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Gulfood Innovation Summit to debut at Gulfood ’19, focus on innovation
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Thursday, 17 January, 2019, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Anurag More, Mumbai
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The Gulfood Innovation Summit, a robust new conference programme, will make its debut at the 24th edition of Gulfood, which will be organised by and take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) between February 17 and 21, 2019. It is all about consumer trends, innovation, the unveiling of opportunities and a real battle of flavours. The World of Good, The World of Food is the theme of this year’s event.
Industry deliberations revolving around consumer preferences will feature heavily in the Gulfood Innovation Summit, which will take place between February 18 and 20. The Summit will see the airing of a global social and economic outlook for the F&B industry on its first day.
Ranging from sector disruptors such as Beyond Meat, to major global entities including the United Nations’ (UN) World Food Programme (WFP), it will also feature exclusive question-and-answer sessions with globally-acclaimed chefs, influencers and industry leaders on the challenges of introducing breakthrough concepts to local markets.
“The summit will tackle a diverse range of issues which are already impacting, and will continue to effect, the global F&B industry during this hugely transformative part of its history,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice-president, exhibitions and events, DWTC.
“As an educational forum, it is a vital learning ground and essential for those looking to keep up with the pace of change this sector is currently experiencing,” she added.
Gulfood at a glance
The event will see 98,000 visitors with 5,000 exhibitors and 120 country pavilions vying for business with the latest F&B produce and showcases across eight primary market sectors, namely beverages; dairy; fats and oils; pulses, grains and cereals; health, wellness and free-from; meat and poultry; power brands; and world food.
Global talent descends on Dubai
Keynote addresses on the industry’s challenges and opportunities and global food supply will come from Bernhard van Lengerich, board member, Beyond Meat, and former chief science officer and vice-president, technology strategy, General Mills; and Paul Newnham, director, WFP. A blueprint for the Design of Good Food for the future, meanwhile, will be the summit domain of Nigel Hughes, senior vice-president, research and development, Kellogg’s.
Elsewhere, incisive success pointers will be unveiled by some of the biggest names in the local, regional and international business, with distributors picking up tips from Bhushant Ghandi, general manager, Truebell, which is an international F&B powerhouse and one of the GCC’s (Gulf Cooperation Council) largest independent food and licensed beverage importers.
Retailers and online disruptors come to the fore
Retailers will hear how changing consumer preferences are driving a sector revolution in a panel discussion aimed at airing new strategies, showcasing technologies and ensuring industry players select the right product mix, while Yusuff Ali M A, chairman and managing director of retailing giant Lulu Group will feature on the panel alongside a senior representative of hypermarket chain MAF-Carrefour.
Some of the biggest online delivery channel players will also take to the summit stage to give their views on how the sector will continue to impact the F&B scene. Deep insights will come from Anis Harb, general manager, Dubai, Deliveroo; Spencer Price, chief executive officer, Halla I/O; and Toon Gyssels, chief operating officer, Talabat.
The Summit spotlight will also fall on Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with industry forecasts being proffered for both countries.
Workshops, seminars and conferences
In keeping with its theme, Gulfood 2019 will showcase the global diversity of food via its international exhibitor base and a major pool of Michelin-starred chefs participating in the all-new Tastes of the World competition. Many of the largest country pavilions, including France, Germany, Spain, Japan and Brazil, are already committed to the contest.
On the good side, shifting consumer preferences for health food options and other industry-shaping topics will feature heavily in the Gulfood Innovation Summit.
Mark Napier, show director, DWTC, said, “Innovation forms the focus of the summit and will feature across many of the topical panel discussions and keynotes, including Online Platforms and Impact on Food Delivery Channels; The Future of Food: Challenges and Opportunities and Exploring New Revenue Streams”.
“The Gulfood Innovation Awards will also be back in 2019, recognising best-in-class excellence of individuals and companies behind the leadership and innovation in the F&B industry. Judged by prestigious industry leaders, the Gulfood Innovation Awards features 12 categories, which include the following:
- Most Innovative Soft Beverage
- Most Innovative Hot Beverage
- Most Innovative Dairy Innovation
- Most Innovative Halal Food
- Most Innovative Baked or Confectionery
- Most Innovative Condiment or Sauce
- Most Innovative Frozen or Chilled Food
- Most Innovative Organic Product
- Most Innovative Health & Wellness Product
- Most Innovative Meat or Poultry Innovation
- Best New Product Development
- Best Packaging (Design) Impact
New experiential zones
Also new for Gulfood 2019 is a range of immersive features designed to enhance visitor experience and facilitate greater business opportunities, including CxO Club, Start-Up Programme, the Meat-Me competition, Tea House, and a dedicated Health Lab.
“The new features are designed to reflect the trends the industry is currently undergoing and will bring new dynamics to a show that is already well known for its vibrancy in product and service innovation,” said LohMirmand.
Meat Me
The two-day competition will see US-style barbeque pit masters from UAE-based restaurants go head-to-head in smoking and BBQ masterclasses and cook-offs. The contest has won early support from American chef and pitmaster Orelle Young of The Blacksmith Smokehouse Dubai, the emirate’s first real smokehouse, who opined that the Gulfood spotlight can give the segment a much-deserved boost.
“We are thrilled to contribute to a uniquely delicious culinary practice at one of the largest F&B conventions in the world,” said Young, adding, “We are on a mission to share our knowledge and passion for American barbecue with the world and intend to showcase the daily production routine of our signature smoked meats. We are in the business of butchering, seasoning and smoking meats low and slow for many hours.
Tea House
This on-trend experience will enliven the Beverages Hall. Sponsored and organised by Tea Valley, a part of India’s innovative DJ Group, the programme will feature a Chinese tea ceremony, as well as workshops and seminars probing the health attributes of tea, the basics of the drink and tea art.
Health Lab
Health Lab is a core component of the show’s good proposition and will address rising consumer demand for healthy ingredients and overall products, a movement identified as a key global growth driver by French syrups and drinks producer Monin, which is returning to Gulfood for a 12th showing.
“Consumers are increasingly looking for healthy choices in their food and drinks. They are counting calories and reading labels in search of all-natural ingredients and low or zero sugar content,” explained Olga Cassidy, the company’s trade marketing manager.
Monin plans to use Gulfood 2019 to launch its new La Flavour de Monin range, which comprises natural and authentic concentrated fruit, herbal and spicy flavours without any added sugar or sweeteners.
Start-Up Programme
The show’s new Start-up Programme will see over 50 entrepreneurs from around the world demonstrate their increasing penetration of the international F&B segment, and will feature a conference series focussed on topics concerning F&B start-ups, and a pitch platform.
CxO Club
The CxO Club offers a closed business breakfast club for the industry’s proven risk-takers to explore and set new industry pathways.
“Gulfood continues to underline its trend-setting status as global industry pioneer and the 2019 show raises the bar even higher. The diversity of the content on offer and new immersive experiences, in addition to increased potential for new market opportunities, will enable visitors to get the most out of their Gulfood stay while ensuring exhibitors continue to get access to the audience they most wish to meet – buyers with specific interests in their sectors,” stated LohMirmand.
Co-located events with Gulfood 2019
Napier said, “Halal World Food is a segmented show-within-a-show at Gulfood 2019. Now in its 6th edition, it is the world’s biggest Halal food sourcing trade event, reinforcing Gulfood’s appeal and reach across the entire global food industry landscape. Halal World Food provides a perfect meeting point for major local, regional and international Halal food producers to explore new areas of business opportunities and investment in this lucrative sector.”
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