First show success sets scene for future Food, Hotel & Hospitality Arabia (FHHA) growth

Sept. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Some 2040 professionals from the Kingdom's hotel, restaurant and catering sectors attended the 3-day show, comparing and buying the very latest products and services from 105 global brands.

The show was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, Chairman, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce who toured the exhibition visiting many of the exhibitors before conducting a press conference.
Visitors attending the show included hotel buyers from the Alfa Co, Al Faisaliah, Al Khozama, Coral Olaya, Crowne Plaza, Four Seasons, Hilton Hotel, Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, Le Meridien, Marriott, Novotel and the Radisson.

Brands showing their products included: ADC-American; Blanco; Dryer Corporation; ICE o-Matic; Meiko; Moffat; Oneida; Premiere; Reemerge; Steelite International; True; Turbo Chef; Unifood; Wedgewood; Zummo with international exhibitors coming from Belgium, China, Germany, Turkey and United Kingdom.

A 2-day Meet-the-Buyer programme brought together some 36 leading Saudi Arabian buyers who participated in over 100 pre-arranged meetings with 17 different exhibiting companies.
Rachid Gacem of Night Orient (Belgium), purveyors of alcohol free wine said: ‘ A good show for us with visitors from hotels, restaurants and supermarkets from throughout the Kingdom.’
Meanwhile David Jones of Mitchell & Cooper, selling catering equipment from the UK said:‘ Good show, excellent visitor quality, helpful organisers, we have achieved our objectives and will be looking to return next year.’

Next year's FHHA (9-11 September 2012) will include the Kingdom's largest Salon Culinaire event to support the fast growing quality and experience of the country's chefs. Thomas Gugler of the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association/WACS (World Association of Chef Societies) and the Saudi National Team Coach/Executive Master Chef and Member of 15 globally recognised culinary associations said: ‘We’re looking to raise culinary standards in Saudi Arabia by training and nurturing the tremendous pool of natural talent in the country’s hotels, restaurants and catering facilities. Next year’s Salon Culinaire competitions will be an opportunity for Saudi’s young chefs to learn and compete under the guidance and scrutiny of an international panel of WACS approved and accredited judges. Register now!’

Food, Hotel & Hospitality Arabia was organised under the auspices of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Anyone looking for further details on the above or information on how to exhibit next year should contact the organisers without delay.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Saudi Arabia market information: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and tourism sector has grown more than 127% over the last decade and is forecasting another 83% growth during the next 10 years according to the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
During 2011, 48 hotels with more than 14,000 rooms valued at $7.3billion are set to open in Saudi Arabia.

KSA imports food worth $10billion annually. 200 countries import into the Kingdom 60% of its dietary requirements.

The population of Saudi Arabia is due to grow from 28 million to 50 million over the next decade.

FHHA Organiser - Alagat  Mongtomery
Alagat Montgomery is a joint venture company between Alagat Co. of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Montgomery of London, UK. Montgomery have been organising exhibitions since 1895 and currently operate in 9 countries across a multitude of sectors ranging from mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and building interiors to food & hospitality, art and the Sony World Photography Awards. The current show programme for Saudi Arabia can be found at www.alagatmontgomery.com  

For further information:
Saudi Arabia - Nawal Tamimi T +966 (0)1 460 2900 Email: nawal.tamimi@hotmail.com
Worldwide – Jonny Dearden T +44 (0)20 7886 3034 Email: jonny.dearden@montex.co.uk