Home Archive Subscribe About Contact     Vinexpo Hong Kong – Success via Innovation By vino india The space for international wine exhibitions in Asia is getting busier – a testimony to the importance of this region in the wine world and the perceived potential that the companies are desirous to unlock. Vinexpo Hong Kong unveiled the 7th edition of its biennial show (in even years) on the 24th of May, at the landmark Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Whilst assuring participants of the highest professional standards, Vinexpo offers the opportunity for the leading wine and spirits specialists to gather in one place and maximize business and networking opportunities.   The Inauguration   Around the wine world in three days In a bid to strengthen its international focus, Vinexpo expanded its Supervisory Board in April to include prominent three members of the trade from Chile, USA and Italy. At Vinexpo Hong Kong 2016, almost 1,300 exhibitors from 33 countries showcased the truly global nature of the offer, even if France occupied the whole of Level 3, nearly 50% of the total exhibition space. Wines from the off-beat wine regions of Georgia, Bulgaria and Slovakia were presented alongside the major players. One noticed that the various levels of the convention centre that were rented to the show, were well laid out. The walk-around was quite different from the previous years – far less nudging in the aisles – they definitely appeared wider. Gone were many of the gigantic stands showcasing the ‘mighty’ large corporations, so there were more exhibitors to focus on and discover new wines, new wine regions, new vintages, new wine-making, new scions, new …   The walk-around was quite different from the previous years   The number of visitors to the show over the three days was 17,200 representing a modest increase of only 2.5% over the last edition. But, the number of countries represented by these visitors doubled from 25 in the 2014 edition to 51 in 2016. The organisers claimed a focus on quality more than quantity – Vinexpo Hong Kong effected (and enforced) a ‘trade only’ rule. Having seen hordes of dejected ‘visitors’ at the entrance, the news that the number of visitors from Hong Kong dropped 12% was not surprising.   The trade from India was well represented   The Bee-hive Vinexpo has been in re-branding and re-shaping mode since 2014 (with a change in guard) whilst maintaining its core values of expertise, innovation and creativity. Innovations have been introduced and the needs of the participants (exhibitors and visitors) have been well attended. Even though the 2016 exhibition was modest sized, the interactive smart guide map was the constant companion. The now tested ‘One to Wine Meetings’ service was also quite successful – over 1,500 on-stand meetings were co-ordinated. There was so much happening at the show: - the ever popular Vinexpo Academy had almost 75 events (many themed around Italy which was the ‘Country of Honour’).   One of the 15,000 bottles poured at the Vinexpo Academy   - the Best Sommelier of the World 2016, Jon Arvid Rosengren, presented the Vinexpo Challenge – his first professional international appearance.   Best Sommelier of the World 2016, Jon Arvid Rosengren   - Another first – Shiraz Day – a day dedicated to a grape variety to salute its growing popularity with a full schedule that included a panel discussion, a masterclass, blind tasting, and food pairing. - A new brand, Vinexpo featuring bettane + desseauve, launched by Vinexpo and the two internationally renowned wine and spirits experts to “put winemaking right back in focus”. - The Blend, the evening networking party in the Grand Foyer of the HKCEC, showcased Italian treasures – the flamboyant bartender, Massimo d'Addezio conjuring his creations alongside mixology aficionado Marco Sabellico. Complimentary for all exhibitors and visitors, almost 1,500 guests were catered.   The Blend, the evening networking party   Thumbs up The show is, not surprisingly, focussed on China – which contributed the largest number of buyers. Some mind-boggling figures shared at the special China Market Conference show China as the fifth-largest consumer market for wine and spirits in the world. And one of the top 10 wine producers globally with an output of 120 million cases. Alibaba believes that by 2018, online sales of wine and spirits will be US$12 billion! The focus is clearly not misplaced. In conversation with some participants during the show, we concluded that Vinexpo was on course to becoming the go-to partner in Asia-Pacific – a positive first step towards fulfilling their self-set aim to be a partner for the global wine and spirits sector. Bigger, bolder and better was the general buzz around the show. Most spoke of evolution, and anticipated that the upcoming editions would only get better. Vinexpo weaves a kind of magic spell around itself, despite not having focussed on any activities in the city (yet). As far as India is concerned, the interest levels are not what they could be – the world is waiting for some positive action to back the rhetoric! The vino india team were not hosted by the organisers as they joined the community of journalists from around the world in Hong Kong. One of the group companies of vino india has the Vinexpo mandate for India. O T H E R     S T O R I E S The Iconic Swirling Glass Game, Set, Match – Mr. Wine Enjoyer FINE Privileges And Who's Where