F&B preview: The Hotel Show 2015

The Hotel Show is the largest meeting place for the hospitality industry in the Middle East and Africa with an expected 18,000 attendees from 98 countries, 700 exhibitors, 1000 brands, and more than 100 expert speakers sharing three days of debate, presentation and discussion.

With a reported 694 hotel projects currently underway across the MENA region, together with new restaurants, cafes, food outlets and refurbishments, the demand for leading products is at its peak.

“F&B is one of the most important sectors driving and influencing the hospitality market,” said Christine Davidson, group event director of the dmg events hospitality portfolio which includes The Hotel Show, The Leisure Show and the Middle East Hotel Awards.

“Hotel construction in the region is at an all–time high and hotel restaurants drive revenue so competition continues to grow in the wider F&B industry with individual concepts, international brands and hi–tech facilities on the increase. We saw direct evidence of the sudden drive and focus on F&B at The Middle East Hotel Awards in June where entries for Best Restaurant Award tripled, and now we see it play out again — where one of the most popular subject areas at this year’s Vision Conference is F&B.”

She continued: “We see the increased level of global interest in the Middle East hospitality market directly reflected on the exhibition floor, with new companies and brands exhibiting in the horeca and food service sectors of the show for 2015 including RAK Porcelain and 1765 Gemini. We know that this year we will be providing the largest hospitality procurement opportunity in the region with the very latest collections, products, services and inspiration for hotel and restaurant owners and directors.”

Top 5 things F&B industry professionals should see:

The Hotel Show Dubai 2015 team picks out the five elements from the show that are a must–see for F&B professionals:

1. THE VISION CONFERENCE — DAY 2

The Vision Conference is a popular educational feature within The Hotel Show programme. Over the three days of the event, 80+ expert speakers will gather to discuss current issues and trends in the hospitality and leisure industry in the Middle East and Africa. This year will see more speakers from the F&B industry than ever before with representatives from Cain Hospitality Innovation, Kroma, McQueen’s Group, Foodiva, Silver Spoon Investments and more. Topics include: When international brands want to enter the MENA region; Trends & predictions in the restaurant business up to 2020; F&B concept development; Culinary entrepreneurialism; New projects, new trends, new territories and pioneering concepts; and, The Chefs Big debate.

Freedom Pizza founder Ian Ohan is one of the speakers, talking about the challenge of moving away from franchise agreements. He said: “This topic is particularly pertinent for me as a former franchise owner of NKD Pizza, having built up our business to be their most successful operation in the world, before having to make the difficult decision to launch my own brand — Freedom Pizza. The Hotel Show is an excellent B2B platform to launch my newbrand.”

Ohan continued: “I hope to bring a practical perspective to the topic, to help other entrepreneurs in the industry make informed and balanced evaluations of the different business models. The hospitality industry in the Middle East is pretty dynamic — it’s competitive and developing fast. It’s also become mature enough to move beyond global franchises and allow independent brands to launch and thrive, and even to expand beyond the region into the wider world. This is an exciting time to be a part of this industry.”

2. NEW COMPANIES FOR 2015

One example of this is Ariane Fine Porcelain,with operations in Lebanon, Italy, India and Bangladesh. The brand will be exhibiting in the UAE for the first time at the show.

A representative said: “Through our state–of–the– art production technique, advanced technical know-how and creative team of experts is born a durable, high quality product, suitable for all fine hospitality, catering and food & beverage establishments. Our collections are made by industry professionals for industry professionals, encompassing creativity, functionality, durability and timelessness.”

3. PRODUCT LAUNCHES FOR 2015

Dubai-based Renarte Hospitality Supplies LLC is launching a number of international brands new to the UAE. Renarte general manager Sharon Black said: “Our leadership constantly travels the globe looking for new, innovative products and service solutions to offer to clients, be it for a new opening or an existing operation. We are looking forward to The Hotel Show Dubai 2015 where we will be launching a host of new, international brands to the UAE hospitality market.”

4. F&B PRESENCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE FOR 2015

The International Village has grown this year with companies from 45 countries on board and featuring a host of new brands. Larger country pavilions for 2015 include Italy and Turkey.

Designer tableware and kitchenware manufacturer Sambonet and Rosenthal Porcelain will be exhibiting, jointly offering a full range of dinnerware, holloware and flatware designed for hotel and professional catering clients.

