Networking

• California Wines has teamed up with Bottlebooks to streamline your networking experience at Buyers Marketplace Asia Edition 2025.
• Buyers will have the opportunity to directly schedule meetings with exhibitors directly and connect through our networking function prior to our program.

Seminars

• Please note that the 9am sessions are mandatory for all buyers and no registration is required.
• However, the 11am and 1:30pm seminars during the two days are optional and has a limited capacity for 40 pax only.
• Registration is needed for optional seminars at 11am and 1:30pm, and each buyer is allowed to register for a maximum of two sessions due to limited capacity and to offer everyone an opportunity to attend a seminar.

What is Covered During Your Stay

• Hotel stays and group ground transportation
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

What is Not Covered During Your Stay

• Taxi, Uber, or ground transportation from Incheon or Gimpo airports to the hotel and back to the airports at the end of your stay.
• Personal incidental expenses – spa services, mini-bar, room service, etc.
• Additional hotel room nights and transportation outside of the pre-arranged conference dates.
• Travel Insurance – we recommend you take out travel insurance as the Wine Institute is not able to do this on your behalf.
• Visa or K-ETA application fees, should you require a visa to enter South Korea.

What to Bring

• Passport / ID for hotel check-ins
• Credit card for incidentals / personal use when you check in
• Electronic chargers, adapters, back-up battery packs
• Curiosity, Positive Attitude & Questions!

What to Wear

• Sunday Optional Welcome Reception: Casual attire
• Monday & Tuesday Dinners: Smart Casual
• Conference / Grand Tastings: Business Casual / Smart Casual
• Dress in layers: Evenings can be cool if you are planning to go outdoors, bring a jacket or sweater.
• Tip: Avoid wearing heels

Getting Around

• Uber works well in Seoul and is convenient to use
• Taxis take credit cards
• Google maps does not work well, download Naver Map or Kakao Map
• Keep your destination in Korean handy!

Accommodation

• Your stay is covered by the Wine Institute for the dates Sept 21-24, 2025 for the duration of the program.
• Any additional hotel room nights and transportation outside of the pre-arranged conference dates is not covered.
• You’ll be asked to present a credit card at check-in to cover for any personal incidental expenses and additional charges.

Breakfast

• Breakfast is included for the mornings of Sept 22, 23 and 24.
• Available at the Executive Lounge (9/F) between 6:30am – 10:00am.
• Only available for one guest per guest room as covered by the Wine Institute as part of your stay.

Lunch

• Lunch hours is from 12pm to 2:30pm on Sept 22 & 23 in Salons 4 & 5 and Foyer area in the 5/F.
• Lunch will be self-served buffet style and you are free to take lunch at anytime between lunch hours.
• You’ll need your badge to access the lunch area.

Dinners & Shuttles

• Please read the dinner information published further down on this page.
• Dinner on Sept 22 at The Pullman Ambassador will have pre-assigned seating.
• Dinner on Sept 23 at Samwon Garden will be free seating.
• There will be shuttle buses to take you from the JW Marriott to the dinner venue each evening, as well as taking you back to JW Marriott from the dinner venue.
• Please note that all buyers must take our shuttles back to the hotel each evening after dinner for security reasons.
• Please kindly respect our program guidelines and thank you for your understanding.

Entry into South Korea

• Please kindly check if you require a visa (China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar passport holders) or K-ETA (Thailand, Philippines passport holders) to enter South Korea.
• For those who do not require any visas or K-ETA to enter South Korea, please submit an e-Arrival card on www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr within 3 days before arrival in Korea (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia passport holders)
•  Please note that your passport must be valid for the duration of your planned stay in South Korea. 

Reminders

• Wear your badges at all times for the duration of the program for access and attendance
• Traveling in a group is even more pleasant if we do not have to wait for anyone. So may we ask everyone to be on time.
• Contact your in-market CWI representative if you have any questions.

Please plan to meet in the front lobby / entrance of the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul for a prompt departure at 17:30 for The Ambassador Seoul.

This is a buyer and winery dinner.

Shuttles Begin Loading: 17:15
Shuttles Depart: 17:30
Recommended Attire: Smart Casual (dinner will be indoors)

Dinner format:
– Banquet style seated dinner with pre-assigned seating
– 5 course menu
– 6 California wines

Shuttles will be returning guests back to the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul after the dinner at 21:00 for their overnight stay.

Shuttles Begin Loading: 17:15
Shuttles Depart: 17:30
Reception Begins: 18:00 (Outdoors)
Dinner Begins: 19:00 (Indoors)
Recommended Attire: Smart Causal
Dinner Format: Free seating

Shuttles will return guests to the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul for their overnight stay at the end of their dinner.