Singapore, Feb 23, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - With less than two months left until the opening of the 12th edition of Wine&SpiritsAsia2012 (WSA2012), visitor and media pre-registrations are now open for industry professionals interested in the wines and spirits industry.

Bigger and more relevant than before

Over 25,000 visitors are set to walk through the doors of WSA2012 during the four-day show period. As per its previous edition, WSA2012 will be held alongside Asia's largest trade event for the food and hospitality industry - Food&HotelAsia2012 (FHA2012). WSA2012 will be a show in its own right; occupying 5,000 square metres at the Singapore Expo, with 165 exhibitors from 25 countries/regions in attendance. WSA2012 will also be featuring four group pavilions showcasing the best that Australia, Austria, France and host nation Singapore have to offer.

Aside from the congregation of major players on the exhibition floor, WSA2012 will present a series of masterclass specifically tailored for the wine and spirits, most notably with renowned international wine specialist Mr. Lim Hwee Peng on how to create an award-winning wine list.

WSA2012 will also be featuring a slew of activities for the wine and spirits enthusiasts. Reigning German Wine Queen, 23 year-old Ms. Annika Strebel, will be present with Mr. Steffen Schlinder, Managing Director of German Wine Institute to talk about the different taste of wines. Austria will also be presenting their very best, with top five leading wineries from Austria presenting their exquisite selection of Austrian wines to selected audience.

The elevation of WSA2012 to be a co-located show with FHA back in 2010 is a testament to the strength of Asia as a rising dragon in the consumption of premium wines and spirits. According to the country report by Euromonitor International, wine consumption in Singapore alone has risen 12 per cent in total volume growth in 2011, and is forecasted to post a total volume compound annual growth rate of five per cent to reach 12 million litres in 2016. The rise in consumption was fuelled by increasing consumer sophistication as well as wine's growing appeal as a status symbol.

"Singapore is not the only country in Asia experiencing a growth in wine consumption. The consumption of wine has increased in many parts of Asia, especially China and India, as consumers' tastes grow more sophisticated. The growing appeal of wine as a status symbol has also led to the increase in wine imports in these countries. With a remarkable contingent of top quality industry players coming from across the globe to present their wines and spirits in WSA2012, I'm sure WSA2012 will present itself as a perfect platform for traders and industry players to source for sellers and buyers alike," affirms Ms. Ting Siew Mui, Project Director (Lifestyle) of Singapore Exhibition Services (SES), organiser of WSA2012.

Adding to the buzzing exhibition floor will be RIPE-WSA Cocktail Challenge, held over three days from 17 April till 19 April. Four winners will be chosen amongst some of Singapore's best bartenders across five categories - cocktail, mocktail, flairing and speed in bottle cap-opening. Participants competing in the cocktail competition would also get a chance to be the winner of special category "Best Choya Cocktail" if they had used Choya as their entry cocktail.

WSA2012 will also see the return of WSA Wine Challenge, a well-established competition in Asia where labels from wine producing region across the globe will be judged by a distinguished panel from within Asia to pick out the best wines that will tickle the Asian palate. With Asia's growing appreciation and consumption of wine, this coming edition will be highly anticipated by the industry.

For more information on WSA2012 including detailed show calendars with regularly updated speaker/seminar schedules, exhibitor lists and much more, log on to 　http://www.winespiritsasia.com.

FACT SHEET

Wine&SpiritsAsia2012 (12th Edition)

Dates: 17-20 April 2012

Venue: Hall 5, Singapore Expo, 1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150

Opening Hours: 1000-1800 hours (17-19 April 2012, Tuesday to Thursday)
1000-1600 hours (20 April 2012, Friday)

Admission Policy: Open to business and trade visitors only

Free Entry for:
- Visitors with pre-registration confirmation emails
- Visitors with invitation tickets

For visitors, please register at: 　http://www.winespiritsasia.com/pre-registration/?newsignin

For media, please register at: 　http://www.winespiritsasia.com/press-registration

* Admission fee of SGD80 (multiple entry) will apply for visitors without invitation ticket or pre-registration confirmation emails.

Exhibition Area: 7,000 square metres (projected)

Exhibitors: 165 from 25 countries/regions (projected)

About Singapore Exhibition Services (SES)

Set up in 1976, Singapore Exhibition Services (SES) has established itself as one of the most innovative and respected exhibition and conference organisers in Asia. A pioneer in the Singapore exhibition industry, SES events have served as important platforms for companies aiming to forge new business contacts in Asia. With a portfolio of international tradeshows already serving the Communications, Engineering, Machinery and Lifestyle industries, SES continues to develop new events to meet market needs. SES events consistently attract a high level of overseas participation with foreign exhibitors accounting for almost 80% of the show floor. SES is a member of Allworld Exhibitions Alliance, a global network with over 50 offices worldwide. For more information, please visit 　www.sesallworld.com.

Contact:
Foodcult Pte Ltd
Daryl Lee
M: +65-96945498
E-mail: marcom@foodcult.com.sg

Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd
Gillian Loo/June Seah
T: +65-62336637/62336632
E-mail: gillian@sesallworld.com/js@sesallworld.com