Looking ahead to Internorga 2019 - Foodservice Consultants Society International

What are your expectations for the Internorga show this year?

We are aware that our visitors expect a lot from Europe’s leading trade show for foodservice and hospitality. Above all, they expect plenty of inspiration, innovations and networking opportunities – they will not be disappointed. It will be well worthwhile again for visitors to travel all the way to Hamburg. We have worked hard over the past few months to ensure that Internorga 2019 is packed with innovations, unique new ideas and concepts. We have set up new formats, and have expanded selected spaces to give visitors an even better overview of the latest trends and developments in the foodservice and hospitality market.

What’s new at Internorga 2019?

We are expecting around 95,000 visitors this year and they can look forward to a wide range of new ideas and products at the Hamburg Messe site. This is the biggest European HoReCa show, showcasing a wide range of novelties from a total of 1,300 exhibitors, including young, innovative companies, and also established market leaders and top players in the industry. Any company that wants to stay ahead for the future must not only explore new trends, but also look at the wider picture in the industry. Internorga is the ideal place for that, with its broad range of subjects. One of the first-time events this year is the Masterclass International Growth & Franchising. It gives international experts the floor, with tips on what to look out for when expanding, and explaining the mechanics of franchising.

What can visitors look forward to this year?

Internorga presents the products and solutions needed for long-term success in the dynamic out-of-home market. Foodservice operators of all sizes have to be open to new ideas and take opportunities if they want to flourish in the future. The new developments include digitisation – a professional digital cash register system is at the heart of operations for many businesses. And customers will be interested in advance ordering and payment for services, food and beverages. To help kitchen professionals with an overview of the wide range of digital solutions, we give a platform to a whole range of providers at Internorga 2019. That helps our trade visitors to get the whole picture, giving them useful guidance on the state of the market.

And smart solutions are not only moving into the customer area, but also increasingly used in the kitchen area. Some 300 well-known manufacturers and market leaders will present tomorrow’s equipment. With intelligent warewashing machines, digital organisation systems and high-quality combi-steamers. Dealers and planners appreciate this diversity, and make use of the show for new business.

Let me also underline our fantastic supporting programme with top-level conferences and high-profile speakers, and exciting live international competitions such as the German Gastro Startup Award, to be held in cooperation with cash register system manufacturer orderbird and the prestigious gastro-network, Leaders Club.

How can consultants and manufacturers make the most of the experience at the show?

The special thing about Internorga is that everyone who is anyone in the industry is here. The key creative minds and decision makers from system gastronomy, and canteen dealers and planners account for a large proportion of the trade visitors. So this show is the ideal opportunity for networking. Optimal locations for that include Café FUTURE live, the Hospitality Lounge and Think-In with inspiring expert talks. And the conferences such as the International Foodservice Forum with more than 2,000 attendees and the very latest topics are perfect opportunities for useful networking in a pleasant atmosphere. There is so much to explore in the exhibition halls, from high-level Table Top to smart technology, to trendy furniture and fittings for restaurants. Visitors can use the INTERNORGA App for a better overview of what is happening on the nearly 100,000 square metres of the show.

What are you personally looking forward to for this year’s show?

Internorga time is always an exciting time. I am really looking forward to this year’s event, to the competitions such as the Next Chef Award, where young talents demonstrate their skills in thrilling live challenges, and also the many new products that we can expect. One of my highlights, and a personal recommendation from me, is the Newcomers Area. This unique special showcases 20 market entrants who are presenting their product developments to a wider audience for the first time. Definitely worth visiting, because there’s always something new to discover.