On January 20th, Messe Dusseldorf, organisers of ProWein announced the new dates for their event: 15-17 May, 2022. These clash directly with the London Wine Trade Fair on 16-18 and will not be convenient for exhibitors and attendees of VieVinum, the Austrian fair which will be held in Vienna between 21 to 23 May,
Citing the 'very dynamic infection pattern and rapid spread of the Omicron variant', despote introducing sdtringent health protocols, the organisers had been obliged to postpone five major events, including TOP HAIR and BEAUTY and Tube - and ProWein, the exhibition with the largest number of individual exhibitors.
The impact of the change in dates on ProWein exhibitors and visitors remains to be seen. Many had already booked and cancelled flights and accommodation for the March dates when the event was originally scheduled to be held. Smaller European producers also complain that May is not an ideal time for them, given the work that is required in vineyards at that time.
The London fair is a much less international event than in its heyday in the 1990s, but still attracts producers who have already scheduled their participation.
ProWein also has to compete this year with Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris which will be held in the French capital from February 14th.
