“It is not what you know, but who you know,” this English Proverb stands true, especially in going to exhibitions. It gives many opportunities to connect and allow you to meet like-minded people and increase your contacts.
It is the same with HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, café) exhibitions. One of the most visited HoReCa Exhibitions in terms of hospitality trade shows is The New York Times Travel Show, where it draws in around 30,000 attendees with 560 exhibitions on one roof.
The New York Times Travel Show is only one of the many most visited HoReCa Exhibitions. Read on to find out more about hotels, restaurants, and café trade shows around the world.
Hotel Exhibitions
Hotel exhibitions or hospitality events showcase top hotel and vacation rental leaders, recent trends, and opportunities to learn more about the industry. Check out the top three most visited hotel exhibitions in the world.
The New York Times Travel Show
With its 30,000 attendees with more than 545 exhibitors all on one roof, The New York Times Travel Show ranks number one in the Hospitality Exhibition. Based on its 2017 data, it captured 40,000 leads with over 560 exhibitors from 170 countries.
These exhibitors reported that they were able to create consumer traveler sales of approximately USD 7.4 million on the site itself or shortly after that. There are also more than 1,000 accredited media journalists worldwide to brush elbows with.
IMEX America
If you are also into speakers, aside from the usual networking and exhibitions, IMEX America is your choice. This trade show is known for its speakers with over 180 educational events that are happening during the course of three days.
It has eight segments that cater to what you want.
- Campfires – Audience can interact with the speakers
- Hot-Topic Tables – Moderated round table discussions
- Expert Clinics – In-depth sessions with the speakers
- Play Room – Audience can interact and use a technology
- Seminars
- White Space – Network with other attendees and speakers
- Live Zone – Live event entertainment
ITB Berlin
ITB Berlin happens every year around March in Berlin, Germany. It has over 10,000 exhibitors that you can connect to from more than 180 countries. According to its data, they have a very high exhibitor satisfaction of more than 90%.
With the target of 110,000 attendees, this five-day event is enormous. Aside from the exhibitions, it also has several segments such as:
- Travel Technology
- Leisure to Business Travel
- Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions
- LGBT and Youth
- Adventure Travel
- Responsible Tourism
Restaurant and Cafe Exhibitions
Restaurant exhibitions can give you a chance to get more information about franchises, interact with new technologies, and best of all, taste the food. This is the same with Café trade shows. Take note that Café in HoReCa can also mean Catering. Check out the most visited restaurant and café exhibitions in the world.
HOTELEX Shanghai
HOTELEX Shanghai gathers more than 140,000 attendees, 2,500 exhibitors, and 5,000+ abroad purchasers worldwide. Located in Shanghai, China, it has over 26 years of history.
It covers a wide variety of restaurant needs such as:
- Catering Equipment Supplies
- Food and Beverage
- Tableware
- Bakery and Ice Cream
- Coffee and Tea
- Wine and Spirits
Anuga
One of the leading global trade fairs in the food and beverage industry is Anuga. The exhibition is located in Cologne, Germany, and gathers around 165,000 attendees with 7,500 exhibitors.
Aside from the vast number of people you can connect with, Anuga also has a great line-up regarding conferences as it always invites thought-leading speakers.
EquipHotel Paris
EquipHotel Paris not only focuses on Hotel Exhibitions but also on restaurant and café trade shows. It is a complete HoReCa experience located in Paris, France. It has more than 105,000 attendees with 1,600 exhibitors.
You can get to network with restaurateurs, hoteliers, designers, architects, and consulting firms. This exhibition also boasts of having the full support of all professional trade associations.
Internorga
Internorga is an HoReCa Exhibition in Hamburg, Germany, with 93 years of history. It has 93,000 local and international attendees ready to learn more about the industry’s latest trends.
This exhibition also mixes high-end educational content that you can learn from.
SIAL Paris
SIAL Paris is one of the biggest food shows in Europe, with more than 155,700 attendees and 7,000 exhibitors. You can discover products from all over the world, the latest trends, most recent technology, and workshops that will help you boost your knowledge about the industry.
You can fully immerse yourself in the exhibition’s conferences, web-TV, and animations to get an unforgettable experience.
National Restaurant Association Show
National Restaurant Association is an annual event in Chicago. It is bringing in 43,000 attendees with over 1,700 exhibitors. This exhibit also caters to HoReCas and brings together owners and managers of hotels and restaurants, dealers and suppliers, motel and food service operators.
Along with networking, you can also learn from the experts when it comes to hotel and restaurant management.
Express Food & Hospitality Hyderabad
Express Food & Hospitality Hyderabad is an exhibition in Mumbai, India. It brings in 20,000 visitors with 500 exhibitors. It focuses on B2B (business to business) to create bigger opportunities and businesses for India’s companies.
Participating countries include:
- Canada
- Italy
- India
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Singapore
- Australia
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Thailand
Horeca Expo Trade Fair
Horeca Expo Trade Fair is one of the largest exhibitions in Gent, Belgium. It has more than 52,000 visitors and over 680 exhibitors. This expo is running for more than 30 years now and unites all Belgian hotel and catering sectors.
Besides the regular exhibitions, you can also enjoy the culinary competition between young chefs, immerse in workshops with the best baristas and tea experts, demonstration of chefs, and so on.
Expect also to see these sectors:
- Snack & Fast-Food
- Kitchen Hardware
- Food & Non-Food
- Fresh & Authentic
- Coffee, Tea, & Sweets
- Cafe World & Nightlife
- Interior & Technology
- Chef’s Place & Wine Village
Hostelco and Restaurama
Hostelco and Restaurama is an exhibition that focuses on the HoReCa industry’s latest trends in Barcelona, Spain. It has more than 25,200 attendees with over 360 exhibitors. Expect to meet Hostelco hunters and experts in hospitality equipment, hotels, and restaurants to keep you updated about the latest in the industry.
The program of the exhibition will include:
- Show cookings
- Demonstrations
- Tastings
- Competitions
- Presentations
INTERGRASTA
Intergrasta happens in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany in Europe. It brings in 100,000 attendees with 1,400 exhibitors—a modern exhibition with an essential focus on innovation that mixes animations and engaging workshops.
Alimentaria
Alimentaria is an international gathering in Barcelona, Spain. It has 101,000 attendees with 1,400 exhibitionists and a global fair for professionals in the Food & Beverage business and food service industry.
Here are the segments:
- Gastronomy
- Internationalism
- Innovation
- Sector Specialization
- Internationalization
Conclusion
HoReCa exhibitions are usually intertwined together, and you may find all three in one event. Joining one can let you understand the ebb and flow of your industry. You will get to know the trends and incoming technology and at the same time help you further your reach by gathering connections.
The most visited HoReCa Exhibitions usually have the most number of exhibitors. And aside from this number, you must also take note of the quality of the event. You are not only there to network but also to learn more about your industry.
