Prowein finds its bearings again after Covid

rowein has now turned the page on Covid. “We have reverted to the exhibitor numbers and floor space of the 2019 exhibition. We are no longer suffering from the effects of the pandemic”, said Michael Degen, executive director of Prowein’s organiser Messe Düsseldorf, at a press conference in Paris on 18 January.

From 19 to 23 March, the German trade fair will host more than 6,000 exhibitors from some sixty countries. Once again, it will occupy every hall at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre, which has not been the case since 2019. As usual, Italy will be the most highly represented country with 1,400 exhibitors, followed by France with 1,100 producers and trading companies. Next come the New World, Germany and Spain.

The organisers are expecting 50,000 visitors to attend, compared with 60,000 in 2019 and 32,000 last year. “Prowein’s primary feature is that it is international”, stressed Degen. “At Prowein a Canadian buyer meets Australian winegrowers and this is where they do business”. In terms of events during the exhibition, the organisers confirm that a new ‘World of Zero’ area will be introduced in Hall 1 and dedicated to producers of non-alcoholic wines and spirits. There will be a tasting area for visitors to familiarise themselves with the category. “Non-alcoholic drinks are a growing trend in Germany,” explained Degen. The Champagne lounge and organic area will return to the show. Business France has announced that it has marketed half of the French exhibitor stands covering one third of the floor space occupied by France.

Michael Degen, executive director of Messe Düsseldorf which organises Prowein