Exhibition Hong-Kong
Success confirmed by final figures for Vinexpo Asia Pacific 2008!
The success of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008 in Hong Kong reveals how much the Asian wine and spirits professionals were awaiting the event. The attendance of large numbers of important buyers, importers and distributors, alongside the international press and renowned experts, who spoke at the seminars and led tastings, confirms the leadership of Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in this area.
This exhibition has become a ‘must-attend’ event for professionals who are increasingly numerous and come from 18 different countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Intentionally restricted in floor area, to adapt itself to visitors’ requirements, this exhibition is primarily aimed for wine and spirits exporters worldwide, who use this event to expand their distribution on markets which are constantly developing.
An organisation solely dedicated to the wine and spirits sector
With a board of governors comprised of key figures from this profession and guided by the interest of firms which obtain direct results from it (the best “return on investment”), Vinexpo is investing to increase this efficiency (buildings, promotion, research, new lay-outs for increased comfort …), having talks with the senior managers of this sector, and in cooperation with them, is launching lobbying activities (for example: negotiating customs charges in Asia). Approximately 700 producers from 22 countries will present their products to visitors from the Asia-Pacific zone. Thanks to its “University”, Vinexpo will offer professionals the opportunity to perfect their knowledge of tasting, sales and distribution.
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific: global supply…
The lay-out of the 7 000 m² of stands at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific is being finalised. Producing-countries exhibiting this year are: France, Italy, Spain, the United States, South Africa, Germany, Chile, United Kingdom, Portugal, China, Argentina …
Amongst leading international names we can mention are Henkell & Söhnlein Sektkellereien (Germany), Dynasty Fine Wines (China), Santa Rita (Chile), Marques de Caceres (Spain), Banfi Distribuzione (Italy), Santa Margherita (Italy), Baarsma Wine Group (Netherlands), Sogrape (Portugal).
France shows a large number of representatives.
As in 2006, a ‘French Pavillion’ covering an area of 1 000 m², whose coordination has been entrusted to the SOPEXA, will welcome numerous French wine companies. As well as this French exhibition area, reputed firms have also confirmed their participation, such as Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Lanson International, Castel Frères, Maison Louis Latour, Les Grands Chais de France, Jadot, Champagne Thiénot, CVBG Dourthe Kressmann and La Martiniquaise.
A unique opportunity to establish contacts with buyers from all over this region of the world
The exhibition expects to welcome 7 500 to 8 000 professional visitors (importers, wholesalers, buyers from the hyper & supermarket and duty-free sector, retailers, food & beverage managers, sommeliers, restaurateurs …) from the Asia-Pacific zone, for whom this forthcoming show in Hong Kong is exclusively reserved.
A promotion campaign as huge as those organised previously will begin in 12 countries of the zone. It will include sending thousands of brochures, with insertion of adverts, press conferences and meetings with professionals. Travel Packages (plane + hotel) will also be organised to facilitate travel arrangements for professionals in the Asia-Pacific zone.
A “University” to perfect knowledge
The Vinexpo Asia-Pacific University, held at the same time as the exhibition, is undoubtedly a concept that appeals to those who attend this event. This forum of ideas, discussions and tasting sessions constitutes a key meeting place for those who want to discover new products and skills or simply perfect their knowledge. Exhibitors, national and regional promotion organisations will be the main coordinators. Numerous regions of the world collectively and several businesses individually have already reserved seminars or tasting sessions at the University.
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific University is establishing new features this year. As well as tastings planned by exhibitors, the exhibition has decided to organise its own events based on five main themes that correspond to the expectations of Asian markets: Knowledge of winegrowing areas worldwide/ Tastings/ Matching food and wine/ Marketing – Sales/ Spirits.
Meaningful figuresThe exhibition held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, welcomed 8,868 exclusively professional visitors, exactly 28.8% more than in 2006.
45% of these came from Hong Kong and Macao, while 55% were from 19 other Asian-Pacific countries: continental China (2,254) led with twice as many visitors as in 2006, followed by Korea (657), Taiwan (438), Japan (209), Singapore (203), Australia (175), Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and other countries in the region.
These visitors represented all the different business sectors: importers, wholesalers, retailers, sommeliers and food & beverage managers, duty free and airline purchasers, and the hospitality sector.
375 journalists from Asian press, radio and TV covered the event as well as a number of European and US general and trade press correspondents.
692 exhibitors from 32 countries presented the largest range of wines and spirits ever put on display at a single venue in Asia-Pacific and had around 70,000 bottles available for tasting.
The University hosted 33 seminars and was visited by more than 4,500 professionals. The presentations and tastings were particularly well attended by visitors, who continuously sought information with a real thirst for knowledge.
And don’t forget that number 8! It is a symbol of luck and success in Asia – the Beijing Olympics are due to begin at 8.08 on 8 August 2008 – so the 8,868 visitors, who came to Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2008, clearly represent in Asian minds a very auspicious number…
All this information can be found on: www.vinexpo.com
