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

​This session will open with the presentation of the latest spiritsEUROPE CEOs sentiment survey, providing first-hand insights into business confidence, investment conditions, and the main policy and market challenges affecting the sector’s ability to grow, innovate and compete globally.

Building on these findings, the discussion will explore what conditions are needed for leading European export industries to continue generating value for the European economy in a rapidly changing global environment. It will examine how external economic and geopolitical pressures, alongside internal factors such as Single Market fragmentation and evolving regulatory frameworks, influence competitiveness outcomes.

A particular focus will be placed on how EU policies on taxation, trade and the Single Market can better support globally competitive sectors that depend on open, predictable and rules-based international markets.

By bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and stakeholders, the session will contribute to a broader reflection on how industrial renewal can be aligned with the reinforcement of existing competitive strengths, ensuring that Europe continues to build on the full breadth of its economic champions.

​Confirmed speakers include:

• ​Brando Benifei MEP (IT, S&D) - 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

​This panel is followed by a light lunch from 1 pm to 2.30 pm (optional).