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 specialty 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. Organizers 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 afterward. 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.”

ProWein now travels east, with ProWine Asia taking place from 8 to 11 April. 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.”

Read more at source: Thedrinksbusiness