SIAL Shanghai proves to be a big hit, with bustling halls over three days

PUBLISHING DATE
May 25, 2023

SIAL Shanghai this year proved to be a great success, with vast numbers of exhibitors and visitors participating in one of the biggest food industry events in China this year

Held from May 18 to 20 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, SIAL Shanghai showcased the best that the Chinese and global food industries have to offer across 180,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Around 4,500 exhibitors took part and the forecasts before the event were that about 150,000 professionals would be in attendance.

This year’s gathering marks 23 years since the SIAL brand was introduced to China, and over time SIAL Shanghai has grown to become Asia’s largest food and beverage show.

There was intensive preparation ahead of the opening with exhibitors going to great lengths to paint and decorate their stands so that they were in perfect condition.

The gathering lived up to the pre-event billing, with busy exhibition stands, countless business meetings and special Buyers Tours helping to ensure that a great deal of business was done over the three days.

As expected for one of the highlights of the food calendar in China, the event attracted many dignitaries, who enjoyed tours of the many exhibition halls.

SIAL Shanghai proves to be a big hit, with bustling halls over three days

There were also speeches by important figures from the food industry representing organisations such as the China Cuisine Association, among many others.

Visitors had opportunities to try out foods of many different types on the exhibition stands, while there was also a packed diary of talks.

The Match Me Lounge was an area where like-minded attendees were able to get together and look at ways in which they could collaborate.

There were numerous signing ceremonies during the event, cementing relationships that are set to pay dividends in the months and years to come.

In keeping with its role as a showcase for the best that the Chinese and international food and cuisine sectors have to offer, SIAL Shanghai also hosted many competitions and awards.

International exhibitor areas featured nations from across the globe, among them Italy and Ireland, while Hong Kong was represented too.

SIAL Shanghai proves to be a big hit, with bustling halls over three days
Credit: Hanny Naibaho

On top of the many regional pavilions, SIAL Shanghai this year included eight Highlight Sectors, including the Babyfood Village, the Food Sector, the Non-alcoholic Beverage Sector and the Alcoholic Beverage Sector.

While SIAL Shanghai was an event where exhibitors and visitors did plenty of business, there was also time for fun, with characters in fancy dress often popping up in the exhibition halls, giving visitors the opportunity to grab selfies with them.

At the same time as SIAL Shanghai, the SIAL Global Food Industry Summit took place with nine sub-forums, among them the Food Supply Chain Forum, the Import Food Summit, the F&B Investment Forum, the International Meat Forum, the Food-Tech Innovation Forum and the F&B Distributor Forum.

The summit also included the Global New Retail Forum, the International Drink Forum and the China Catering Forum.

While SIAL Shanghai is over for another year, preparations are going on apace for SIAL Shenzhen, which will take place at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center from August 28 to 30.

Featuring 35,000 square metres of exhibition space, it is set to attract more than 30,000 professionals from across China and the world.

There will be three Highlight Villages at SIAL Shenzhen, the Chinese Food and Beverage Village, the International Food and Beverage and the International Meat Village.

The SIAL Global Food Industry Summit, featuring five sub-forums (Global New Retail Forum, Food Supply Chain Forum, Import Food Forum, International Drink Forum and Food-Tech Innovation Forum) will take place simultaneously with SIAL Shenzhen.

Other annual shows under the SIAL name, which is a private brand of Compexposium Group, the fifth-largest exhibition organiser in the world, are held in Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Las Vegas, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.


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