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Global Banquet
Competitive food merchants know that taking part in a leading marketing and trade event would lead them to success.  It is why participation rate at the HKTDC Food Expo rose by 25% in 2012 than in 2011, with more than 1,100 exhibitors joining this successful food trade event.
Increased number of exhibitors enhances the traffic of visitors: buyer numbers rocketed by 30% during the three days in which the Trade Hall was open.
For all tastes
The fair is designed to meet the needs of different participants by dividing into two main sections: the Trade Hall and the Public Hall.
Trading time
The Trade Hall is the place for international food retailers, suppliers, wholesalers, agencies and brokers to connect with trade buyers for valuable business opportunities. The Trade Hall is covered by group pavilions, with the 2012 event featuring pavilions from Brunei, Iran, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines and the US. The Chinese mainland was well represented, with new participations from Hubei, Hunan, Jilin and Shandong provinces.
Public exposure
The Food Expo 2012 attracted more than 390,000 visitors to the Public Hall, and it became a tremendous boast to the participating companies. These companies successfully increased their exposure, promoted greater brand awareness, and received immediate feedbacks on their latest food products.
The Premium Food Zone was a special highlight in the Public Hall, in which over 30 premium exhibitors promoted their branded food and beverage products and displayed their specialties.
Exclusive flavours at Gourmet Zone
One of the special highlights of the expo is the Gourmet Zone. This section is for luxury food items and it features the best of cuisines from various countries and regions. During the 2012 event, this zone included more than 70 exhibitors under four themes. Special events ensured a strong visitor traffic through this section.
Great appetisers
The expo is packed with activities catered to both trade visitors and members of the public. Through interactive and educational cooking demonstrations by star chefs, the public learns the ways how food can be enjoyed. They can also take part in discussions with well-known food critics, games and lucky draws, while trade participants can find out more about the latest topical issues in seminars delivered by industry experts.
Side plates
There is plenty of opportunity for business expansion in related areas through the concurrent fairs – the HKTDC Hong Kong International Tea Fair and International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM).
“Comments from Exhibitors and Buyers”
Exhibitors' comments
“Our company is keen to expand into new markets especially the Chinese mainland. Today we have already met some representatives of local chain-stores and wholesalers! The business matching service provided by HKTDC also allowed us to get to know more potential clients through networking, which is good in pairing up with new clients.”
John Dmytriw, Director of Sales, AvoTerra Avocados by Index Fresh, United States
“This is our first time at this expo and we found it to be a good opportunity to present our Australian gourmet foods, which have never been exported overseas, to a wide range of Asian customers, especially the potential buyers from the Chinese mainland. The response has been great so far with interested parties coming from wholesalers and representatives of local restaurants who are looking for fresh gourmet foods.”
Tara Riches, Trade Development Manager, Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy & Fine Food of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Australia
“We have been here a couple of times because this event is an excellent platform to meet global buyers and to promote our products. Highlight of this year is our instant ramen which is being sold all around the world, mainly in Japan, the Chinese mainland, Australia and the US. With Japan and the US being our strongest export markets, we are now looking for overseas buyers from new markets, so far the feedback is very positive.”
Hyungnam Kim, Representative of Overseas Business Division, Ottogi Corporation, Korea
Buyers' comments
“We return to the Food Expo annually because it is an ideal place to get myself updated with the latest market information, including new products and their pricing options. This exhibition is fantastic in many ways. Most importantly, it allows me to make valuable contacts with potential business partners in one place while looking for high-calibre seafood suppliers coming from all over the world.”
Thomas Lee, President, Moon Enterprises Inc., Canada
“Our company is a fine food importer based in Mumbai, representing more than 60 quality brands from Europe, the US, Mexico, Thailand and Japan. We come to this expo to look for high quality suppliers of Chinese ingredients, such as seasoning sauce and vinegar, because Indian-adapted Chinese cuisine is popular in India. This expo is really impressive because of its magnitude and variety. Exhibitors from various regions are conveniently located in the same hall.”
Anil Chandhok, Director, Chenab Impex PVT. Ltd., India
 
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