Food&HotelAsia returns even bigger and better in its 40th year

SINGAPORE - The most comprehensive international food and hospitality biennial mega trade event in the region, Food&HotelAsia (FHA), will return from 24 to 27 April 2018 to two venues – Singapore Expo and Suntec Singapore. Organised by UBM SES, it will house its biggest-ever industry congregation with 4,000 international exhibitors from more than 70 countries and regions, an increase of over 800 exhibitors, or 25 per cent, compared to its last edition. The event's total floor area spans 119,500 sqm, 23 per cent increase from 97,000 sqm.

68 international groups are confirmed and spread across the two venues, with Armenia and Qatar being the newest countries to participate. Some international group pavilions will also see members from 22 international trade associations and government agencies participating in FHA for the first time.

"FHA's growth reflects the changing landscapes of the F&B and hospitality industries in Singapore and the region over the decades," said Mr. Rodolphe Lameyse, Project Director, Food & Hospitality, UBM SES. "Having FHA2018 span two of the largest exhibition venues in Singapore proves just how much the event has grown since 1978."

"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!"

FHA first began as FoodAsia and HotelAsia in a hotel car park in April 1978. Held alongside the exhibition was the Food Asia Salon Culinaire, forerunner of the FHA Culinary Challenge.

In the 1980s, FHA moved to the World Trade Centre (presently Harbourfront Centre). The event grew in size and internationality, first occupying one hall at World Trade Centre, to six halls in 1992. Recognising the industry's need to be agile and adjust along a changing economic landscape, specialised exhibitions were gradually introduced to enable international companies to extend their businesses to serve new vertical sectors.

In 2000, FHA relocated to the Singapore Expo, occupying six halls. In 2014, FHA, with six specialised exhibitions – FoodAsia, HotelAsia, Bakery&Pastry, HospitalityStyleAsia, HospitalityTechnology and SpecialityCoffee&Tea, fully occupied all 10 halls of the Singapore Expo. 2018 marks another milestone in FHA's history, as the event expands to a second venue at Suntec Singapore.

Ms. Margaret Heng, Executive Director of the Singapore Hotel Association said, "FHA's growth over the years and its development with the inclusion of new elements and features in every edition reflects the evolution of Singapore's hospitality industry. The Singapore Hotel Association is proud to support FHA to bring the best of Singapore's food and hospitality standards to the global stage."

"The Singapore Chefs Association's support for FHA over the four decades encompasses not only the depth but breadth of an indispensable and necessary collaboration. And we are confident that this support will be cemented further in our common vision for the food and hospitability industries," said Mr. Edmund Toh, President, Singapore Chefs Association.

More than a mega trade event
Beyond the traditional sourcing ground, FHA also offers many experiential networking and learning opportunities through new and improved speciality zones and industry-renowned competitions. Through these activities, visitors will gain insights into the rapid changes impacting the F&B and hospitality industries, and with easy access to the necessary tools, contacts, skills and knowledge, they will be able to stay relevant and maintain their competitive edge.

78,000 trade attendees from over 100 countries and regions are expected at the 2018 edition. In 2016, the event attracted 71,800 trade attendees, including exhibiting staff, trade visitors, conference speakers and delegates, judges and competitors, and members of the media. Visitors who attended included key decision makers from Accor Hotels, Best Western, Cathay Pacific Catering Systems, Dunkin Brands, Emirates Flight Catering, Highland Coffee, Hilton Worldwide, Lotte Mart, Marriott International, Melcro Crown Entertainment, Singapore Airlines, Starbucks Coffee Company, Tesco, TWG Tea, Unilever Asia, Wyndham Hotel Group, YTL Hotels & Properties and many more.

Read more...