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With an unrivalled track record for delivering record business deals, quality customers and entry into lucrative new markets, Gulfood is a key element in the business plans of food, beverage and hospitality companies around the world. Generating billions of dirhams in transactions for local, regional and international manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers, the show is now the world’s largest annual trade exhibition for the industry and the 2012 show is forecast to facilitate more transactions than any other hospitality trade show globally.
Gulfood runs from 19-22 February 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and brings together 3,800 exhibitors and an expected 65,000 trade visitors from 152 countries for the four day show. More than 83 countries and a record 107 international pavilions are expected to record brisk business trade.
Reports from the Gulfood 2011 show included sales from the Malaysian pavilion alone of more than US$16.2 million during the show with an additional US$28.5 million in business trade conducted following the event. According to Dzulkifli Mahmud, Trade Commissioner of the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the GCC provides an excellent opportunity for Malaysian companies entering the market, and they are expecting sales to increase by approximately 20% over last year.
With the GCC now one of the top 10 markets for US agricultural exports, Gulfood plays an important role in facilitating global growth for the US industry. Over US$34 million worth of orders were confirmed at last year’s show, and many more contracts fulfilled as a result of US companies’ presence at Gulfood.
As the key economic driver of France’s economy, the food industry in the country contributes more than €150 billion annually, with exports to the Middle East region reaching more than €1.525 billion last year. More than 100 exhibitors filled the French Pavilion at Gulfood 2011, conducting record sales in poultry, dairy, apples, biscuits and mineral waters.
Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood said: “Trade shows around the world are under increasing pressure to deliver tangible benefits to companies participating and visitors attending, and Gulfood is now one of the most successful industry shows for delivering bottom line results. Trading reports from our exhibitors continues to increase year on year, with billions of dollars transacted on the show floor and beyond, in addition to the new market opportunities opening up every year and increased interest from around the world in this fast growing region.”
Many local and regional companies reported additional business opportunities last year from new customer segments. UAE based giant Masafi, reported business prospects from new markets beyond the GCC, including Lebanon, Morocco, Japan and a number of countries in Africa and Asia. Makram Haidar, Brand Manager for Masafi commented: “Our participation at Gulfood last year brought a new segment of visitor to our stand in the form of retailers and wholesalers, and a valuable addition to our traditional visitor profile of exporters and buyers.”
More than 1 million square feet of exhibition space has been dedicated to Gulfood, together with Restaurant & Cafe Middle East and Ingredients Middle East, the co-located shows that run alongside to deliver a 360-degree offering to the industry’s professionals.
Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. Complimentary registration is available in advance online. Industry business professionals on the day of the show will be able to buy a Four Day Pass for AED 200. Gulfood is open from 11am – 7pm Sunday 19 February to Tuesday 21 February and 11am – 5pm on Wednesday 22 February 2012.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
