FHA2016 features many firsts in food & hospitality

The international food and hospitality scene is heating up, with Asia taking the lead. In four months’ time, the region’s premier industry event, FHA2016 (Food&HotelAsia2016) will bring more than 300 first-time exhibitors to the show, including a host of new international group pavilion entrants.

The first-time exhibitors will bring with them a range of new products and ingredients, equipment and supplies, and best-of-breed services. This will result in a bigger and more diverse exhibition profile, offering more choices than ever before to industry buyers, and adds to FHA’s appeal as the trade show to see and be seen at.

“For the 2016 event, we are seeing many new local and international companies joining us for the very first time. This is a firm reflection of the importance the industry places in the event, and solidifies its position as the event of choice for food and hospitality players, mega and small, from across the region and beyond,” says Ting Siew Mui, project director of Lifestyle Events at Singapore Exhibition Services, organiser of FHA.

To be held from April 12-15 at the Singapore Expo, FHA2016 will clock another first with its unveiling of ProWine Asia 2016. Teaming up with Messe Düsseldorf Asia to bring this newest ProWein satellite event to FHA, ProWine Asia 2016 presents an ideal gateway for international producers of wine and spirits wishing to tap into the South-east Asian market.

One of Singapore Exhibition Services’s flagship industry events, FHA2016 will highlight many firsts in its 38 years, including:

• First-time exhibitors: Local conglomerates such as Boon Tong Kee; Fraser & Neave; Lam Soon; Owl International; and Yeo Hiap Seng will take the stage with approximately 3,000 returning exhibitors. Also joining the line-up of new exhibitors is a host of global brands such as Arla; Blue Diamond Growers; Scelta Mushrooms; and SodaStream Professional.
• First-time international group pavilions: Algeria, Hungary, Poland and The Netherlands.
• First outdoor extension: For the first time, space at FHA2016 will be extended to accommodate exhibitors from FoodAsia.
• First ProWine Asia: With Messe Düsseldorf Asia, Singapore Exhibition Services will bring the first ProWine Asia exhibition to South-east Asia — co-located with FHA2016. Modelled after the globally-recognised wine and spirit trade fair ProWein in Düsseldorf, ProWine Asia will tap into Messe Düsseldorf’s wealth of experience, expertise and standing as the business-promoting order platform for international wine and spirits segment. Through the staging of ProWine Asia, FHA will be able to grow and extend its existing wine and spirits segment.
• First Sweet High Tea Challenge: Part of the renowned FHA Culinary Challenge, the new Sweet High Tea Challenge, open to teams from hotels, restaurants, confectionaries, airlines, culinary training institutes and catering establishments, will see teams of two competing to impress judges with a high tea set for six.
• First Hotels & Resorts Management conference track: This track will explore topics on suitable business models for hospitality owners, the use of smart technology for operational efficiency, sustainable hotel design and new design trends for hotels and resorts, as well as an update on new hospitality projects in the Asian region
• First Talk Track on F&B Productivity: Covering sustainable kitchen concepts and design, the new segment at the F&B Design, Technology & Operations conference track features case studies on effective designs to maximise productivity, trends in menu engineering and successful outsourcing of culinary preparations.

Asia-Pacific driving new opportunities and growth for food and hospitality industries
Recent demographic and policy changes in Asia-Pacific have led to a surge in international travel and retail spending in the region. The growing middle class, affordable air travel and accommodation, as well as the ASEAN Open Skies Policy, which allows ASEAN airlines to fly freely throughout the region, are creating enormous potential for local and international brands.

To benefit from the influx of affluent travellers into the region, hoteliers and retailers need to look at ways to improve productivity. One way of achieving this is through the adoption of new technologies that help provide more personalised services to guests.

To address these trends, FHA2016 International Conference will discuss key issues affecting the food and hospitality industry such as commercial opportunities for hotels, green hotel design, big data analytics for smart operations, and food traceability.

Joint plenary sessions featuring CEO insights, stakeholders panel discussions and think tanks will see experts from around the world sharing their perspectives and views on the latest trends in the food and hospitality sectors.

“I am very heartened that our 20th instalment will be off to a great start and I am very excited to see the event come to fruition. The food and hospitality industry is evolving rapidly with changing consumer needs and behaviours.

“Consumers today not only expect good service from hospitality and foodservice establishments, but they are also increasingly drawn to products derived from ethical, clean and safe manufacturing. We will be covering these trends at FHA2016, and we look forward to having meaningful discussions with participants,” adds Ting.

FHA2016 will feature six specialised exhibitions, namely, FoodAsia, HotelAsia, SpecialityCoffee&Tea, Bakery&Pastry, HospitalityStyleAsia and HospitalityTechnology, each with its own unique themes and areas of focus.

Adding to the holistic experience, FHA2016 will host a series of activities including intense, prestigious competitions targeting professionals from specific groups and sectors of the food and hospitality industry. These include the FHA Culinary Challenge 2016, the FHA Barista Challenge 2016, the FHA Latte Art Challenge 2016 and Asian Pastry Cup 2016.

The last edition of FHA in 2014 garnered the attention of more than 65,000 trade attendees and played host to about 3,000 exhibitors from 65 countries and regions.