The Chinese Market
During the recent years, the wine and spirits market has been growing very fast in China. According to statistics, in 2004, the whole amount of wine production reached 367.3 thousand kiloliters. This wine production is growing at a rate of 15% per year.

In 2003, the wine production in the world reached about 27 million tons, while it was just 300 thousand tons in China. In the world, the average wine consumption was 7.5 liters per capita. But in china, it was only 0.5 liter, which is far below the average level in the world. Undoubtedly, China wine market is growing at an amazing speed, and has the highest growth potential one in the world. With its entry into WTO, China now completely fulfils its promises to decrease its customs tariff sharply (from 65% to 14%). Foreign wines have now a fantastic opportunity to enter and exploit the Chinese market. China imports now wines mostly from Chile, Argentina, Spain and France.

Besides, with the next world events coming to China (the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 and the Universal Expo in Shanghai in 2010) many foreigners will visit China in the near future and reinforce these trends.

In this context, it seems now necessary to create a professional trade show to provide the professionals with a true market tool where they can meet, exchange and buy. This is the Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show.

An ideal venue
Xiamen is located on the southeastern coast of China, West of the Taiwan Strait.

Dubbed "China's coziest city", Xiamen has a pleasant climate, picturesque views and clean and tidy environment. In 2002, Xiamen received the Gold Medal at the "International Nations in Bloom" competition in Stuttgart, Germany. Domestic awards have included "National Sanitary City", "National Garden City", "National Model City for Environmental Protection", "National Excellence in Tourism"and "National Top 10 Most Livable Cities".

Xiamen was one of the first four special economic zones (SEZ) in China and is now one of the few municipalities enjoying independent status in state economic planning, Xiamen enjoys provincial level autonomy and local legislative power in economic administration. Xiamen is one of the most competitive cities in China. It ranks the fifth on the "List of the Most Competitive Cities in China" published by the Economic Daily at the beginning of 2002. Xiamen has become one of the most important ports in China for international trade and cross-Straits trade. Its growth had enjoyed a pace of about 18% in the past few years.

Xiamen port is one of the top 10 ports of China and offers 80 berths of various sizes. There are navigation routes from Xiamen to over 60 ports in more than 40 countries and regions. With 62 international and domestic air routes opened, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is a main hub in East China.

The well-developed system of railway and highway transportation links conveniently the city with the rest of China. Sevaral nationwide promotion events are annually held in Xiamen, among them the "China International Fair for Investment and Trade", the "China Xiamen Machinery and Electronics Exhibition" and the “China Xiamen International Food Procurement Fair”.

In the recent years, Xiamen has also been a hot destination for foreign investment, and hosts many global foreign companies, including Kodak, ABB, Metro,… Many foreigners live in Xiamen, making the domestic market one of the most active in China, especially for wines and spirits, of which more than 40% of the foreign wines imported come through the port of Xiamen.

For its irresistible beauty, Xiamen is described as the “Garden on the Sea” whose attractiveness is comparable to Hawaii. It is also called Egret Island because of the many white egrets that live here. Xiamen has numerous parks, hills, waters, temples and gardens that comprise this beautiful picture. Its unique folk customs, worldwide celebrities and the many historical sites attract visitors.

In addition its excellent transportation, accommodation and entertainment facilities make Xiamen an ideal town to organize a wines and spirits show.

The Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center (XICEC) has been approved by UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry). It is a large state-of-art intelligent exhibition center incorporating exhibition, conference, fair, IT, trade and large events. Its complete supporting services range from business services, advertisement, warehouse, hotel, catering to entertainment.

XICEC occupies an area of 470,000 square meters and a total construction area of 150,000 square meters, composed of the main building and wing buildings. Being 432m in length and 42.6m in height, the main building contains 5 floors. The height of the exhibition hall varies from 7.6m to 10m and 15m. Its total surface of 33,000 square meters can accommodate 2000 standard booth. At two sides of the exhibition hall, there are two pillar-free exhibition units with an area of 6,560 square meters, a height of 15m and a 81 by 81 meters span grid system. The crescent-shaped ballroom on top of the main building is the most creative feature of the whole building. The International Conference Hall is equipped with simultaneous interpreting system of 6 languages. The wing building is a star-class hotel boasting 250 guest rooms.

A commercial event
In order to better sell wines and spirits, one must taste them and the Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show offers a great opportunity to host clients and prospects in ideal buying conditions. Together with this great tasting experience, these professionals can discuss with the actual makers, owners and cellar masters, sharing their passion and doing business at the same time, deciding which bottles to select and buy, defining how to prescribe and to present them to their customers. All of them want to be able to offer the best to their customers and this show is the ideal place to find the items which will make the difference in the high end gastronomy business.

It is a true professional market place, a dedicated trade show, where buyers and producers can meet, exchange, compare, buy and discuss their commercial strategies.

The China Xiamen International Food Procurement Fair
The 1st edition of the Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show will be held in conjunction with the China Xiamen International Food Procurement Fair. This professional Food procurement show will be held for the 4th time and is now a major event in the Chinese food Industry. In 2005, it has attracted 600 exhibitors, more than 120,000 visitors and 6,500 professionals. Its notoriety and attractiveness will benefit to the Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show and help bring him many professional buyers.

An audience of professionals and passionate amateurs
The visitors invited to the show are selected clients and prospects for the exhibitors :
- Importers,

- National and provincial Distributors,

- gastronomy professionals :
o sommeliers
o bartenders
o restaurant managers
o chefs, restaurant and delicatessen owners
o wine bars and bistrots owners
o liquor stores owners
o traders, wholesalers, importers, and agents

The Xiamen Municipal Trade Development Bureau is managing the project and will contact related government departments, associations to organize professional buyers and visitors to attend the show.

The main professional organizations in China are supporting us to make this Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show a great success.

An ideal date
The show will be held from June 24th to June 26th.

This period is traditionally good there to organize a trade show, as the region enjoys a pleasant climate and the visitors like to come and attend.

Besides, the period ideal to develop fruitful contacts, generate orders and deliver products for the end of the year festivities and the Chinese New Year, traditionally peak season for wine and spirits consumption in China.

High levels amenities

The exhibitors enjoy high quality amenities :
- a fully equipped 18 sq m booth to welcome their guests

- 1 full page in the Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show press kit

- customizable invitation cards for their guests

- company presentation in the Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show tasting guide given away to the visitors

- 1 hostess interpreter

An event for the press
The main journalists associations from the gastronomy and professional press in China and abroad support this show and their members will come and participate to the Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show.

A strong promotion
The Xiamen International Wines and Spirits Trade Show will be advertised in all kind of media, newspaper, TV, network, professional magazines, etc. and several press conferences will publicize the show.

Contacts :
France and Europe
Eric Gaudet – Tél : 01 53 90 13 77 – Email : eric@in-spirit.net
Emmanuel Grillet – Tél : 05 57 68 21 24 – Email : egrillet33@wanadoo.fr

for the USA
Mike Walsh – Tél 1 (707) 568 59 60 – Email: awalsh@fbworld.com