Launching during Dubai International Hospitality Week (DIHW), an initiative endorsed by Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), GulfHost 2017 is the first dedicated hospitality and food services expo in the Middle East.
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which also owns and organises the world’s largest annual food trade show, Gulfood, the new exhibition will showcase a full inventory of back-of-house solutions such as commercial ovens and culinary equipment, fittings, and utensils; a broad spectrum of front-of-house elements; and the latest café and bar counter solutions, products, and services.
More than 2,000 exhibitors will participate across DIHW, with GulfHost alone hosting 16 country pavilions from countries including Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, China, Korea, Taiwan, India, Lebanon, Australia, the Netherlands, and Egypt. Key exhibitors at GulfHost include A. Ronai, Ali Group, Alto Sham, Cimbali, Falcon Kitchen, Henny Penny, La Marquise, Manitowoc, the Middleby Corporation, and RAK Porcelain.
The coffee market in the Middle East is growing twice as fast as the global average in terms of consumption, according to Euromonitor International, thanks to a multi-cultural appetite for the beverage and 40% of the region’s population fitting the ‘coffee-culture’ age demographic of 15-34. GulfHost, therefore, will provide a platform for coffee equipment suppliers and café owners to connect.
Innovation is also a focus, with a dedicated Innovation Corner showcasing the latest technology solutions to elevate commercial kitchen performance. The show also sees the introduction of the GulfHost Innovation Awards, to recognise the innovators championing new techniques, products, and technologies within the hospitality industry.
In partnership with the International Centre for Culinary Arts Dubai, GulfHost will feature the Middle East Food Forum — a three-day conference targeting F&B professionals. Sessions will include franchising, business set-up, talent management, and regional F&B regulations and policies. A Dragon’s Den-style competition will also take place, offering F&B entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their ideas to potential investors.
The significance of the new event is demonstrated in the strategic partnerships it has cemented with key industry associations in Europe, including Italy’s Organizzazione Vittorio Caselli, Germany’s HKI Hospitality Association, the UK’s CESA Hospitality Association, and Spain’s AFEHC Hospitality Association.
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