London International Wine Fair (LIWF) and Distil visitor numbers – updated figures

Following the initial release on 27th May of visitor numbers to the 2008 LIWF and Distil, show organiser Brintex has now received a detailed breakdown of visitors over the three days.

It has become apparent that a number of LIWF exhibitors were inadvertently included in the final visitor count. The miscalculation occurred when just over 1,000 LIWF exhibitors crossed over to enter Distil and were counted as individual Distil visitors. Brintex, however, does not believe that they should be included within this total as their primary reason for being at ExCeL was exhibiting at the Wine Fair. Brintex has removed their number from the final count, thus making the net visitor total a fair comparison to those in previous years.

The number of net attendees at both events over the three days now stands at 14,903, rather than 15,969 as originally reported. This corrected figure still represents a record attendance at the LIWF and a 9% increase on 2007.

James Murray, event director, explained, “In the run-up to and during the LIWF and Distil we have constantly reinforced the message that the quality of audience is more important than the quantity. We also believe that the cornerstone to the success of our events is absolute honesty within the wine and spirits community. Whilst it is unfortunate that we initially communicated an incorrect increase in visitor numbers, we felt it only right to address this as soon as the accurate information became available. That said, we are still delighted with the 9% increase in attendance, and can look back on the best-attended Fair in its 28-year history. Our exhibitors will judge us on the business contacts made on their individual stands, and re-bookings for 2009 are exceptional.”

Further analysis of the figures shows that visitors from outside the UK represented 26% of the total number, with 3,865 attending, an increase of 11% on 2007. Distil saw 5,173 visitors attend in its debut year.Next year’s LIWF and Distil will take place between 12th and 14th May 2009, a week earlier than usual.

Notes to editors:
LIWF and Distil gross visitors: 20,312
LIWF and Distil visitor breakdown:
Day 1 = 7,071 visitors (up 7% from 2007)
Day 2 = 4,832 new visitors (up 11% from 2007) plus 3,070 revisits from day 1
Day 3 = 3,000 new visitors (up 11% from 2007) plus 2,339 revisits from days 1 and 2

A fully audited report will be available from Brintex in June 2008