ProWein hails ‘transformative’ exhibition

ProWein 2014 welcomed an increase number of visitors this year in a show its organisers said had, “transformed…Düsseldorf into the international wine capital of the world”.

Between 23 and 25 March, 48,000 visitors from around the world descended on the German city – a 7% rise on last year even though the show did not expand.

Organiser Messe Düsseldorf reported that the response to the fair had been “overwhelming”, saying: “Some 97% of the visitors polled said they had achieved their aims and were satisfied with the event.”

Hans Werner Reinhard, deputy managing director of Messe Düsseldorf, added: “This year’s anniversary event adds one more chapter to ProWein’s success story. The mood in the exhibition halls was the best and the number of international trade visitors from retail and gastronomy has risen once again. “ProWein is the worldwide leading trade fair in the sector – a trend show and order platform with international appeal.”

There was a larger attendance from countries such as China and Hong Kong and it is hoped that this will boost attendance figures at ProWein China which is taking place in Shanghai from 12-14 November this year.

As ever, there was a lot of interest in the German wines at the fair, Monika Reule, managing director of the German Wine Institute, said: “The mood among exhibitors in the German hall this year was very good. Their wines were in great demand from the many trade visitors from home and abroad. In terms of the quality and professionalism of the trade audience, once again this year ProWein proved itself to be the most important wine fair in the world.”