Another Italian firm, Luigi Bormioli, will also be present at the show. Some of its new products include Grangusto, a new collection created for all fine wines and for the sales/service of wine by the glass. It will also launch a new product line featuring glass with a mirror finish, exceptional surface hardness, anti-scratch, and protects liquid contained from damaging UV rays. It has also extended the successful range Thermic Glass Food & Design with five single serving containers with handles, hand-made in borosilicate double-wall.

With production of approximately 70 million units per year, 22 stores and many outlets, Porland Porselen will launch its new product, Alumilite, following a five year R&D effort. The brand’s representative said: “Alumilite has a stiff structure similar to hard-paste porcelain, a translucent look, high mechanical resistance, a hard surface and is creamy white in colour — an indispensable feature of soft-paste porcelains.”

5. F&B EXHIBITORS GOING BIGGER FOR 2015

L’espace International Company, a supplier of top-quality, ultra-modern products and equipment to hotels, hospitals, restaurants, kitchens, palaces and villas, are hosting a bigger stand and product range at The Hotel Show Dubai for 2015. Brands the company supplies include: Tonino Lamborghini, LG Electronics and Candola, meanwhile recent projects include Al Misbah Golf Club, Hilton Kuwait Resort and Le Méridien Kuwait.

A L’espace spokesperson said: “Having well-established ties with renowned international companies across Europe, America and the Far East, we commenced our Kuwait operations in 2001. Currently, L’espace International Company is extending its business activities, to supply its entire range of products across the Middle East.”

8 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT The Hotel Show 2014:

• 17,772 total attendees from 98 visiting countries
• 596 international exhibitors from 45 different countries
• 200 exhibitors represented horeca / operating equipment & supplies
• 63% of visitors were key decision–makers, purchasers or buyers — 21% with purchasing responsibility in excess of US $1mn
• 53.4% of visitors were chefs, hospitality and catering professionals
• 61% of visitors were from hospitality, hotels & accommodation, arts, entertainment & recreation, restaurants, bars & fast-food, and catering
• 11.6% of total attendees were at the show specifically to source kitchen and catering equipment
• US $6.2mn worth of business was secured on-site

Products

A look at some of the products you will see at the show this year

PROCURIO

OS&E supplier Procurio will be presenting the Modern Rustic collection from Bauscher, Sequence from Hepp, and Finesse and Grace from Schott Zwiesel. The Modern Rustic range features impact-resistant crockery with soft edges and a natural ceramic look and feel. The Sequence range of buffet stands is simple to use and comprises around 40 pieces. Finesse and Grace by Schott Zwiesel are stemmed glasses with elegant contours.

Tel: +971 4 334 1040
Email: info@procurio-me.com
Web: www.procurio-me.com

KENYON INTERNATIONAL

Kenyon will be showcasing its grill, introduced to serve VIP guests in their rooms. The guests can order any type of food that they would like to have grilled and the hotel staff can wheel it to their rooms. It can also be carted around the property for pool or tableside use. It is smoke–free and has a patented design, and a touch-control design like most smart phones. It is represented by Orient Hospitality International in the region.

Tel: +1 860 664 4906
Email: hello@cookwithkenyon.com
Web: www.cookwithkenyon.com

INTERMETAL

AluLegno by Intermetal is constructed from chiselled wood-like aluminium profile, and the appearance is similar to a solid wood chair. The collection includes different styles with distinct characteristics and each is available with or without arms, stackable for easy storage and handling, and unlike wooden chairs they are virtually maintenance-free. AluLegno features a wider seat and back for hours of comfortable seating.

Tel: +971 4 884 1650
Email: sales@intermetal.com
Website: www.intermetal.com

AL DIYAFA

New brands introduced by Al Diyafa this year include Tablecraft (USA), which will complement American Metal Craft’s range. The brands provide practical and durable tabletop and buffetware solutions. It will also showcase Bonzer from Mitchell & Cooper (UK), a barware brand, along with its cocktail tools offering, The Heritage Strainers Range — Hawthorne strainers, sprung julep, julep strainer and fine strainer.

Tel: +971 4 347 4727
Email: diyafa99@emirates.net.ae
Web: www.aldiyafa.com

IHS GLOBAL

Cool Cube universal tables blend fine furniture and operating equipment, allowing customers to scale kitchens to their liking. The roll-in table has several applications and can be used to pre-prepare for service. Cool Cube tables have reversible tops, so a customer can choose light and dark laminates or opt for glass on one side with veneer on the other. With interchangeable tops, it’s easy to stick to the standard or customise.

Tel: +44 773 486 9492
Email: dion@ihsGlobalAlliance.com
Web: www.ihsGlobalAlliance.com