The exact number of visitors will be calculated at the end of today, the final day of Vinexpo Hong Kong, but Deglise smiles and announces, `Even by the second day, we already surpassed the visitors numbers [17,000] from last year.`

What makes Vinexpo attractive to wine professionals like me, is the combination of professionalism, quality exhibitors and senior-level attendees. There are plenty of wine fairs that try to compete with Vinexpo – Vinitaly and Prowein to name a few. While Vinitaly has a reputation for being fun and having a party-like atmosphere, it is almost too relaxed with too many wine drinkers, rather than professionals, more intent on partying than conducting business. Prowein is serious, dead serious. Those who attend, dash in and out; it’s all about business. While Vinexpo is held in Bordeaux or Hong Kong in alternating years, Prowein is in Dusseldorf. If you had a choice, which city would you like to spend a week in?

Competition within China is quite fierce for exhibitors` dollars. There is Interwine in Guangzhou, ProWine China, Shanghai International Wine & Spirits, Vinitaly China and China`s very own Food and Drinks Fair held in the spring in Chengdu every year. I have participated in nearly every wine expo in China and the organization leaves a lot to be desired. Everything from set up to service and organization of visits is chaotic and getting wines cleared through customs to be tasted at the show is a nightmare.

Full article can be found at source Forbes.com