| Kippreport.com

Gulfood 2011 set to generate global growth for region’s dynamic food and beverage industry

October 15, 2010 3:45 by Rasha Reslan

Geographically positioned as the gateway between east and west, and with an established and efficient infrastructure to support the key re-import market it dominates, Dubai is the host city for Gulfood, the world’s biggest annual trade exhibition for the food and beverage industry.

The Middle East and its neighbouring regions remain key growth markets for the industry, with almost 90% of Middle East countries fully dependent on food imports, and the region identified as an emerging market with rapid population growth and the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Gulfood 2011 offers the ideal platform for all sectors of the food and beverage industry to both showcase and source products and services for the region’s markets. Running from 27 February – 2 March 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the trade show has already received unprecedented levels of rebooking and new enquiries from suppliers around the world. In terms of visitors, Gulfood is expected to attract more than 60,000 industry professionals to Dubai for the four day event, representing every sector across the food & hospitality spectrum.

“Gulfood is a dynamic catalyst for generating global growth, showcasing the broadest range of international food and beverage products, services, ingredients and technologies under one roof to key decision makers and professionals of the region’s fast-growing foodservice and hospitality sectors,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood. “There is no question that the show delivers tangible business benefits, and with Dubai’s unrivalled position as the trading and distribution hub for the region, Gulfood remains the most important annual must-attend event for the industry.”

Gulfood 2011 will be the biggest event in the show’s history, taking up over 1 million square feet of dedicated space and leveraging its regional influence to highlight the latest trends, innovations and developments in the industry. Restaurant & Café Middle East and Ingredients Middle East run concurrently with the show, creating a 360-degree industry offering for buyers and vendors.

A long-time participant in Gulfood, having exhibited at the show every year since its inception, is Al Islami Foods. Hamid Badawi, Deputy CEO of the company explained: “Gulfood is an essential element in our business plan. In 2010 we established new working relationships with suppliers and importers from Egypt, India, Brazil, Australia and Argentina. In total, we signed deals worth AED 7 million during the exhibition and we doubled that shortly after the event.

“This event deserves the credit for supporting food trade in the Gulf region,” he added. “The exhibition provides a fertile ground and gathers all the industry players from all around the world.”

Akber Ali, Director of Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific for German equipment giant, Convotherm reiterated the importance of Gulfood for the company: “We definitely made the right decision to come to Gulfood. Our sales were up 27 percent on last year, and the calibre of visitors to our stand was excellent. Customers are asking more and more questions, and while they are conscious of price, they are increasingly factoring quality into the equation. We look forward to participating in 2011.”

In addition to the transactional success enjoyed during Gulfood, the show also plays a key role in facilitating knowledge exchange for the industry. The annual Gulfood Conference brings together top international experts highlighting future trends and critical issues in the food and beverage industry. The Dubai International Food Safety Conference, organised by the Dubai Municipality, addresses essential food safety systems, regulations and best practices within the manufacturing, retailing and food service sectors of the industry.

The value of networking is also harnessed at Gulfood, through the Gulfood Majlis, a commercial forum that provides a discreet but focused environment for senior industry professionals to network and develop new business opportunities.

Excellence in all elements of the industry will once again be recognised during Gulfood 2011. The prestigious Emirates International Salon Culinaire, in association with the Emirates Culinary Guild, continues to attract more than 1,500 chefs to compete in front of a panel of 25 distinguished international judges, while the high profile Gulfood Awards will once again recognise the achievements and innovations of the region’s food and drink industry.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. Complimentary registration is available in advance online. Industry business professionals on the day of the show will be able to buy either a Day Pass for AED 75, or a Four Day Pass for AED 150. Gulfood is open from Sunday 27 February 2011 to Wednesday 2 March 2011.

Tags: Al Islami Foods, annual Gulfood Conference, Gulfood 2011, World’s Biggest Annual Trade Exhibition for Food