HAMBURG, Germany – INTERNORGA has come to a successful close, confirming its position as the leading trade show and most important industry meeting point for the whole of the catering and food service market.
The mood was upbeat throughout the six days of the show, for exhibitors and visitors alike. It was all about trends, innovations, expert discussions and new business leads.
The innovative strength of the event was particularly good this year, with market leaders and small creative companies bringing a whole host of product innovations to INTERNORGA, for presentation to the trade. This mix of large as well as small companies was an essential element of the fair, ensuring a complete market overview.
The fair site was completely booked again for INTERNORGA 2014, with presentations by more than 1,200 exhibitors from 27 nations, and with about 95,000 trade visitors.
The number of international visitors was up (7%, versus 4% in 2013). An increase in visitors from the bakery sector was particularly pleasing for exhibitors in the halls dedicated to baking and confectionery.
“We are delighted with this year’s INTERNORGA,” said Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC).
“The atmosphere was very cheerful. It was evident that the industry is moving forward, and that there is a lot happening in the food service and catering market. Exhibitors were particularly pleased with the high quality of trade visitors, with a level of expertise unmatched by any other fair. We are especially happy about that, as we put great value on the professionalism of our visitors. Hamburg is a European hotspot for innovative food service and hotel concepts, and that has proved a major bonus. There were numerous side events throughout INTERNORGA for our exhibitors and visitors, providing a well-rounded concept.”
Extensive and successful supporting programme
The varied supporting programme also met with a very good response.
The Trendforum Pink Cube was well attended for all presentations, and the LiquID Bar was an outstanding platform for generating new business leads.
The WINE World was a new attraction, with 20 vintners from all parts of the world.
It was well attended, and produced excellent results. Another highlight was the SKYWALK Table on the glass bridge connecting the two parts of the site; it featured tableware, glassware, cutlery and table linen mainly in white, red and green, encouraging people to visit the stands of exhibitors who contributed to it.
The Saturday of the fair was livened up by the Wildbakers in the baking hall, who created quite a stir with their innovative baking ideas, presenting an exciting show.
The battle for the title of European Pizza Champion, “Giropizza d’Europa”, was held on the Monday, with the 40 top pizza champions from the whole of Europe competing. And this year’s conferences once again put on a strong programme, with highlights including speakers such as Oliver Kahn, star chef Nelson Müller and Tim Mälzer at the International Foodservice Forum, the German Institutional Catering Conference, and the INTERNORGA Forum on School Catering. Positive overall impression confirmed by the figures
The results of a representative visitor survey confirm the positive mood among trade visitors, with 90% rating the show as good or very good, and saying they would recommend it to others.
Next INTERNORGA fair will take place from 13 to 18 March 2015.
