Alimentaria 2018 will extend its international influence
With more than 100,000m2 of net exhibition space, almost the entire area within Gran Vía de Fira de Barcelona, the celebration will take place between 16th and 19th April 2018 alongside Hostelco, an International Platform for the Food, Gastronomy and Hospitality Equipment Industry. Together, the exhibition will be one of the world's biggest global events for the industries of food, gastronomy and hospitality equipment right from a distribution level through to the HORECA channel which offers a rounded solution for all.
Josep Lluis Bonet, president of Alimentaria and Fira de Barcelona, has explained the benefits of working together, saying, "it adds value to both exhibitions, making them one of the biggest international platforms for the industries of food, gastronomy and hospitality equipment".
During the presentation, J. Antonio Valls, managing director of Alimentaria Exhibitions and the platform, has considered the potential of the show, with "the strengths that the event has, such as the international positioning, the importance and complicity of the Spanish agricultural industry with the backing of powerful brands, the weight of the HORECA channel, the international appeal of our gastronomy and the relevance of the tourism sector, among others".
According to Valls, "these characteristics give the exhibition a unique character based on division by sector, the extension of internationalisation, innovation (with The Alimentaria Hub at the heart of it), and gastronomy (with The Alimentaria Experience). A model that offers a platform for internationalisation and business, with new spaces, content and innovation".
Encouraging internationalisation
The managing director of the Food Industry within the Spanish Ministry for Agriculture, Food, Fishing and Environment, Fernando Burgaz, commented on the strength of the sector and its potential to continue growing in an international environment: "the journey that we have ahead is magnificent, with continual growth for the next few years". He also pointed out that "in the last few years, our exports to countries outside of the European Union are increasing. This is one of the biggest challenges for the food industry".
Along the same lines, María Naranjo, director of Food and Gastronomy of ICEX, Spanish Exportation and Investment, has highlighted that "more than 52% of Spanish food producers are exporters" and added "sales to China and the United States of America are increasing at a more impressive rate than within the European Union. The agreements signed with Canada and Japan will open up interesting new opportunities for the sector".
As a result, Alimentaria 2018 focuses upon facilitating contact between international buyers and exhibiting businesses, coming from more than 70 countries, including Germany, Argentina, Ecuador, Belgium, Holland, China, Hong Kong, Romania, Russia, Thailand and Turkey. Therefore, it will extend the invitation to key buyers with 30% of the expected visitors coming from overseas.
More sectors, innovation and gastronomy
The impetus for innovation and gastronomical quality will be the key identifying factors for Alimentaria. That's why The Alimentaria Hub and The Alimentaria Experience will offer an added dimension, in addition to business opportunities, to encourage innovation in the sector, detecting the key trends and boosting connections between the food, gastronomy and tourism industries.
Esteemed figures, such as Marius Robles, co-found and CEO of Reimagine Food and seven Michelin star chef Carme Ruscalleda, debated the latest topics in the world of food and gastronomy innovation. On the theme, Robles said "the future of food lies in ultra-specialisation thanks to new technology". Ruscalleda also pointed to the fact that "a restaurant is a product and knowledge, and at the same time it has to be sustainable: measuring results is basic from the first day".
Alimentaria 2018 will split its exhibition into several specialised areas, Intervin, Intercarn, Restaurama, Expoconser, Interlact, and Multiple Foods, the platform for products of widespread consumption and trends in food. There will also be Alimentaria Premium, an exclusive zone for producers of real gastronomical gems.
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