MILAN, Italy – HostMilano has recently received an important acknowledgement from the United States. In fact, the Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce has once again renewed certification for the country’s official participation in the show – this time for the 2017 edition, to take place in fieramilano in Rho from Friday 20 October to Tuesday 24 October.
This is a particularly prestigious acknowledgment because it is given to a limited number of international shows that, based on strict parameters, show they can “successfully offer opportunities to explore new markets” for American professionals. Presently, HostMilano is the only show in the industry to have obtained certification in Italy.
“The reconfirmation of certification for Host2017 – says Robert Peaslee, the U.S. Commercial Consul in Milan – further strengthens the collaborative relationship between Fiera Milano and the Commercial Office of the U.S. Consulate. The mission of the U.S. Commercial Service is to support American businesses in creating and developing quality international relationships. With partners like HostMilano, we are certain that American companies will have the opportunity to further strengthen their presence in Italy and abroad. Thanks to its leadership in the world, HostMilano is the perfect place for helping our professional hospitality companies make the most of their creativity and innovation, in addition to networking at the highest levels. In 2015, we already saw an increase of more than 20% in the number of American exhibitors, and we are certain that, thanks to this certification, Host 2017 will be even more successful.”
HostMilano’s strategy of constantly increasing the international nature of the show turns the focus each time – based on continuous monitoring of economic dynamics – to the areas of the world where it seems most effective to target investment and activities aimed at increasing the flow of exhibitors and buyers. This in addition to visibility agreements with the media and industry associations. Currently, there’s a particular focus on North America – the United States and Canada – and the Persian Gulf countries, specifically, the United Arab Emirates.
“Obtaining this prestigious acknowledgement, which is reserved for shows that can generate business that is truly international, for the second consecutive edition – says Corrado Peraboni, CEO Fiera Milano, echoing the words of Mr. Peaslee – confirms how much HostMilano has been able to become a ‘foreign-to-foreign’ business hub over the years, appreciated by exhibitors from all over the world for its ability to grant access to markets on all continents. The importance of this government endorsement, which is widely recognized by the American business community, serves as a driver that goes beyond the community, involving buyers and visitors as well. It is an unparalleled opportunity for Italian industry, which is a worldwide leader in many of the sectors represented at the show, to increase its penetration into the American market, which is the largest and most dynamic in the world. The collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service has thus established a benchmark in our strategy for the most targeted international areas.”
In 2015, American exhibitors increased 20% compared to the previous event. In 2017, the United States is also to be the host country and many American companies are to take part, including key players like Alto-Shaam Inc., Amerex Corporation, Bunn-O-Matic Corporation, Cambro Manufacturing Company, Curtis, Espresso Supply, Inc., Fetco, Follett Corporation, GET Enterprises Llc, Greenfield World Trade, Inc., Hatco Corporation, Howe Precision Industrial Inc., Loring Smart Roast, Inc., Modern Process Equipment Corporation, Motion Technology, Inc., T&S Brass and Bronze Works, Taylor Company, Tomlinson Industries, Turbo Air, Urnex Brands Llc, Waring Commercial and Wood Stone Corporation.
According to estimates by the National Restaurant Association, this year, the economic impact of restaurant sales will reach 782.7 billion dollars, which is 4% of the GDP. There are more than one million restaurant locations, with average turnover of almost a million dollars (966,000) in full-service restaurants and more than 830,00 (834,000) in quick-service outlets. These restaurants are characterized by a high level of productivity, at about 80,000 dollars (76,777) per employee. Today, the restaurant industry represents 47% of overall food spending for the average American. In terms of trends, 80% of consumers say they dine on international food at least once a month, 70% say they order healthier foods than in the past and 66% eat a wider variety of ethnic foods compared to a few years ago.
In 2015, the industry association ANIMA-Assofoodtec calculated that the Italian industry for technology and equipment for food products resulted in a production value of 5,127 million euros (+2.1% on 2014) with exports worth 3,396 million, more than two-thirds of the total (+2.5%). For the current year, the association foresees a further increase of 1.4% in terms of production value and a 1.8% increase for exports. Some of the areas most attractive to the American market include coffee machines and machines and ovens for making bread.
For its part, the Fondazione Edison points out that our country is first in the world (ahead of Germany) in exports of professional equipment for hot food and beverages (994.8 million dollars in value, with a positive balance of 935.2 million) while commercial refrigeration is third in value (with 3,087.4 million dollars) and fourth in terms of trade balance (+2,217.1 million).
Fur further information on Host2017: www.host.fieramilano.it, @HostMilano, #Host2017
