Gulfood 2014
23-27 February 2014, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dubai, UAE
Mark Napier, show director for Gulfood previews the 2014 event
As part of our strategy to continually enhance the world’s biggest annual food and hospitality industry trade show, Gulfood will feature a host of innovative new features, specialist conferences, high-ranking ministerial summits and pioneering B2B programmes as part of an evolved, segmented format for its 2014 edition.
As well as debuting a new, five-day show this year, Gulfood will no longer feature its processing, manufacturing and packaging equipment elements. The region’s globally-recognised manufacturing sector will now take centre-stage at the inaugural Gulfood Manufacturing – running at DWTC from 9-11 November, 2014. As a result, Gulfood will boast an additional 27,000m² of floor-space for 4,500-plus local, regional and international exhibitors to conduct specialist foodservice, retail and hospitality trading, and explore international networking opportunities with more than 80,000 global visitors.
Additionally, the increase in floor-space has enabled room for 10 new country pavilions in our line-up including Bahrain, the Basque region, Colombia, Czech Republic, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Romania, Serbia and Vietnam. A total of 121 national pavilions are confirmed at the sold-out show.
Gulfood’s status as a centre of knowledge exchange for many food-related sectors will be enhanced by hosting the World Food Leaders Summit – the region’s first international conference focused on world food security. Attended by ministers, government officials, policy makers, thought leaders and regional and international corporate visionaries, the summit will address the universal challenge of securing a stable, cost-effective and safe supply of food for the world’s growing population.
Gulfood 2014 will also host the International Halal Conference – a topic of increasing importance for the global food and beverage industry and one driving considerable growth opportunities – and the fifth Gulfood Awards, the definitive platform for recognising excellence and innovation in the food and drink industry.
More information: gulfood.com
Hotelex 2014
31 March – 3 April, Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai
Hotelex 2014 is predicted to see significant growth with approximately 142,000 sq m compared with 130,000 sq m in 2013, covering 12 halls in Shanghai’s SNIEC venue. As one of the most important HORECA platforms in Asia and around the world, Hotelex is dedicated to bringing together worldwide professional buyers and influential industry opinion leaders with ten-themed sectors including catering equipment and supply, bakery and ice cream, tableware, textile, appliance and amenities, IT and security, fitness and leisure, coffee and tea, food and beverage, wine and spirits.
Hotelex will enhance both the exhibitor and visitor experience through a series of world-level events and conference programmes events such as the China Barista Championship and China Master Bartender Championship. Hotelex 2014 will also feature new events such as China Gelato Championship and China Master Bakery Championship to create opportunities for new sectors to grow and expand.
The Foodservice in the 21st Century forum has shifted its focus and aims to shed light onto the current crisis of the foodservice industry and provides possible solutions and case studies through authoritative organisations and media, such as Foodservice Equipment Report, FCSI and NPD Group China.
Hotelex 2014 has formed strategic partnership with big buyers groups such as Starwood Group to form an online purchasing library with 24/7 access to over 1,500 exhibitors’ most updated product profiles and a 3D virtual tour for those who cannot afford to miss an annual industry get-together.
More information: hotelex.cn
FHA 2014
8-11 April 2014, Singapore Expo, Singapore
Much anticipated both locally and internationally, the 19th edition of FHA will showcase an expansion of its exhibition area to 95,000sqm to serve an expected 45,000 trade visitors from over 90 countries/regions, presenting a formidable purchasing power to boost their businesses for the robust Asian market.
Toni Clarke FCSI, chair of FCSI’s Asia Pacific Division says: “FHA has tremendous significance to the Asia Pacific Division as not only does it attract potential and existing APD members, but there is also increasing attendance from consultants and the corporate industry from countries in EAME.”
Winnie Koh of Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd, who organise the FHA Show in Singapore, reckons that with a crowded marketplace and the proliferation of technology and social media, hotels, restaurants and food manufacturers are struggling to find the winning formula to get to the consumer and increase their revenue. “Today’s consumers are not only spoilt for choice; they have become increasingly savvy in the way they consume information and make their purchasing decision,” says Koh. “At the FHA 2014 International Conference, we recognise these challenges and have gathered over 80 senior level industry executives who have have been successfully in overcome these challenges and continue on a growth trajectory through innovation, strategies and adaptability.”
During the four days Singapore Expo will offer attendees the chance to learn:
• How to effectively manage your hotel operations to maximise your revenue
• How to manage your kitchens operations
• The latest revenue distribution models to apply to your business
• How to leverage on technologies to boost your hotel revenue or your F&B operational effectiveness
• Leverage social media/mobile strategies and big data to enhance guest experiences and gain new businesses
• Latest food regulations and how it can impact your businesses
• Successful restaurant concepts and food trends that will prevail in 2014
• How to tackle your manpower challenges
More information: foodnhotelasia.com
Michael Jones
