The event of the year for the food and hospitality industry, the 14th edition of which took place from 23 to 26 February 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, it is the ideal meeting point for the b2b activities of producers, distributors and suppliers coming from all continents.
As the results of the previous edition have amply confirmed, Gulfood, thanks also to the growing exhibition space available, not only attracts a remarkable number of operators in the sector, but also just as many professionals from sectors which would appear to be less related.
On the other hand, the food and the hospitality are a theme which really regards and involves everyone. In effect, among the significant presences, there are the air companies, civil and military aviation and government bodies, communal administrations, wholesalers and retailers from the most varied commercial sectors, all together with specialists in the catering and hospitality sectors.
Some figures worthy of note: the total number of visitors was over 39,147, coming from more than 148 countries (40% of these were from states foreign to the UAE Federation) with high percentages from Middle Eastern countries and significant levels of presences from Asia, Africa and Europe. The total number of exhibiting companies was 2,965 coming from 72 countries.
The consolidated custom of contemporarily matching different b2b events on related themes, which has already been experimented in the past and for this reason further developed, continues to give good results. In effect, the following were held jointly (as will happen in the next edition):
- The Emirates International Salon Culinaire organised by the Culinary Association of the Emirates, with theme based seminars, gastronomic competitions and demonstrations with the participation of over 1,000 chefs.
- The Dubai International Food Safety Conference organised by the Department for Public Health at the Commune of Dubai with important conferences, debates and seminars on every thing that regards research and the safeguarding of food, drink and health.
- The Restaurant & Café Middle East, the most important trade fair for furnishings, equipment, supplies and services for restaurants and bars.
- Beverage Opportunity Workshops. A series of round tables on technical themes and tendency management, as well as innovations and opportunities in the drinks world.