Hong Kong toasts return of Vinexpo Asia

The three-day trade show, the industry’s flagship event, had over 10,000 trade visitors from 60 countries, showcasing 1,032 wine and spirits producers from 35 exhibitor countries.

From left to right - Vinexposium group CEO Rodolphe Lameyse, France’s Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary, Hong Kong SAR Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Dr Bernard Chan, and Executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dane Cheng at the Vinexpo Asia 2024 opening ceremony

The grand reopening ceremony was attended by Vinexposium group CEO Rodolphe Lameyse with guests of honour including France’s Ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary, Hong Kong SAR Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bernard Chan, and Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, as well as 19 consuls general and ambassadors representing producing countries, major wine and trade associations, and VIP representatives of the industry from around the world.

“It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome you to Vinexpo Asia Hong Kong 2024. Since 1998, Vinexpo Asia has established itself as the key event for our industry in Asia, and we are particularly pleased to be returning after an absence of six years” said Lameyse at the opening ceremony.

Highlighting some of the challenges currently faced by the global wine and spirits industry, Lameyse added, “Our return to Hong Kong brings a wave of optimism and hope. Indeed, Asia and specifically China proves to be a key market for our industry, and we intend to play a crucial role in this commercial momentum.”

10,000 Visitors from around the world come to check in at Vinexpo Asia 2024

Meanwhile, Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, welcomed old friends and new and said, “It is the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s pleasure to have successfully lined up the event with Vinexposium to bring the event back to Hong Kong."

"The staging of significant events such as Vinexpo Asia in Hong Kong is a testament to the city’s strong fundamentals as a premier destination for business and trade fairs. Hong Kong continues to play a pivotal role as a catalyst for the economic growth and vitality of the Asian wine and spirits market.”

China is a highly strategic market for exhibitors, with 19 per cent growth in wine and spirits expected by 2027, according to IWSR. It is also among the major exhibitors, along with Italy, Spain, Australia, the United States, Chile, New Zealand and Japan.

Press conners in the heart of Vinexpo Asia Exhibition Hall

Meanwhile the WHO expects Vietnam to be the biggest consumer of alcohol per capital in Asia by 2025, with it intake being made up 91.5 per cent of beer, 7.7 per cent of spirits, and 0.8 per cent of wine. The country is also considered a key market in Southeast Asia.

Visitors could also keep informed with the latest industry insights at the Vinexpo Academy, and Vinexpo Asia 2024 also provided an opportunity to learn, taste and exchange ideas about wine at top-tier masterclasses, conferences and discovery tastings led by 75 experts and sommeliers.

Vinexpo Asia 2024 attracts 1,032 brand producers from 35 countries

Highlights this year included premier tastings ‘Les Grandes Dégustations’, where fine Bordeaux estates were introduced by the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB); and Italian wine guide Gambero Rosso presentsing the most awarded wines from the latest Vini d’Italia Guide.

Also of special interest was the conference titled “Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area: Consumer Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for the Industry”, held to release the findings of a YouGov survey conducted online in May.

The survey highlighted several key points, including that alcohol consumption is now more prevalent in the GBA than Hong Kong in a number of categories, including red wine, whisky, brandy, beer and baijiu.

“With its strategic location and market position, this represents a golden opportunity for the wine and spirits, hospitality and other associated sectors to recalibrate and leverage Hong Kong as a hub and gateway to develop the GBA region,” said general manager of YouGov Hong Kong, Philippe Chan.

The trade show held an exciting programme of events and tastings, including a ‘Roundtable with Industry Titans’ featuring Don St Pierre and Dan Siebers, ‘Star Wine List of the Year Asia’, ‘Winning India’s Wine Market’, and ‘Chinese Bajiu Goes Global.’

The Vinexpo Academy 2024 programme schedule and updated contents can be viewed online at vinexposium.com

Vinexpo Asia returns to the heart of Asia The Vinexposium group is ramping up its commitment to Asia by turning Vinexpo Asia into a key annual event for the wine and spirits industry across the region.

Vinexpo Asia 2023 makes big impression Vinexpo Asia, the leading international trade show for the wine and spirits sector in Asia, concluded its event from May 23 to 25 in Singapore.

2024 marks major return for Vinexpo Asia to Hong Kong The Vinexposium group remains committed to the wine and spirits industry, consolidating its role as a pivotal catalyst for growth in the Asian market by hosting Vinexpo Asia, the flagship international wine and spirits trade exhibition in Asia, from May 28 to 30 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.