Vinexpo Asia To Make Hong Kong Permanent Home

After just two runs in Singapore, Vinexpo Asia has finally announced that the major trade show organiser will be permanently based in Hong Kong for the foreseeable future, starting from 2027. The next edition is slated to run from 8 - 10th June 2027 at HKCEC.

“We have Wine Paris for Europe, which is the flagship event. But now we have a permanent home in Asia. Our exhibitors and partners in the industry won’t have to ask again. It is Hong Kong. Full stop,” said Comexposium's Rodolphe Lameyse. This ends the alternating Singapore – Hong Kong format established after the pandemic, concluding Singapore's run as co-host after just two rotations.

This comes three years after Lameyse had in 2023 lauded the decision to bring the show to Singapore as “a no-brainer”. In a statement to The Drinks Business, Lameyse maintains that rather than a retreat from Singapore, the relocation simply reflects a commitment to following market demand.

“The decision to host (Vinexpo in Singapore) in 2023 was the best decision at the time,” citing its desire to remain responsive to exhibitor feedback and demand. “Exhibitors are the main source of Vinexpo revenue, and they are not willing to spend their money elsewhere than Hong Kong at the moment.”

The decision came down to three key factors, according to Lameyse, starting with cost. Singapore consistently outpriced Hong Kong across lodging, dining, entertainment, on-site staffing, and booth construction. “Even the simple cost of designing a booth is higher in Marina Bay Sands than anywhere in Southeast Asia," Lameyse added.

Yet the decision is not purely financial. Visitor behaviour and geography have tilted strongly in favour of Hong Kong. At the 2024 and 2026 Vinexpo Hong Kong, Southeast Asian buyers travelled to Hong Kong for the show, while attendance from mainland China, Japan and other Asian markets was markedly lower when the event was held in Singapore. Geographically, Shanghai and Tokyo are much closer to Hong Kong; for some key buyers, says Lameyse, Singapore is simply “too far”. 

The historical dimension forms the third factor. Vinexpo’s relationship with Hong Kong runs deep, and the city has shown itself willing “to embrace the trade beyond the exhibition centre walls". There is also more governmental support in Hong Kong, Lameyse says.

"The core value of wine is shared by HKTB," he adds, revealing that Vinexpo is in advanced talks with the tourism board to forge a long-term partnership. The goal is to transform the trade fair into a vibrant, city-wide celebration that extends far beyond the walls of the convention centre.

Lameyse contrasts this against Singapore. He said that Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is more accustomed to major B2C events such as Formula One, which also made it difficult to activate the city and the community within Singapore for a B2B event like Vinexpo.

He noted that Vinexpo’s parent company, Comexposium, maintains a strong commitment to Singapore through its other substantial events, adding that Singapore’s infrastructure, ease of doing business, and international connectivity remain fully competitive with Hong Kong.

“It’s not a question of comparison. Singapore is just more expensive."

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team