ProWine Asia hails increase in visitors and exhibitors

International fair ProWine Asia has reported a 4% increase in trade visitors to its second Hong Kong exhibition.

This year’s ProWine Asia returned to Hong Kong

Following its debut in Hong Kong in 2017, ProWine Asia returned to the territory on 7-10 May, when its exhibition space increased by 20%. ProWine Asia alternates between Hong Kong and Shanghai as its setting each year.

More than 340 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions participated in ProWine Asia 2019, compared to 310 in 2017, marking a 9.6% increase.

Meanwhile, 12,716 trade visitors from 62 countries and regions attended the event, up from 12,184 in 2017 – a 4% increase.

A total 36% of the visitors came from outside Hong Kong, predominantly from southern China, Macau, Taiwan and Korean, marking a 8.4% increase in international visitors.

“As one of the most open and economically vibrant regions, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is definitely the buzzword in 2019, [and] Hong Kong plays an important role in this initiative,” said Bastian Mingers, global head of wine and spirits and director of ProWein.

“Four days of business opportunities and rewarding interactions between producers, importers, distributors, key buyers and industry experts proved again that ProWine Asia 2019 in Hong Kong is well positioned as the strategic gateway to tap into the Asian wine boom.”

Mingers succeeded Marius Berlemann in the role on 1 April this year. Berlemann stepped into the position of general manager of the Shanghai subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf, the company behind ProWein.

ProWine Asia was held as part of Hofex 2019, Asia’s leading food and hospitality trade show. The exhibition is jointly organised by Messe Düsseldorf China and UBM Asia, organiser of Hofex.

In March, Düsseldorf’s ProWein event achieved a record number of visitors and exhibitors for its 25th anniversary.