SUCCESSFUL DEBUT OF PROWINE ASIA IN HONG KONG
The Hong Kong debut of ProWine Asia, International Trade Fair for Wines and Spirits, concluded successfully: 310 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions presented the newest and most popular wines, spirits and solutions to 12,184 trade visitors from 67 nations. The event was organized by Messe Düsseldorf China and held as part of HOFEX 2017, Asia’s leading food & hospitality trade-show. ProWine Asia is part of Messe Düsseldorf’s international trade fair program and alternates between Singapore and Hong Kong.
ProWine Asia 2017 recorded strong regional and international participation. In addition to individual exhibitors, the trade fair featured national and regional group exhibits from France, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Austria, South Africa, Cyprus and the U.S. On the attendee side, 35% of the trade visitors came from outside Hong Kong – predominantly from Southern China, Macau, Taiwan and Philippines.
“Expansion in Asia-Pacific is a priority for many exhibitors in our international network. ProWine Asia’s development in both of the major trading centers Hong Kong and Singapore offer important connections to generate new business for our exhibitors. We are very pleased with the initial feedback from participants at the Hong Kong debut this year,” commented Marius Berlemann, Global Head Wines & Spirits, Director ProWein.
Daniel Cheung, General Manager of UBM HKES – organizer of HOFEX, added: “HOFEX 2017 received widespread and significant support from both international exhibitors and hospitality industry leaders from around Asia. ProWine Asia had a successful and seamless debut in Hong Kong at HOFEX and has contributed to a noticeable increase in buyers from Macao, Taiwan, Philippines and Korea. This has again been a major milestone for the industry and has further enhanced HOFEX as one of the most prestigious international food and hospitality events in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Exhibitors were pleased with their participation in ProWine Asia 2017. Zantho Austrian Fine Wines reported important business opportunities and receiving large orders on-site by Chinese importers. Les Grand Chais De France praised the organization of ProWine Asia and the wealth of business prospects at the premiere event. BC Wine and Food, suppliers of German wine and spirits, commended trade visitors for their professionalism and interest in new products. The trade visitors were greatly satisfied with the quality and industry focus of the products on display and the ancillary program.
A first-class event program complemented the ProWine Asia exhibits on all four days. The industry’s top experts from international and regional markets offered their insight and knowledge. One of the highlights were the seminars and guided tastings by Jancis Robinson OBE, MW with the topic “How do I judge wine quality” and choice selections of wines in the category “Under-appreciated grape varieties.” Debra Meiburg, MW hosted a series of Asia Wine Summit seminars covering e-commerce, marketing by gender and improving sales through wine-education as well as Asia-Pacific industry trends.
Other event programs included the wine, spirits, whisky and sake master-classes by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), exclusive tastings at the ProWine Asia Champagne Lounge as well as seminars by Jennie Mack from the Asia Wine Service Education Center (AWSEC) and events by Highland Park & Edrington. In addition, international wine seminars were offered by Austria, Israel, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
The next ProWine Asia will take place from April 24 – 27, 2018 in Singapore and will return to Hong Kong from May 7 – 10, 2019. Another ProWine event will be held this year: ProWine China – from November 14 – 16, 2017 in Shanghai. On the schedule for next year is the “flagship” event ProWein in Düsseldorf, Germany, to be held from March 18 – 20, 2018.
For further information on visiting or exhibiting at any of the worldwide ProWein/ProWine events, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com; 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_MDN
