France Bordeaux
Vinexpo’s 30th anniversary
A resounding success
Vinexpo is already thirty years old! Last June, for its 16th edition, the international wine and spirits exhibition registered a new record for attendance from non-French visitors.
Vinexpo 2011 recorded 48,122 visitors from 148 countries, up 3.22% compared to 2009, but over and above this slight increase in numbers, it was the overall effectiveness and profitability of the contacts achieved that marked this 16th edition and completely satisfied all the exhibitors.
One foreign visitor out of three was Asian!
Although they easily formed the majority, representing 62.8% of all visitors, the French buyers were no more numerous than in 2009. The growth in the number of visitors was driven by attendees from the whole world which reached a record with 37.2% of the total, i.e. 17,910 persons, among whom an exceptional Asian participation. China demonstrated its all-powerful influence and its increasing interest in wine by sending 150% more participants. 2,974 Chinese attended Vinexpo, which placed China at the top of the non-French visitors’ table for the first time. And after China, whole of Asia followed: Taiwan, up 65% compared to 2009; Singapore, up 71%; India, up 26%; Vietnam, up 116%; Malaysia, up 74%.
The major Japanese buyers, such as Toshiyuki Tanaka and Toru Yagi (Suntory Wine International Ltd) as well as Yasuhisa Hirose (Enoteca) also insisted on being present. Despite the dreadful earthquake that hit the country last March, 363 Japanese professionals travelled to Vinexpo.
After France and China, the other top 5 visiting nations were the U.S. with 1,403 visitors, UK with 1,342 and Belgium with 1,172.
Europe stood out thank to the strong representation from the importing countries. After UK and Belgium came Germany with 5.41% more visitors, the Netherlands, up 6% and Switzerland with 2.73% more visitors. The major producing countries in Europe, like Spain and Italy, were also well represented by their buyers, especially those from hyper- and supermarket networks. There were also significant increases in the number of visitors from Russia, up 27.2%, Ukraine, up 136%, the United Arab Emirates, up 77.5% and Turkey, up 20.9%.
Exhibitors from 47 countries
One of Vinexpo’s strengths is clearly how uniquely representative it is. The exhibition puts the widest range of wines and spirits in the world on show. At this 16th edition, 40,000 sqm of stand area was attributed to 2,400 exhibitors from 47 countries. Visitors were presented with wines from the major producing countries–France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Chile, the U.S., Austria, Argentina and Portugal–but they could also try wines from the Golan Heights ( Syria) and even a wine made in Thailand. Spirits companies accounted for 12% of the total stand area.
VINEXPO
2, cours du XXX Juillet
33074 BORDEAUX CEDEX - FRANCE
Tél. : + 33 (0)5 56 56 00 22
Fax : + 33 (0)5 56 56 00 00
www.vinexpo.com
“Tastings by Vinexpo”
The latest development at the exhibition was unanimously applauded. For the first time, tastings were organized within a new facility, branded“Tastings by Vinexpo”. This proved to be an enormous success, attracting a total of 13,250 professionals, who attended to find out more about a new product, to widen their knowledge or to prepare for negotiations that then took place on the stands.
These tastings were complemented with conferences and presentations delivered by industry experts.
Powerful media coverage
1,254 journalists from 54 countries also paced the Vinexpo aisles. The exhibition’s press centre was a hub of intense activity and the international written press coverage, as well as the many radio and television features worldwide, gave full expression to the enthusiasm of the media.
With high quality visitors, energetic and motivated exhibitors, prestigious tastings and a composed, focussed atmosphere, all the ingredients were right for Vinexpo to strengthen its position as the world
leading wine and spirits exhibition.
Dominique Peyral-Bon
Crédit Photo : Frédéric Demesure / Yann Kerveno
