SIAL, the International Food Exhibition (Salon International de l’Alimentation), will take place from October 21 - 25, 2018 at Paris Nord Villepinte, north of the French capital.
This biennial event has become the go-to, inspirational meeting place for the entire food-processing industry. For over 50 years, SIAL has grown in importance, showcasing innovations in the food business of today, while previewing the food solutions of tomorrow.
“All eyes in the food industry will be turned toward Paris in October 2018,” asserted Nicolas Trentesaux, director of the SIAL network. “Let us not forget that the food industry is one of the most dynamic industries in the majority of the G20 countries. Coming to SIAL Paris is about discovering opportunities for growth and new trends. It is about benefiting from an excellent springboard to attain the ambitious objectives aspired to by the actors of the food industry."
Trentesaux added, “SIAL Paris is a unique, inspirational platform for testing new markets, launching new products, and meeting the key professionals in the sector to discuss the challenges that lie ahead. It is also a veritable laboratory, with R&D departments from around the world finalising their innovations to test them in the aisles of the exhibition. More than 2,500 innovations will be unveiled to the world for the very first time as part of SIAL Innovation, serving up yet more inspiration to the food-processing industry.”
SIAL Paris will bring together representatives from the world's food sector, enabling participants to share and discuss the solutions of today and those of tomorrow, thus addressing the challenges the food sector is set to face in the next 30 years.
Close to 90% of the exhibition floor space has already been reserved and over 80 countries have already confirmed their attendance. Over the course of the event's five days, exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their products to more than 160,000 professional visitors from all over the world. Depending on their preferences, their expectations and their needs, visitors will be able to explore the exhibition on a sectoral or regional basis. There will be a breadth of offering that only SIAL Paris is able to guarantee to attendees, whatever their background.
SIAL continues to view itself as the forum of reference for promoting emerging sectors in the food industry. Since 2016, when this initiative was launched, the trade show has set up dedicated spaces for the promotion of tomorrow’s food solutions, which will be a key feature of SIAL Paris 2018. Hence, SIAL Paris will showcase alternative food – a new theme combining organic, free-from, eco-friendly and sustainable products with semi processed foods. A space for round tables and talks, as well as guided tours, will enhance the alternative food area.
In 2018, beverages will also be under the spotlight. And, because SIAL Paris is such a unique showcase for France’s food-processing industry, products carrying the "Made in France" label will be assembled and promoted under the same banner. Furthermore, the equipment and services zone will be back to allow micro-enterprises and SMEs to better present their technologies and equipment.
Meanwhile, a new feature of the trade show dedicated to forecasting trends, titled Future Lab, will constitute a hub for European start-ups, while providing global industry studies and experiential spaces.
Additionally, "Cuisine Moderne" will be on the menu at SIAL Paris, as represented by renowned chef Yannick Alléno, who is sponsoring the event this year. Alléno is an advocate of a reinvigorated French cuisine – rich in its legacy from the past and ambitious in its creations for the present and the future.
As the event’s sponsor, Alléno will be taking part in the selection committee for the prizes that are due to be awarded by SIAL Innovation. He will define a thematic foodservice trail and will select the products presented by the exhibitors for inclusion in a hamper bearing his name. He will also be appearing on SIAL TV on October 21, the opening day of the exhibition.
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
