The premiere staging of the ProWine China trade fair concluded in Shanghai with successful results: over three days, 570 exhibitors from 30 nations showcased their new vintages and product innovations to 7,650 trade visitors. Exhibitors and visitors alike praised ProWine China 2013 for its international diversity and professionalism.
ProWine China, a new event from the organizer of ProWein – the world No. 1 trade fair for wines and spirits held annually in Düsseldorf, Germany – was jointly organized by the Messe Düsseldorf Group and China International Exhibitions Ltd, a member of the Allworld Exhibitions network. ProWine China was held together with FHC China, the country’s leading trade fair for imported food.
The first edition of ProWine China exceeded expectations already before the opening of the event. The originally planned exhibition area had to be expanded by 25% due to a continually increasing demand from international exhibitors. With companies from 30 countries, ProWine China featured twice as many nations as any other wine exhibition in Mainland China. The world’s leading wine brands used the event as a platform to further extend their business in China. On the visitor side, the organizers noted the very satisfying number of 6,727 Mainland China visitors (as well as some 900 overseas buyers) with exhibitors confirming that ProWine China set a new benchmark regarding the large participation of professional importers, distributors, retailers and F&B managers. “We are proud and happy to have succeeded in bringing the prosperous concept of ProWein, which is based on variety, internationality and a pure business focus, to the Chinese market. ProWine China had a very good start this year and on this basis we will continue the work for the next edition in 2014. We look forward to further developing this exhibition into the No. 1 trade fair for wines and spirits in China,” stated Michael Degen, Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf and Director of ProWein.
Brendan Jennings, General Manager of China International Exhibitions Ltd, added: “ProWine China 2013 has exceeded our expectations on every front – from the quality to the quantity of trade visitors. By welcoming some 900 overseas buyers from outside Mainland China we have established ProWine China as the must attend event for wine professionals in Asia.”
For Li Demei, Professor at the Beijing University of Agriculture and one of China’s most renowned wine experts, ProWine China is “the best wine exhibition in Mainland China”. He usually spends half a day at an exhibition but he visited ProWine China for two days. “It is very well organized and the exhibitors and visitors really are professionals – I’ll definitely be back for ProWine China 2014”, he said.
“At ProWine China 2013, the quality of trade visitors was at least 300% higher compared to any other wine exhibition in China. I had some very promising new leads at ProWine China 2013”, remarked Günter J. Müller from Weingut Domäne Müller.
Michael Jordan, U.S. Master Sommelier who participated as a judge in the China Sommeliers Wines and Spirits Challenge (CSWSC) which took place from November 10 – 12, 2013 as part of the extensive ProWine China ancillary program was also pleased with the new trade fair: “I love ProWine China, it has a great energy and the combination of ProWine China and FHC China is a great benefit.”
The exhibits at ProWine China 2013 were complemented by the ProWine China Forum and the ProWine China Master Classes with more than 100 events. The visitors valued the numerous tastings and seminars providing insights into the international wine market. With additional events like the “Winestars World China 2013” competition and the presentations of award-winning wines from CSWSC, the ProWine China event program also set a new standard.
The next edition of ProWine China will take place from November 12 – 14, 2014 in Shanghai. For further information visit our web site ; Subscribe to our blog; Follow us on Twitter.