Key hospitality trade shows open in Dubai

Dubai / Emirates Business

Dr Rashid bin Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology – owned and organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) officially opened the region’s leading hospitality trade shows on Monday.
These included the inaugural edition of GulfHost 2017, the Middle East’s first dedicated exhibition for the hospitality and food services industry, and niche food trade shows The Speciality Food Festival, SEAFEX Middle East and yummex ME, the latter of which is jointly organised with Koelnmesse GmbH.
The shows are presented during Dubai International Hospitality (DIHW), the Middle East’s largest hotel and foodservice event, and are co-located with two other complementary industry exhibitions, The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show, organized by dmg events. The three-day trade-only events will run until September 20 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Welcoming tens of thousands of visitors across 80,000 sq-metres of exhibition space, DIHW brings together over 2,000 international exhibitors, including industry leading brands from around the world. Over 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, including C-suite decision makers and buyers from a broad spectrum of organizations within the hospitality industry.
GulfHost and the niche food trade shows, The Speciality Food Festival, SEAFEX Middle East and yummex ME have been brought under the umbrella of Dubai International Hospitality Week, an initiative endorsed by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Dubai’s is infamous for its hospitality offerings, which is a key driver of the tourism industry, attracting investment from across the world. Today’s gathering of industry professionals will further cement Dubai’s place
as the hub for hospitality, and for
international business.”

GulfHost 2017
A first for the region, GulfHost 2017 gives trade visitors the opportunity to access the full range of hospitality supplies, from front of house, back of house and bar and counter. Innovation forms a key focus at GulfHost, with a dedicated Innovation Corner showcasing the latest cutting-edge technology solutions being introduced to elevate commercial kitchen performance. Also taking place during the show, the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai and the Middle East Food Forum (MEFF) present key industry experts at the Restaurant Development Conference, developed to gain insight into opportunities, challenges and innovations of the industry.

Speciality Food Festival
This year marks the 8th edition of Speciality Food Festival (SFF), with continued expansion of the niche show demonstrating the growing appetite for gourmet, artisan, halal and organic products in the region. The trade show attracts exhibitors from around the world, including a 30% increase in exhibitor participation from France this year. The show provides an opportunity for buyers to source over 2,800 ingredients rare to this region.

SEAFEX MIDDLE EAST
In its 6th edition, the importance and scale of SEAFEX Middle East remains unrivaled as a vital platform for sourcing seafood from around the world, as the region’s demand for sustainable, alternative protein sources reaches new levels. According to the Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO), countries such as the UAE consume an average of 33kg per capita a year, almost double the global average of 18kg.
SEAFEX has become a key platform for the sourcing of seafood from around the world, enabling suppliers in the region to meet a growing demand. According to Euromonitor International, the fish and seafood market is expected to reach a value of $7.3 billion by 2021.

yummex Middle East
Jointly organised by Koelnmesse GmbH, yummex ME has seen a significant rise in scale and demand since its first edition, mirroring the industry growth of confectionery and snacks across the region.
All shows are open from September 18-20 and are for trade and business professionals only. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be permitted entry. Registration will also be available at the show upon proof of trade status. One pass provides free access to all six trade shows across Dubai International Hospitality Week (DIHW).

This year’s yummex Middle East Innovation Awards 2017 will also recognise the international innovation of sweets, snacks and chocolates.
General Mills, a leader in the world’s most trusted food brands is exhibiting at this year’s yummex ME. Wissam Menkara, Regional Sales Manager at General Mills ME comments; “It is essential for us to expand our presence in the MENA region as its sweet and snack industry continues to grow ahead of global rates. yummex Middle East gives us the perfect platform to reach consumers and showcase our range of industry-leading snacks and treats.”
All shows are open between from September 18-20 and are for trade and business professionals only. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be permitted entry. Registration will also be available at the show upon proof of trade status. One pass provides free access to all six trade shows across Dubai International Hospitality Week (DIHW).

Ahmed bin Saeed opens ‘hotel show’ in Dubai
DUBAI / WAM

The leading events for the hospitality and leisure industry in the Middle East and Africa, The Hotel Show Dubai and The Leisure Show Dubai, were opened on Monday morning by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Running until September 20, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the co-located events will showcase the latest innovations set to impact the region’s growing hospitality and leisure industries, with more than 700 local and international suppliers from 44 different countries taking part.
At The Hotel Show, now in its 18th year, everything needed to build, develop or maintain a hotel or restaurant in the region will be represented, from decor to in-room technologies.
Dubai SME, the agency of Dubai Economy mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise sector, is bringing a total of 28 small and medium-sized businesses to The Hotel Show this year, representing a range of new products and services for the Middle East market covering interior design, security, hotel supplies, IT services, among others.
Saeed Matar Al Marri, Deputy CEO, Dubai SME, said, “Dubai SME is proud to bring 28 of its members to The Hotel Show, which continues to evolve as a meeting point for the global hospitality industry. The Hotel Show provides a valuable opportunity to achieve our strategic objective of providing a global window to the SME capabilities we have developed locally in sync with the phenomenal growth happening in the emirate’s hospitality sector.”
One of the most anticipated products coming to the show with Dubai SME for the first time this year is SkyRiver, a new technology set to transform the hospitality industry in the region, which allows the humidity in the air to be converted into water, producing up to 10,000 liters of pure water from thin air each day.
The Hotel Show’s new conference platform for 2017, The Middle East Hospitality Leadership Programme, will launch with a keynote speech from Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DCTCM, entitled, ‘Hospitality and Tourism Market Development: The Government Perspective’.

Continuing across the three days of the event, speakers set to take the stage represent some of the world’s leading hotel brands, including Marriott, Fairmont, Jumeirah, Movenpick, Four Seasons, Nikki Beach, and Waldorf Astoria, discussing a range of topics from ‘F&B Strategy’, to ‘Women in Leadership’.
Other features taking place throughout the event include ‘The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions’, sponsored by Restonic and Diversey, a first of its kind for the region, and a catwalk event, ‘The Runway’, showcasing the latest trends in hospitality fashions by leading designers, A. Ronai.
Running concurrently, the only event dedicated to the leisure industry in the Middle East and Africa, The Leisure Show Dubai, now in its 5th edition, provides a unique opportunity for the growing number of operators of hotels, resorts, gyms, pools, spas and other leisure facilities in the region to do business, network, and learn about current trends.
The sports and fitness sector looks set to dominate the show floor for 2017 with industry giants showcasing the latest products and innovations set to make waves in the fitness industry, from electricity-generating treadmills to the latest in virtual reality, VR, fitness.
Fitness giant and show sponsor, Johnson Health Tech, has one of the biggest stands at the event to showcase its new products, while for the growing pool and spa industry, the latest in design, maintenance and more will be represented by some of its biggest names.
Finally, The Fit Hub will be returning for 2017, providing a series of business development seminars, live demonstrations, and continued development workshops for fitness professionals. Joining The Leisure Show for the first time this year, Les Mills, the largest international provider of group fitness workouts, will be taking over an entire day of the programme to showcase the latest moves in their world-renowned classes.
The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show are taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre Halls 1-8 as part of Dubai International Hospitality Week, DIHW. The Dubai Tourism endorsed event, organised by dmg events and the DWTC, is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors.