New records set at ProWein 2017

Director of ProWein, Marius Berlemann, described this year’s show as “sensational” after record numbers of visitors and exhibitors were reported.

(Photo: ProWein)

An unprecedented 6,500 exhibitors from more than 60 nations attended ProWein this year in Düsseldorf, Germany. Representing all of the world’s significant winegrowing regions and also featuring 300 speciality spirits, half of the exhibitors came from strongholds Italy and France.

A total of 58,500 trade visitors from 130 different countries came to ProWein this year, up on last year’s figures of 55,700 from 126 nations. Organisers also reported ‘high numbers of managers,’ with two-thirds of all attendees described as ‘top decision-makers.’

ProWein also displayed its business credentials with just below 60% of trade visitors conducting deals during the fair or planning to do so afterwards. In addition, half of attendees found new suppliers.

Commenting on this year’s event, Hans Werner Reinhard, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf, said “ProWein is an incredibly intensive trade fair. For three days very concentrated and effective business goes on here. Visitors particularly included key players – important importers and representatives from large international commercial chains. Again this year the sector showed how strong and capable it is.

“An extremely high number of orders were placed and a great deal of new business ideas were discussed.”

Jancis Robinson MW (Photo: ProWein)

In addition to the record visitor and exhibitor figures recorded, ‘special focal points’ such as the Champagne Lounge, Organic World, the Tasting Area by Mundus Vini and the fizzz Lounge proved successful. The “SAME but different” show, consisting of around 500 tastings and events held at exhibitors’ stands or in the ProWein Forum also attracted large numbers, with wine critic Jancis Robinson presenting her ProWein favourites.

Pop star Sting and his wife Trudie Styler added a touch of glamour to the occasion, presenting their Il Palagio range and launching the Il Palagio Tasting Tour.

ProWein’s new Business Report, a collaboration with Geisenheim University, debuted at this year’s fair. It was based on a poll of around 1,500 wine producers, retailers, wholesalers, importers/exporters and hospitality workers from 46 different countries and provides information on international wine markets, marketing trends and the development of wine sales channels. Organisers hope that it will prove to be “an annual barometer of trends” in the industry.

Sting and his wife Trudie Styler (Photo: ProWein)

ProWein now travels east, with ProWine Asia taking place from 8 to 11 May. Marius Berlemann, global head of wine and spirits and director of ProWein added, “The sensational final result of ProWein 2017 in Düsseldorf gives us another considerable boost for our satellite events in China and Asia.

“This once again underlines what we stand for: for professionalism and concentrated business.”

Next year’s ProWein will be held in Düsseldorf from 18 to 20 March 2018.