News From : DagangHalal.com (26 Jan 2010)
WAM Dubai, Jan 25th, 2010 (WAM) — In an industry as fast-paced and competitive as the food and beverage sector, knowledge exchange and keeping abreast of market trends is critical.
And in response to overwhelming demand, Gulfood , the region’s largest trade exhibition for food, drink, food service and hospitality equipment, is launching the inaugural Gulfood Conference during this year’s exhibition.
The Conference, titled ‘Global Trends in Food, Beverage and Processing’, will run alongside Gulfood, which takes place from 21 – 24 February 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).
The four-day conference and knowledge exchange forum will offer delegates unprecedented access to the experts, analysts and visionaries who are shaping the business and developing the marketing strategies that will lead food, beverage and hospitality businesses into the next decade.
“In addition to being the most important trade exhibition in the region for the food, beverage and hospitality industry which showcases the latest products, services and technological breakthroughs, the Gulfood Conference has enormous value for companies who want to meet and learn from the experts, business leaders and the market analysts,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organiser of Gulfood.
The intensive, information-packed agenda will cover topical issues facing all sectors of the industry, including global trends in foods, regulatory legislation, globalisation, regional expansion opportunities, sustainability, flavours and consumer behaviours, scientific advances in food technology and innovations in packaging.
Keynote speaker Saed Al Awadi, CEO of Dubai Export Development Corporation, will open the conference and highlight Dubai’s credentials and the business opportunities that are abound in the region.
“Dubai has a proven track record as an international manufacturing, services and trading hub – especially in the food and beverage sector where companies from the emirate export to over 130 countries,” said Mr. Al Awadi. “We are delighted to be able to assist companies looking to enter new and exciting export markets and capitalise upon Dubai’s infrastructure advantages to capture regional business.” Estimated to be worth more than US$ 650 billion by 2010 by the World Halal Forum, the global halal food industry is a major business. Alex Andarakis, CEO of Al Islami Foods, pioneers and leaders in the GCC’s processed halal food market, will provide a detailed overview of the global halal landscape, the responsibilities and opportunities for companies operating in this domain and will also outline a practical roadmap for realising revenue in this rapidly expanding market.
With practical case study experience and step-by-step advice on cost reduction, process management and profit generation, the Gulfood Conference has been designed to provide industry professionals with precisely the information they require to steer their businesses through unsettled or even uncharted territory.
WAM/ES/AM