The event is the region's fastest-growing professional exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality industries.
Trade exhibition SIAL Middle East 2015 opens today (Monday 7 December) at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and will run until Wednesday 9 December.
The region's fastest-growing professional exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality industries will occupy six halls at ADNEC, and begin with the inaugural SIAL World Summit.
An expected 700 delegates and 50 high profile speakers are expected at SIAL World Summit, which aims to showcase technologies, ingredients and business models that address issues impacting the food and beverage industry.
SIAL Middl East 2015 is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.
Ali Yousef Al Saad, chairman of the organising committee for SIAL 2015 and acting director of communications and community service division at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), commented: “A growing population, rising income levels and changing consumption patterns are increasing our dependence on imported goods.
"In order to alleviate this trend SIAL Middle East will this year unveil a new-look line-up focusing on innovative strategy and approaches for local producers to bridge the gap between supply and demand in the region.”
Returning to the show this year is La Cuisine by SIAL, organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the World Association of Chefs' Societies.
The competition will this year feature a record 850 professional chefs all competing for an array of culinary awards.
| Advertisement |
The SIAL Innovation World Champions awards’ showcase, which has seen a record number of entries, will see 113 products competing in the final with winners announced on the second evening of the show.
Another competition gracing the SIAL exhibition floor for the first time is the Regional Barista Championship, held in association with the International Coffee and Tea Festival, whereby 21 baristas will compete for the Best Regional Barista award.
Fadi Saad, director, SIAL Middle East, said: “A solid foundation has ensured we are delivering an event that goes from strength to strength.
"The numbers are extremely encouraging and underscore the importance of SIAL – more than 900 exhibitors, an increase in international pavilions, an increase in competitors in all competitions and a 30% increase in pre-registration all highlight the success of SIAL to date and provides a positive outlook as we move forward.”
The event is supported by host sponsor, Abu Dhabi Chamber; headline sponsor, Al Dahra Agriculture; diamond sponsor, Jenaan Investments; platinum sponsor, Agthia; silver sponsor, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi & Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology and retail partner, Lulu.
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
