After just two editions in Singapore, Rodolphe Lameyse of Comexposium has pulled the plug on Singapore, committing to Hong Kong from 2027. db hears the case from other sides.
Vinexpo Asia has confirmed Hong Kong as its permanent Asian home from 2027, ending the Singapore–Hong Kong alternating format introduced after the pandemic and bringing the city’s run as co-host to a close after just two rotations.
The next edition will be run from 8 to 10 June 2027 at HKCEC. From then on, the expo will be held annually in Hong Kong, rather than the biannual schedule in the pre-pandemic years, establishing a single, consistent meeting point for the wine industry in Asia.
“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 Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Comexposium’s Food and Beverage Division.
It is a striking reversal from Lameyse, who in 2023 called their decision to bring the show to Singapore “a no-brainer”. But he insists the move is less about turning away from Singapore and more about following the clear will of the market.
Cutting costs
“The decision to host (Vinexpo in Singapore) in 2023 was the best decision at the time,” he said and stressed that the exhibitors were the decisive factor. “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, he explained, came down to three components. First was cost. Singapore has proven more expensive than Hong Kong across accommodation, dining and entertainment, as well as on-site staffing and stand builders. “Even the simple cost of designing a booth is higher in Marina Bay Sands than anywhere in Southeast Asia. It’s a big amount – not petty cash,” said Lameyse.
It’s a sentiment exhibitors have voiced since the 2023 edition. “The expenditure outside of the fair is more cost-effective in Hong Kong than in Singapore. Singapore is an expensive place to stay, it’s an expensive place to eat out, just moving around is expensive, so on balance, Hong Kong is more cost-effective, but in no way is Hong Kong cheap – it’s the modern reality,” said Paul Turale, General Manager, Market Development of Wine Australia at Vinexpo Hong Kong 2026.
Visitor behaviour and geography
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,” said Lameyse.
Events like ‘Happy Wednesday’ at the Happy Valley Racecourse, where 300 people from the show gathered for a wine-themed event, have become emblematic of how the city can be activated around wine. It is this intertwined collaboration that also tipped the scales in Hong Kong’s favour.
‘Not a question of comparison’
“The core value of wine is shared by HKTB,” Lameyse said, revealing that Vinexpo is in advanced talks with HKTB to forge a longer-term partnership that would turn the fair into a city-wide celebration, extending well beyond the convention centre walls.
By contrast, Lameyse suggested, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is more accustomed to major B2C events such as Formula One. While the STB was “a strong supporter” of Vinexpo, the team found it difficult to activate the city and the community within Singapore in a way that resonated with a B2B wine trade show.
He was quick to note that Comexposium, Vinexpo’s parent company, continues to run substantial events in Singapore and remains committed to the city. Singapore’s excellent infrastructure, ease of business, and connectivity are on par with Hong Kong. “It’s not a question of comparison. Singapore is just more expensive,” he insisted.
Singapore’s loss
The Singapore wine industry is clearly disappointed. “It’s a shame,” said Gerald Lu, President of Singapore Sommelier Association, “It’s another opportunity lost for the Singapore wine industry.”
“We’ve clearly inspired confidence and attractiveness – Vinexpo believed in Singapore’s infrastructure and our ability to execute,” he said. “But if even the biggest global wine expo can’t sustain itself here, then we have to seriously ask what more we can do, and rethink how we support important activities for our F&B and wine industry.”
Lu also pointed to the knock-on cost for hospitality. “Unfortunately, we lose the opportunity of face-to-face interactions, which is important in our culture,” he said. “All the fringe activities: the wine dinners, post-fair drinks, portfolio tastings and masterclasses organised around the fair dates are worth two weeks’ loss of ancillary sales and revenue.”
Mixed opinions
Not everyone sees the move as quite so consequential. Singapore-based Master of Wine Richard Hemming takes a more measured view. “It’s a lost opportunity for the profile of Singapore, but I doubt it will make a material difference to the prospects of our wine business,” he said. “Producers will still visit here, and Singapore importers will still visit their suppliers. The trade itself is unlikely to suffer.”
For Hemming, the more interesting question has less to do with geography and more to do with execution. “The stability and logistical advantages of Singapore haven’t changed, so the strategic importance of Singapore is the same,” he said. “But this isn’t just about what Singapore can offer: it’s also about what Vinexpo can achieve. If they couldn’t make it work here, that is perhaps as much to do with their model as it is to do with locations.”
STB’s response struck a measured, forward-looking note. “We understand that event organisers must constantly reevaluate their priorities and strategies for growth,” said Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director, Exhibitions and Conferences. He added that STB will continue to support Comexposium’s other events in Singapore, pointing to the Milipol TechX Summit and NRF Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, both of which drew record numbers this year, as evidence that the partnership remains strong.
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