SPONSORED CONTENT
Following a triumphant launch in 2017, GulfHost is back for business on October 30 - November 1, 2018. Reflecting regional demand, the 2nd edition of the Gulfood Hospitality and Foodservice Expo is doubling its sector coverage, expanding through dedicated zones for Gelato & Bakery, Cafe & Bar and HORECA. More than 2,500 brands are revving up to showcase 8,000 products across six core sectors, drawing 25,000 buyers to the global centre for international hospitality trade.
GulfHost is the new home of hospitality for the Middle East, Africa and Asia. This is where suppliers of a wide range of kitchen solutions and dining apparel can connect with the biggest name hospitality buyers in one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Building on the success of its headline sectors covering front-of-house, back-of-house and tableware, this year GulfHost will additionally unlock major new business zones to meet demand from regional buyers.
| Advertisement |
2018's new dedicated zones include:
Café & Bar
> As affluent consumers increasingly view coffee as an artisan, specialist and quality experience, the Middle East coffee industry is expected to reach a value of $4.4 billion by 2021
> As millennials drive out of home coffee growth, coffee shop sales are expected to hike 8.9% in the UAE by 2021
Gelato & Bakery
> The artisan, premium batch and low fat appeal of Italian gelato has driven annual global growth of 4% between 2015 and 2018
> The UAE gelato and ice-cream sector is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2016-21
> In Saudi Arabia the gelato and ice-cream sector is forecast to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% from 2016-21
> The rapid growth of the foodservice industry is expected to fuel demand for ready-to-eat snacks, especially bakery products
HORECA
> According to real estate market advisory firm Colliers International, Saudi Arabia is expected to be a hotel and tourism hot spot in the GCC with many potential new opportunities opening up within the sector and across the value chain. Spurred by the country’s latest diversification plans, new visa programmes and many large scale projects, the Kingdom’s Five Year Forecasted Annual Growth (CAGR) currently sits at a significant 13.5% ahead of Oman at 11.8% and the UAE at 10.1%. Key HORECA trends for the GCC region include staff being empowered to multitask with the use of new technology; location based services enabling a new level of interaction with guests and behavioral data analysis driving bespoke and effective loyalty programmes
As the region’s premier opportunity for the hospitality industry to meet, do business and build relationships, GulfHost is once again running alongside a trio of finished food product trade shows known as the Speciality Food Festival, Yummex Middle East and Seafex Middle East. These Gulfood-powered events give visitors the chance to discover what is trending on world-wide menus and supermarket shelves in the form of gourmet & artisan foods, confectionery & snacks and seafood products & tools. With a full schedule of onsite features and training opportunities supported by major culinary associations, this three day platform is not just a chance to source restaurant equipment and cosmopolitan F&B options but also an opportunity to remain at the cutting edge of Foodservice preparation for the year ahead.
Onsite features and networking
One major attraction for visitors is the GulfHost Restaurant Development Conference. Powered by the International Centre for Culinary Arts in Dubai (ICCA) and the Middle East Food Forum (MEFF) the conference is an open-door, transformative learning platform hosted by the brightest lights in regional F&B. Over three days, more than 60 high-profile speakers take to the floor to share their proven methods for navigating the latest shifts in local and regional Foodservice.
Another major draw is the ICCA World Chefs Education Theatre hosted in partnership with World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) and the Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG). This on-site workspace provides certified training to executive chefs seeking next level culinary development. Utilising custom built, cutting-edge kitchen technology on the theatre floor, participants are guided through a series of workshops covering food preparation techniques and trends, ingredient cost management, food waste reduction and productivity output.
For the full list of features, showcases and industry trends visit gulfhost.ae