Food&HotelAsia (FHA) will also play host to 25% more exhibitors when it opens its doors later this year. Showcasing everything from halal food and speciality equipment to furnishing and the latest technologies to disrupt the wider sector, exhibitors will take over the biennial trade show, expanded to two venues for the first time.
Since its inception as FoodAsia and HotelAsia in a car park in 1978, the mega trade show has developed and evolved at a pace. In 2018, it will be split across two venues, Singapore Expo and Suntec Singapore, where 40,000 exhibitors will congregate from over 70 countries and regions around he world. Additionally, 68 international groups have cofirmed attendance, Armenia and Qatar among the new countries to feature alongside members from 22 trade associations and government agencies who will attend for the first time too.
Increased attendance
At the 2018 edition, 78,000 trade attendees are expected, including exhibiting staff, trade visitors, conference speakers and delegates, judges and competitiors and members of the media. This represents an increase of almost 9,000 attendees on the 2016 show.
Rodolphe Lameyse, project director, food & hospitality, UBM SES, said FHA’s growth reflects the changing landscapes of the F&B and hospitality industries in Singapore and the region over the decades. “Having FHA2018 span two of the largest exhibition venues in Singapore proves just how much the event has grown since 1978,” he says.
“In today’s disrupted economy, innovation and internationalisation will serve as the main drivers reshaping Asia’s food and hospitality industries. Against this backdrop we will continue to strengthen our partnerships with all our stakeholders, together explore new ways to create value to support the industries and strive towards many more years of performance excellence.”
Speciality zones
FHA is billed as more than a trade show and for good reason too; with a vast number of opportunities to network and learn from industry colleagues, speciality zones and the competitions that take place across the show, allowing visitors to to learn about the changes that are making an impact on the hospitality and F&B industries.
Speakers including chef Dave Pynt; Clara Ming Pi FCSI, board director with Foodservice Consultants Society International; and Willem van Emden, regional director, food and beverage for Marriott International, will appear at the FHA2018 International Conference, which runs 24-27 April and will feature talks on everything from central kitchen to revenue management.
Further details:
FHA 2018 will take place 21-27 April. Bakery & Pastry, FoodAsia, HospitalityStyleAsia, HospitalityTechnology and SpecialityCoffee&Tea will be located at Singapore Expo while HotelAsia2018 will take place at Suntec Singapore.
www.foodhotelasia.com
Tina Nielsen
