HAWIN Luncheon with AWBC

Ok, so for those of you not in the know there is a little known group of HK wine merchants that get together every now and then to discuss all the wonderful things about importing good old Aussie wine. We even have a cute name Hong Kong Australian Wine Importers Network or HAWIN.

Now most times we get together it is to chat about what's going on or to listen to a visiting Politician tell us how we are doing a great job. We have a couple of sandwiches, drink some good grape juice and head on home. Today was a little different.

Someone wanted to listen to US! Hooray!

But I am being a little cynical. The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation are the regulatory board that for the most part do a pretty good job of looking after our industry and they popped in to Hong kong to get some advice on what they should do about helping us out.

Now all of us living here know that China is quite a unique market in many ways and any one who has tried to take a western approach to solving their marketing woes has usually gone back home with their tail between their legs.

Here's what everyone had to say:

Paul Henry, Head Honcho AWBC

• Instead of focussing on oversupply in Australia we need to look at maximising our potential markets overseas
• He showed us lots of stats and pie charts
• The AWBC is appointing a new Asia Head and they will be based in Hong Kong (great news)
• There will be several road shows coming up before the end of the year

Lucy Anderson is the AWBC marketing guru

• Landmark program for educating wine personalities from the region through master classes
• All be it accidently, she gave us the first sneak peak at the new campaigns that will be launched in June that will make every one in China fall in love with Australian Wine.

Then they asked us what we would like, and we said:

• Better education programs for those in the industry
• Education programs for those Professionals in the industry
• More education programs for the public 
• More focus on expanding the wine market in HK

So now we have gone off to feel better about ourselves because we had our say and the nice folk at the AWBC get some market feed back.

So there it is! A thrilling insight into the Australian wine industry in Hong Kong.

So that's what we had to say, what do you think? What would make you drink more Aussie wine. Please let us know as I would be only too happy to pass it on.

Dean