A Nestle Sjora mural was a key feature at the Nestle booth during Food&HotelAsia 2018.

Food&HotelAsia (FHA), the largest biennial trade show in the region for food and hospitality, will be split into two separate shows starting in 2020. FHA-HoReCa will take place in early March, and FHA-Food & Beverage will follow at the end of March.

This cake was on display at the Qingdao Kesong Food Company (KFI) booth. KFI specializes in non-dairy whip topping.

This change was revealed during the FHA launch event. Jimé Essink, President and CEO of UBM Asia, expressed excitement for this shift, stating it will enable better service to industry subsegments and facilitate greater collaboration and new business opportunities. He believes it will result in a more tailored and impactful experience for all participants.

This iteration of FHA aims to tackle two major trends: technology integration that has fostered industry-wide innovation and impacted consumer behavior, and evolving preferences driven by rising incomes and a focus on healthier eating. FHA-HoReCa will showcase cutting-edge advancements in hospitality technology, style, and best practices for hotels and the food service industry. FHA-Food & Beverage will cater to the health-conscious consumer by highlighting food ingredients, drinks, and fresh produce, encouraging trade throughout Asia and internationally.

The two shows, although distinct in their focus and offerings, will share the objective of promoting business growth. By dividing the existing show, exhibitors and attendees will have more targeted opportunities for engagement and access to resources that can drive innovation.

These shows are designed to deliver an improved and customized experience, addressing the evolving needs within the food and hospitality sectors. Expanding the shows allows exhibitors to maximize their impact.

With a 40-year legacy, FHA has become the leading authority and trendsetter for the food and hospitality industry in Asia and beyond. Beginning in a car park in 1978, FHA grew to occupy a single hall at the World Trade Centre** in Singapore during the 1980s, expanding to six halls by 1992. Moving to the Singapore Expo in 2000, the show became the first event in Singapore to use the entire venue, occupying all ten halls by 2014.

FHA has adapted to changing consumer preferences, introducing specialized offerings such as Bakery&Pastry, SpecialityCoffee&Tea, and ProWine Asia. The 2018 event broke records, hosting 3,500 exhibitors from 76 countries and regions, including 71 international pavilions. It is expected to attract 78,000 attendees from over 100 countries and regions.

A poster at the Monde Nissin booth.

Rodolphe Lameyse, Project Director of Food & Hospitality at UBM, highlighted the continued growth of the Asia Pacific food and hospitality industry and emphasized FHA’s role as a driving force. He stressed the importance of the expansion, believing it to be essential in addressing rapid industry changes and providing the necessary support for ongoing growth.

Andrew Phua, Director of Exhibitions & Conferences at the Singapore Tourism Board, expressed support for events that establish Singapore as a leading MICE hub. He commended FHA’s evolution in meeting industry needs and solidifying its place as a key platform for innovation within the Asian food and hospitality industries. The Singapore Tourism Board plans to continue its collaboration with UBM to ensure the ongoing success of both shows.

Photo highlights from Food&HotelAsia include:

Equal Strategy, a company specializing in custom-designed music and scents for brands.

World Cup dirty buns were decorated with edible flags. Attendees observed a demonstration of the decorating process for these messy treats.

Myanmar coffee was served at the Myanmar Restaurant Association booth.

A large Cheffaro tom yam paste package was a prominent feature at the Cheffaro booth.

Event Information:

FHA-HoReCa will be held from March 3-6, 2020, and FHA-Food & Beverage will run from March 31 to April 3, 2020.

Hashtag: #FHA2018

*The term “HoReCa” represents the food service industry, encompassing hotels, restaurants, and cafes.

**The World Trade Centre has been replaced by the Vivocity mall.