Gulfood UPS Knowledge-Exchange Ante With First-Ever Innovation Summit
Global food sector power brand Gulfood – the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition – will celebrate its new ‘The World of Good, The World of Food’ theme by launching the Gulfood Innovation Summit, a robust new conference programme, in 2019.
In line with the ‘good’ proposition of its core theme, the 24th edition of Gulfood – running at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from February 17-21, 2019 – will see consumer preferences feature heavily in the Gulfood Innovation Summit, where three-days of industry discussion, from February 18-20, and the airing of a global social and economic outlook for the F&B industry on its first day.
The Summit 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 & Events, DWTC. “As an educational forum, the Summit is a vital learning ground and essential for those looking to keep up with the pace of change this sector is currently experiencing.”
Global talent descends on Dubai
Keynote addresses on the industry’s challenges and opportunities and global food supply will come from Dr. Bernhard van Lengerich, Board Member of Beyond Meat and former Chief Science Officer & Vice-President of Technology Strategy, General Mills; and Paul Newnham, Director of the World Food Programme, United Nations. A blueprint for the Design of Good Food for the future, meanwhile, will be the Summit domain of Dr. Nigel Hughes, SVP Research & 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 of international F&B powerhouse Truebell, which is one of the GCC’s 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) of Deliveroo; Spencer Price, CEO of 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.
Gulfood at a glance
Gulfood visitors will discover a show packed to the DWTC rafters taking up more than 1,000,000 square feet with 5,000 exhibitors and 120 country pavilions vying for business with the latest F&B produce and showcases across eight primary market sectors: Beverages; Dairy; Fats & Oils; Pulses, Grains & Cereals; Health, Wellness & Free-from; Meat & Poultry; Power Brands; and World Food.
Gulfood 2019 is a trade event open strictly to business and trade visitors. The show is open 11am-7pm from February 17 – 20 and 11am-5pm on February 21. Visitors who pre-register before February 07 will save AED150 (USD40) on the on-site entry fee of AED420 (USD114). Visit www.gulfood.com
