Record Vinexpo Asia Pacific marks Asia’s growing wine stature

HONG KONG. Vinexpo Asia Pacific, the region’s largest international wine and spirits exhibition, closed last week at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) following three record-breaking days in terms of exhibitors and visitors.

The three-day exhibition – held in Hong Kong for the fourth time – was the largest to date, occupying over 8,500sq m of the HKCEC and attracting more than 880 exhibitors from 32 countries around the world. These included China, Australia, US, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, Romania, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Chile and Greece. The event marked the first appearance for a number of countries.

An estimate places the number of visitors at over 12,000, an increase of about +40% on Vinexpo Asia Pacific 2008.

The trade show attracted wine and spirits importers, wholesalers and retailers, duty free and airline buyers, and food & beverage professionals.

58% of visitors were from 25 Asian countries, led by China and followed by Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Singapore. 42% of visitors were from Hong Kong and Macau.

The Vinexpo Asia Pacific, held in Hong Kong for the fourth time, is the largest to date, occupying over 8,500sq m of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and attracting more than 880 exhibitors from 32 countries around the world


Vinexpo Asia Pacific CEO Robert Beynat commented: “As our survey showed, Asia is now the most dynamic and happening market in the wine and spirits world. The total volume of wine consumption is increasing four times faster than the world average and is expected to continue in the next five years. Furthermore, Asia Pacific accounts for 50.6% of total world spirits consumption.

“Our decision to return to Hong Kong was right; this has been a resounding success for everyone, from the impressive range and reputation of the exhibitors who represent all of the world’s major wine and spirits producing countries, to the calibre of the visitors.

“Our exhibitors have evidently made Vinexpo Asia Pacific a priority, as we can see from the scale and quality of their stands and showcases. We are confident that business opportunities gained from this show will reflect their investment.”

A highlight of the show was the Vinexpo Academy, which offered a programme of 42 tastings, seminars, master classes and presentations hosted by leading figures from the world of wine and spirits.

“The Vinexpo Academy was created in response to requests from the industry, as a platform to further develop knowledge and understanding,” said Vinexpo Asia Pacific Chairman Dominique Hériard Dubreuil. “This is an unparallelled opportunity for visitors to come face to face with some of the world’s leading specialists to broaden their knowledge and build their confidence.”

Dubreuil concluded: “The exhibitors were extremely impressed with the quality of the professional contacts they have made here, as well as the noticeable improvement in their knowledge and appreciation of wine and spirits. We firmly believe that this will help stimulate growth of the industry in the region and ultimately benefit the consumer.”

The next Vinexpo exhibition will take place in Bordeaux, France from 19 to 23 June 2011. Vinexpo is staged every two years in Bordeaux, and overseas in alternate years.

For more information visit www.vinexpo.com

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