The largest business event for Asia’s food and hospitality industries will be 23 per cent bigger in space in its 40th year. Seventy countries will be participating in the event this time.
The gala international food and hospitality event in the region, Food & Hotel Asia (FHA), will return to Singapore from 24 to 27 April 2018. The biennial trade fair will take place at Singapore Expo and Suntec Singapore.
The exhibition will house its biggest-ever industry congregation with 4,000 international exhibitors from more than 70 countries, registering an increase of over 800 exhibitors, or 25 per cent, compared to its last edition. The event’s floor area spans 119,500 sqm, a 23 per cent increase from 97,000 sqm.
As many as 68 international groups are confirmed, with Armenia and Qatar being the newest countries to participate. Some international group pavilions will also see members from 22 international trade associations and government agencies participating in FHA for the first time.
“FHA’s growth reflects the changing landscapes of the F&B and hospitality industries in Singapore and the region over the decades,” said Rodolphe Lameyse, project director, Food & Hospitality, UBM SES.
FHA first began as Food Asia and Hotel Asia in a hotel car park in April 1978. Recognising the industry’s need to adjust along a changing economic landscape, specialised exhibitions were gradually introduced to enable international companies to extend their businesses to serve new vertical sectors.
In 2000, FHA relocated to the Singapore Expo, occupying six halls. In 2014, FHA, with six specialised exhibitions–Food Asia, Hotel Asia, Bakery & Pastry, Hospitality Style Asia, Hospitality Technology and Speciality Coffee & Tea, occupied all 10 halls of the Singapore Expo.
Year 2018 marks another milestone in FHA’s history, as the event expands to a second venue at Suntec Singapore.
Margaret Heng, executive director of the Singapore Hotel Association, said, “FHA’s growth over the years with the inclusion of new features reflects the evolution of Singapore’s hospitality industry.”
“The Singapore Chefs Association’s support for FHA over the four decades encompasses not only the depth but breadth of an indispensable and necessary collaboration. And we are confident that this support will be cemented further in our common vision for the food and hospitability industries,” said Edmund Toh, President, Singapore Chefs Association. As many as 78,000 trade attendees from over 100 countries and regions are expected at the 2018 edition. The FHA Culinary Challenge (FCC) adds to the experience at FHA, with intense competitions designed to showcase the best culinary talent from the region. The FHA2018 International Conference, held across two venues from 24 to 26 April, will feature industry experts and business thought-leaders sharing perspectives, tips and strategies across 10 tracks.
