Image courtesy of HostMilano
 
From October 20-24, Milan, Italy was the host of one of the most impressive trade shows and exhibitions on the planet. The 40th edition of HostMilano featured visitors from 177 countries experiencing the best of the hospitality industry.

Over 2,100 exhibitors for a total of 843 companies from 51 countries, as well as over 1,300 Italian exhibitors, were present on the show floor. Attendees included over 1,500 hosted buyers with specifically chosen profiles from all over the world.

The show focused on today’s hot topics: training and apprenticeships, competition between top professionals on an international level, process and layout sustainability and format innovation. Demonstrations and events held by today’s top chefs, as well as the extraordinary creations crafted by pastry chefs and cake designers and performances by the most talented baristas and bartenders, all combined to provide a multi-sensory experience for visitors.

“Host is a success story that is almost unique in the international world of exhibitions and events,” says Fabrizio Curci, CEO and Director General of Fiera Milano Spa. “With an increment of 24.3% in the number of professional visitors, Host confirms its status as a true world hub of the hospitality macro-sector, the place where its chains meet to mould the trends of tomorrow and to do business and networking. In particular, the flows of foreign visitors are growing in double figures, reaching an increment of 20.4%: decision-makers and buyers are also arriving from countries that are further away, eager not to miss the event.”

Over 500 events took place during the five-day trade show. Most notable of these was the FIPGC World Pastry Making Championships. This year, in front of a stadium-style crowd, Italy claimed victory over 20 teams from all over the world, including China (second place) and Japan (third place).

The next edition of HostMilano will take place in fieramilano on October 18-22, 2019.