VinexpoAsia to find new ‘permanent’ home
Vinexposium’s CEO has hinted that the trade fair’s rotating Hong Kong and Singapore model is coming to an end with a new permanent venue to be announced for 2027 and beyond in response to “a demand for stability”. db gets the exclusive.
As costs rise and exhibitors demand stability, Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, has signalled a rethink of the event’s rotating Hong Kong and Singapore model.
Speaking on the sidelines of Vinexpo Asia Hong Kong 2026, which opened to a strong start at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre earlier this week, Lameyse revealed to the drinks business, that the current strategy of rotating between hubs is under review.
Market demand
“There is a demand from the market for stability and resolving this alternative Singapore/Hong Kong (model),” Lameyse said. “We have to make a decision on where we want to stage our home in Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong or Shanghai.”
The Vinexpo exhibition originally moved to Singapore in 2023, following a prolonged Covid-induced closure of the Hong Kong borders. At the time, Lameyse opted for a dual-city alternative model, hosting the show in Singapore in odd years and Hong Kong in even years.
While Lameyse has long maintained that this setup serves a dual purpose – positioning Hong Kong as a gateway to China, and Singapore as the gateway to Southeast Asia – he acknowledged that the lines are not so clearly defined. When asked if that geographical distinction still holds, Lameyse responded: “Not anymore.”
“I thought it would be easy to manage for our clients, but whatever I believe, the ultimate decision-maker is the market,” he continued.
Consolidated global presence
Three years after the pandemic disruptions, travel restrictions have long stabilised, and exhibitors are now asking for a more consolidated global presence. Wine Paris is the flagship shop, alongside a definite “Wine Paris in Asia.”
The announcement coincides with the 10th anniversary of Vinexpo Asia in Hong Kong. Lameyse referred to it as a “symbolic milestone” in his opening ceremony speech on the 26th of May.
“Hong Kong is where the story began in 1998. This is where the show was built, defining its identity in Asia,” he said.
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However, the final destination for Vinexpo Asia’s permanent home remains undecided, with both cities offering distinct advantages.
Lameyse has previously raised concerns about the high cost of doing business in Singapore, but he also praised the city-state’s exceptional connectivity, vibrant food and beverage scene, and strong pro-business incentives. The future of the event will ultimately come down to which city can offer the most competitive environment for the wine industry.
“Not blackmail”
“We need to open discussions with the Singapore Tourism Board to see how much they want to retain Vinexpo,” Lameyse noted. “It’s not blackmail. As a business leader, I need to find the best deal for my clients.”
He added a final open invitation to the region’s top trade hubs.
“We have to make a decision on where we want to stage our home in Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. The match is open, make your bid.”
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