Industry Commitment Powers FHA2004's Homecoming

With less than a few months away, the countdown to FHA2004 (Food&HotelAsia2004) has begun, with market leaders looking forward to another successful showing and making a strong impact at Asia's biennial mega food and hospitality event to be held at the Singapore Expo from April 20 to 23, 2004.

Strong international representation at FHA2004

More than 40 group pavilions from countries all around the world are expected to participate at the event, many of which promise larger showings.

The Korean Pavilion has recorded a 40 per cent increase in size, while the Canadian Pavilion is set to be more than double its exhibition space compared to their respective showings in 2002.

Canada's support and commitment to Asia's largest premier food and hospitality show is evident. To date, the Canadian Pavilion has already registered close to 80 per cent increase in size.

According to Gordon Richardson, regional counsellor of the Canadian High Commission, the enlarged showing by the Canadian Pavilion attests to the high rate of success enjoyed by Canadian exhibitors in previous editions of FHA. "FHA has always offered Canadian exhibitors a great opportunity to showcase and promote Canadian products to Asia. FHA2004 will be no exception. It will provide them with direct exposure to interested buyers in Asia," said Richardson.

Strong support from Korean and Canadian companies is representative of the overall confidence level that FHA's established track record of success and year-on-year growth has cultivated among the global food and hospitality sector, according to Ben Wong, project director (lifestyle events) of organiser Singapore Exhibition Services.

"The build up to FHA2004 is progressing well on track despite the regional economic challenges at present. In fact, many exhibitors have already committed their participation with even larger showings well ahead in the show schedule," said Wong.

FHA2002 attracted 33,141 international buyers from 92 countries, including 37 buyer delegations.

FoodAsia2004

With the growing food market and consistently rising statistics of consumer expenditure on food in the Asia Pacific, FoodAsia2004 is well-placed to provide comprehensive market exposure to the latest food products in Asia.

Showcasing the latest and most innovative food products around the world, this event incorporates beverages as well as wine and spirits. It simultaneously shapes Asian culinary trends by bringing together chefs, trade professionals and retailers in the food business.

Prominent companies in the food and beverage industry - including Angliss Singapore, Ben Foods, Boncafe International, San Pellegrino, and the Singapore Food Industries - have come forth to participate at the event.

HotelAsia2004

Serving up a wide array of hospitality-related services and products ranging from catering to packaging equipment and storage systems, HotelAsia is poised to serve as a channel for the industry's top manufacturers and suppliers to meet major buyers amidst Asia's steadfast growth in the hospitality sector. Adrian Chew, regional manager of ALI Group Foodservice Equipment, sees FHA2004 as a fitting event for the company to build and maintain strong relationships with the foodservice industry in Asia.

Market leaders in the hospitality industry who will be on the show floor to cater to the wide-ranging needs of hospitality-related industries include Convotherm, Henny Penny and Shin Jin.