On its 20th anniversary ProWein, International Trade Fair Wines and Spirits, not only transformed the exhibition center but also the entire city of Düsseldorf (Germany) into the international wine and spirits capital of the world. From March 23 – 25, a total of 4,830 exhibitors from 47 countries and more than 48,000 international trade visitors met in the metropolis on the Rhine River. Top notch activities and events accompanying the trade fair also contributed to spreading the exciting mood across the city.
Every year in March Düsseldorf becomes the center and hub of the international wine and spirits sector – a fact impressively proven by ProWein 2014. The 4,830 exhibitors from all relevant wine producing nations and regions of the world made an impressive appearance. The event also presented “newcomers” in the international wine business – such as two Japanese wine estates showcasing their white wines made from the traditional Koshu grape variety in Düsseldorf for the first time. The unique international range once again attracted more trade visitors from both Germany and abroad to ProWein: with more than 48,000 visitors the trade fair posted a plus of 7% over last year (2013: 45,168). Their response to the trade fair was overwhelming: some 97% of the visitors polled said they had achieved their goals and were satisfied with the event. “This year’s anniversary event adds one more chapter to ProWein’s success story. The mood in the exhibition halls was the best and the number of international trade visitors from retail and gastronomy has risen once again. ProWein is the worldwide leading trade fair in the sector – a trend show and order platform with international appeal,” commented Hans Werner Reinhard, Deputy Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.
Messe Düsseldorf not only noted increased visitor numbers from key European markets but also from overseas. “The number of visitors from China and Hong Kong has doubled compared to ProWein 2013,” said Hans Werner Reinhard. “Here we are already seeing the successful synergy effects of ProWine China that celebrated its premiere in Shanghai last November.”
About a third of visitors came to ProWein for the very first time. Therewith, ProWein 2014 was not only the central platform for fostering and deepening existing business links but also a hub for making new ones. Once again international wholesale, retail and specialist retail made up the largest group of visitors followed by experts from the restaurant and hotel industry. Over 70% of visitors are in managerial positions.
Satisfied Exhibitors
Visitors showed especially great interest in wines from Germany, Italy and France – also the countries with the largest country participations amongst exhibitors. Voicing suitably positive feedback was Monika Reule, Managing Director at the German Wine Institute (Deutsches Weininstitut – DWI), at the conclusion of this year’s ProWein: “The mood among exhibitors in the German hall this year was very good. Their wines were in great demand from the many trade visitors from home and abroad. In terms of the quality and professionalism of the trade audience, once again this year ProWein proved itself to be the most important wine trade fair in the world. In the 2013 vintage – whose white wines formed a particular focus in presentations – German producers showcased fresh, fruity and lean wines, as demanded by the market at present.”
Exhibitors in the other exhibition halls were also extremely satisfied. James Gosper, General Manager of Market Development at Wine Australia, said: “ProWein is a truly international show and the Australian wineries were very happy with this year’s event. They were able to do business with buyers from all over Europe – including a very large number from the UK – but also from overseas like Canada and the U.S.”
Varied Supporting Program
Receiving top marks from visitors were the varied special shows and the comprehensive program of events at ProWein 2014. It was not only the over 300 tastings and seminars at exhibitors’ stands and in the ProWein Forum that met with avid interest – the “Champagne Lounge” featuring over 60 types of Champagne and the central Tasting Zone (in cooperation with trade magazine Meininger Verlag with the motto “Premium Wines – Best Quality, Best Price”) were also well attended. In the spirits segment the FIZZZ Lounge staged the “garden drinks” theme that combines spirits with fresh vegetable juices. In addition, the spirits segment at ProWein (with a total of some 400 exhibitors) featured a wide range of liqueurs, traditional brandies and international classics.
See you Soon in Düsseldorf and Shanghai
In addition to ProWein itself, numerous top notch events are now held in conjunction with the trade fair outside the exhibition center. Gala evenings like the presentation of the Meininger Award as well as the numerous events as part of the “ProWein goes City” initiative contribute to the great success of this get-together of the international wine and spirits sector across the city. Which is why not just the organizer, but in fact the entire city of Düsseldorf is looking forward to the next edition of ProWein from March 15 – 17, 2015. Still this year – from November 12 – 14 – Messe Düsseldorf organizes ProWine China in Shanghai, in partnership with China International Exhibitions Ltd., a member of the Allworld Exhibitions network. And to give the international wine and spirits sector the ability to plan long term the dates for ProWein 2016 have also already been announced: March 13 – 15, 2016 in Düsseldorf.
For further information on visiting or exhibiting at ProWein 2015/2016 or ProWine China 2014, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog at http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/FoodBev_MDNA
