GULFOOD CONFERENCES PRESENT KEY TRENDS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST’S BURGEONING F&B INDUSTRY

- Global Food Leaders Summit, Food Packaging & Processing Forum and Franchising Workshop Provide Essential Insights for Business Success in the Region

As global trends and developments continue to drive consumer demand across the food, beverage and hospitality sectors, it has become essential for regional food professionals and entrepreneurs to stay updated. Offering unrivalled access to the latest information and global expertise, the Gulfood 2013 Conferences will bring more than 50 of the world’s experts, food specialists and business leaders from all sectors of the F&B industry to Dubai this month.

H E Sheikha Lubna at the Gulfood Global Food Leaders Summit last year

Taking place from 25 – 28 February 2013 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, alongside Gulfood – the world’s largest annual trade show for the food and hospitality industry - the Gulfood Conferences incorporate four key summits: Global Food Leaders’ Summit; Food Packaging & Processing Forum; Food Inspection Conference and the Franchising Workshop.

Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President for Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of Gulfood said: “With Gulfood being an important trading platform for F&B professionals from around the world, it is important for us to ensure the show is a source of education and learning for visitors. Gulfood conferences will address the very latest trends, critical issues and opportunities impacting various sectors of the industry through panel discussions, presentations, interactive workshops and case studies.”

Bringing together senior executives from some of the world’s leading food and drink companies, the Global Food Leaders’ Summit running on 25 February will address those key issues and commercial drivers that impact strategic decision-making. Commencing with a panel discussion on factors shaping the future of the food industry, the summit will also include keynote presentations on the role of the private sector in food security, food consumption and sustainability and, the implications of being a big business.

Keynote speaker at the Global Food Leaders’ Summit, Vishal Tikku, Middle East Managing Director of Mondelēz International (formerly Kraft Foods), said: “In a world where trends in food consumption are shifting, populations are growing, and resources are finite, we as a snack powerhouse need to ensure sustenance in our products and fight shortages, both now and in the future. This cannot be achieved without the co-operation, transparency and active participation of all stakeholders. Gulfood provides the industry with an exciting platform to help organisations and key decision makers come together and share the latest strategies and challenges, to sustain and build market growth and provide continuity and confidence in the supply chain.”

Addressing one of the fastest growing segments in the food industry supply chain, the Food Processing and Packaging Forum, running on 26 February 2013, will outline the very latest trends across the sector. A series of panel discussions involving business leaders from global players will address pressing issues such as balancing quality and quantity in food processing, the role of packaging specialists in tackling food waste and, cost management through strategic planning and sourcing. The forum will also include keynote presentations on a broad range of important issues. These include Innovation – Succeeding in a Competitive Market; Designing Cost Efficient Factories and Sustainable Business Growth through Strategic Innovation.

Building on the success of the inaugural Food Franchising Workshop last year, the conference will once again host food-biz veterans on 27 February to provide insights on the A-Z of franchising. Facilitated by Kit Brinkley, Director of the World Franchising Association, the Franchising Workshop will offer participants invaluable advice on franchise investing, the role of supply chains in a franchise business and, hidden elements of a franchise agreement. Senior executives from franchisees of popular establishments including Ruby Tuesdays and Pascal Tepper will share case studies to highlight the essentials of successful franchise alliances.

“The conference programme is a key feature of Gulfood and every year, we try to enhance this offering by bringing the very best calibre of speakers to provide regional professionals with access to content that is shaping the global F&B landscape,” added Loh.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. Gulfood is open 11am-7pm from February 25-27 and 11am -5pm on February 28. The online entry fee is AED 125 and onsite entry fee is AED 250. The registration fee for the Global Food Leaders’ Summit is AED 795 and AED 995 each for the Food Packaging & Processing Forum, Food Inspection Conference and Franchising Workshop. Access to the show is free for conference delegates. For more information on Gulfood Conferences, please visit www.gulfood.com/conferences.