MILAN, Italy – Fiera Milano has taken a further significant step forward in its strategy of internationalization, and has done so via a one of the flagship events that it manages directly: HostMilano.
The exhibition, world leader in the Hotel, Retail and Catering sector (Ho.Re.Ca.), has signed a collaboration agreement with Restaurants Canada, the main business association in Canada for the restaurant and foodservices industry.
According to Restaurants Canada, in 2015 the restaurant industry of the country generated 74.9 billion Canadian dollars (CAD) in sales (Euro 51.8 billion), an increase of 4.1% on 2014. It expects that 2016 will markthe twenty-fifth year of uninterrupted growth, with sales rising by 4.2% to reach CAD 78 billion (Euro 54.6 billion).
In a recent survey, 45% of its members reported an increase in their business in the first quarter of thisyear with respect to the same period of 2015.Canada has more than 94,000 restaurants and foodservice points serving more than 18 million customers every day.
Last year, restaurant patronage and eating out accounted for 38.2% of total spending on food (36.8% in 2010). The lion’s share of revenue is generated by quick-service restaurants (CAD 26.8 billion, equal to Euro 18.5 billion) and full-service restaurants (CAD 25.9 billion, equal to Euro 17.9 billion).
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Fiera Milano, observed: “The partnership between HostMilano and Restaurants Canada best exemplifies our internationalization strategy, which aims to bring Italian excellence to the world and, at the same time, bring the world to Italy.
In today’s increasingly interconnected economy, physical trade fairs are more essential than ever, but their function has been radically overhauled. No longer simply business platforms where supply meets demand, they are now key drivers for the relevant business sectors to which they must provide a full spectrum of services to sustain a real industrial policy.
HostMilano, which has always set the global benchmark for innovation and new trends in the professional hospitality sector, is one of the jewels in our crown, and this agreement is further confirmation of its standing.”
The initiative comes in the year Canada will mark a major milestone celebrating its 150th birthday, and on the wake of other similar initiatives in the United States, which, along with Canada, is a target country for Host2017.
It is the latest in a series of targeted partnerships to deepen the penetration in North America, one of the regions in the world with the greatest potential for growth – hence its inclusion as an area of focus in the Government’s Plan for the extraordinary promotion of “Made in Italy”.
The Group, which is the largest trade fair organizer in Italy and one of the largest in the world, has signed a reciprocal promotional agreement with Restaurants Canada, the leading foodservices and restaurant business association of the country, with more than 30,000 members made up of restaurants and bars, catering firms, institutions and foodservice suppliers.
“This new partnership with Host Milan is a very exciting first for Restaurants Canada and the hospitality industry,” said Shanna Munro, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada.“We’re proud to showcase Canada and our incredible culinary scene on the world stage via Host Milan, which is one of the most innovative and successful hospitality events in the world.
As the voice of foodservice in Canada, we see tremendous value in connecting buyers and sellers internationally, and opening the door to new business opportunities.
We look forward to leading trade delegations to Host Milan over the coming years to see, first hand, new innovations that will inspire and drive our industry forward, and provide new products for consumers to enjoy.”
Restaurants Canada can count on Host’s know-how gained over more than 70 years in guaranteeing excellence, and the deal will lead to increased trade with a particularly dynamic and vibrant market.
The Canadian association will ensure that HostMilano will have an important presence at the Restaurants Canada Show 2017 and at a series of other networking events and conferences.
It will also bring its expertise to bear on the profiling of the potential exhibitors, buyers and professionals visiting Host2017, which is scheduled for 20-24 October at Fieramilano (the Milan Trade Fair).
The goal is to consolidate the 40% growth at the last two editions in the number of Canadian visitors, who were particularly appreciative of the international mix of exhibitors, of whom four out of ten were from outside Italy.
The restaurant and foodservices industry accounts for 4% of the Canadian economy, which, in spite of a fall in commodity prices (one of the country’s major export items) is continuing to grow at an appetizing rate.
The Bank of Canada’s recentforecast for GDP growth in 2016 is 1.3% (by way of comparison, the growth estimate for Italy is 1.1-1.2%).
HostMilano represents and supports a number of industrial sectors that are the driving forces in Italy’s export trade.
Its strategy is to enter into partnerships that can best propel these sectors forward. With this agreement, HostMilano is not just expanding the international reach of its industries, but also enhancing the quality of their internationalization in one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world.
For more information on Host2017, go to: www.host.fieramilano.it, @HostMilano, # Host2017
