lameyse prepares for his new role at Comexposium, he remains involved with many of the same events but will now oversee a broader portfolio that includes both wine and food exhibitions. The transition comes at a time when Vinexposium faces both opportunities and pressures from its expanding global footprint. With a strong team in place and continued enthusiasm from exhibitors and visitors alike, organizers are focused on sustaining growth while preserving what makes Wine Paris distinctive in the world of international trade shows.