The fair saw 14,401 attendees this year, 2% less than in 2015. This number is still higher than 2014, the year the fair returned to London Olympia. Visitor breakdown by sector remained the same in 2015, with just under a third (30%) of visitors attending from the on-trade, and 10% of visitors from the independent sector.
Ross Carter, show director, said: “The feedback we have had for this year’s show has been overwhelmingly positive, from exhibitors and visitors alike. Exhibitors have reported a really high quality audience, with key decision makers from across the categories attending.
“Three years in to its return to Olympia, the trade has embraced The Fair in its current guise, citing its manageability and relevance to the market as key factors to its success. This year’s show was all about diversity and discovery, which we delivered across the board in terms of content, exhibitors and audience.”
Miles Beale, chief executive, WSTA, said of this year’s fair: “It was lively, with a focus on quality and the UK market place. While the hot topic of news was Conviviality’s acquisition of Bibendum PLB, there was plenty of wider discussion about what the future looks like for both the on and off-trade. Most attending WSTA members reported high quality commercial discussions - with day two as a particular highlight.”
Julia Trustram-Eve, director, English Wine Producers, added an exhibitor’s perspective: “We have been busy from start to finish. It’s been fantastic for our producers and they’ve attracted a lot of interest. It has been so buzzy. It’s great at Olympia – it really is the heartland of UK wine. People have really embraced England being here and we’ve got leading brands and new wineries to meet the wine trade.”
The 2017 London Wine Fair will be held from 22 – 24 May at Olympia.
