Vinexpo Asia 2023 makes big impression

Quality attendance sets new standards at Vinexpo Asia 2023

The expo exceeded expectations with a highly qualified attendance, substantial business generation, and unparalleled knowledge sharing, solidifying its position as the premier gathering for industry professionals in the region.

Vinexpo Asia 2023 witnessed an impressive turnout, with a remarkable and diverse almost 10,000 professionals hailing from 64 countries, with the top five visiting countries being Singapore, China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

The event attracted top-quality buyers, 80 per cent of which have trade and retail activities in the region, providing exhibitors with many business opportunities, whereas 20 per cent were from media, education and institutional organisations.

Highlighting its significance on an international scale, the trade show also welcomed prestigious institutional visits, including ambassadors and high commissioners from 19 countries ambassadors from 16 countries, featuring the US, Vinexpo Asia 2023’s country of honour, with the presence of Jonathan Kaplan, ambassador of the US to Singapore, and the ambassador of France to Singapore Minh di Tang.

“Vinexpo Asia has been great for the exposure of US wines. The quality of the visitors was truly amazing. The entire US area has been busy throughout. We have made many promising contacts from many countries in Southeast Asia. We are proud to have been part of the country of honour this year,” said Christopher Beros, director, Great China and Southeast Asia, California Wine Institute.

The event resulted in unprecedented business

The Vinexpo Asia 2023 also proved to be a catalyst for business growth, with a staggering 75 per cent of exhibitors benefiting from over 3,500 pre-scheduled meetings. These meetings brought together industry professionals, creating meaningful connections and optimizing their participation.

Prospects from well-represented countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia engaged in numerous productive discussions, expanding opportunities for the wine and spirits industry across the region.

The masterclasses empowered knowledge sharing

Vinexpo Asia 2023 showcased its commitment to advancing industry knowledge through the Vinexpo Academy. Forty sessions were hosted and drew in a full attendance of professional attendees who had the privilege to taste and to learn from 70 esteemed international speakers and experts, a testament of Vinexpo Academy’s unwavering popularity among the wine and spirits professionals.

The Vinexpo Academy played a pivotal role in elevating Asian trade to new heights, fostering innovation and excellence within the wine and spirits community.

"The masterclasses were particularly enriching and provided insight. For example, the vertical tasting of Long Dai wines by the general manager of the winery opened up my eyes to the potential of the wines," said Ronald Khoo, Wine & Spirits manager, Cathay Pacific, Catering Centre of Excellence.

The first edition of the newly formed partnership between Vinexposium and Bettane+Dessauve was held in Singapore on the eve of Vinexpo Asia and achieved success, attracting more than a thousand trade buyers and consumers. It demonstrated an exceptional synergy between both brands, as evidenced by the overwhelming enthusiasm from the 40 brands participating.

"For its premiere in Singapore, The B+D Grand Tasting lived up to its promise by showcasing several of the world's best estates. The number of participants surpassed our expectations with more than a thousand wine lovers, enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals," said Thierry Desseauve, president of Bettane+Desseauve.

The resounding success of Vinexpo Asia 2023 reflects the strong confidence in the Vinexpo brand from the wine and spirits industry and the Vinexposium’s steadfast commitment to Asia. With an annual presence going forward, the Vinexpo Asia event will alternate between Hong Kong and Singapore.

Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium Group, expressed his delight at Vinexpo Asia’s highly praised comeback.

"The positive feedback about this year's event in Singapore demonstrated the immense potential and significance of the Asian market for the wine and spirits industry. We are excited to announce that Vinexpo Asia 2024 will be held in Hong Kong, building upon the achievements of this year's edition as well as in Singapore in 2025," he said.

As for representatives from Vietnam, the majority of participating buyers and distributors expressed high levels of anticipation regarding the return of Vinexpo Asia to the region, as well as enthusiasm about potential business opportunities.

"Vinexpo Asia has been the first event in past years when we could finally all meet, and I could feel the excitement for the gathering," said Philippe Richart, owner of Wine Embassy Vietnam.

"Vinexpo has been, for me, very successful as I could achieve our three main objectives: meeting our existing wine suppliers to further build up the relationship, finalising potential new suppliers with whom we were already in discussion, and prospecting and discovering new opportunities. And the quality of wines is getting better year after year."

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.