Gulfood, claimed to be the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, has fully sold out four months ahead of the show, organisers said.

An unprecedented 3,800 exhibitors will participate at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from February 27 to March 2, 2011.

Gulfood with more than 1 million sq ft of exhibition space, will host participants from 150 countries. More than 80 national pavilions including new country pavilions from Armenia, Bangladesh, Hungary, Iran, Libya, Morocco, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden will take part in the show.

The GCC and neighbouring regions have become key target markets for the global food industry, and the generation of global growth from the MEASA region has been critical for many companies. Ideally positioned as the gateway between East and West, Dubai is the definitive route into these fast growing markets for a diverse range of industries, including food and all its related sectors, the organisers said.

“Dubai has emerged as the key ingredient for the global food industry. Its unrivalled trading network, infrastructure, easy accessibility and open market policy give Dubai its status as the business centre of the Middle East,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organiser of the Gulfood exhibition.

“Gulfood reflects this status, providing the food & beverage industry with a global platform for trading, networking and showcasing their products and services that is unequalled anywhere in the world.” 

Gulfood 2011 will be the biggest event in the show’s history in both size and number of exhibitors.  Together with co-located shows Ingredients Middle East and Restaurant & Café Middle East, the exhibition provides the only complete 360° showcase of the latest trends, innovations and technological developments in the industry, he said. 
Excellence in all elements of the industry will once again be recognised during Gulfood 2011.  The prestigious Emirates International Salon Culinaire, in association with the Emirates Culinary Guild, continues to attract more than 1,300 chefs to compete in front of a panel of 25 distinguished international judges, while the high profile Gulfood Awards will once again recognise the achievements and innovations across 19 categories of the region’s food and drink industry.

Following its inaugural success this year, the Baking & Pastry Guild Competition finals will take place during Gulfood 2011, showcasing the bread and pastry making prowess of regional and international talent alongside live seminars during the four day show.

Gulfood is strictly a trade-only event and is open to business and trade visitors from within the industry only. Complimentary registration is available in advance online. Industry business professionals on the day of the show will be able to buy either a Day Pass for Dh75, or a four-day pass for Dh150.  – TradeArabia News Service