The premier exhibition focusing exclusively on ingredients and raw materials for the nutraceutical, dietary supplement and functional food and drink industries, Vitafoods Europe once again sets the agenda with brand new visitor attractions and an in-depth conference programme when it returns to Geneva on 14-16 May this year.
The event, which is renowned for its high-quality content, is co-located with Finished Products Europe, Europe’s leading functional food and drink and dietary supplement exhibition, enabling visitors to see the full cycle of product innovation from ingredients to shelf.
With less than four months until the doors open, stand space is almost sold-out with over 600 suppliers displaying their latest innovations and products to more than 12,500 visitors over the course of the three-day event. Major industry players including BASF, Croda, DSM, Lonza and Naturex are already signed up, alongside 100 companies making their first appearance at the show. First-time exhibitors include Alesco, Inabata, PL Thomas, Pharma Marine and PureCircle.
The Vitafoods Europe Conference
The prestigious Vitafoods Europe Conference which runs in parallel with the exhibition tackles some of the industry’s most pertinent issues and underline key updates in regulation, ingredient innovation and academic research. The 2013 programme builds on the success of 2012, under the direction of the Vitafoods Europe Conference Executive Advisory Board, and this year takes on a new format. Longer sessions enable more in-depth presentations from high-calibre speakers from global universities, academies, research bodies and commercial organisations. Topics covered include preventative health and immunity, gut health and brain and mind health. There will also be more time in between sessions so delegates and speakers can network with exhibitors and visitors within the exhibition.
Dr Ambroise Martin, new Chair of the EFSA Health Claims panel delivers a keynote to open the conference programme offering his perspective on how the regulatory landscape is shaping the industry and what the future holds. Other speakers include representatives from Euromonitor International, Giract, Kemin, Leatherhead Food Research and Nutriconnect.
“The conference has been designed to address topics across the entire nutraceutical industry,” comments, Lynne Evans, Conference Producer. “All presentations have been peer reviewed by the Executive Advisory Board to ensure speakers deliver engaging content that give R&D, brand and corporate management professionals valuable information to help new product development.”
Plenty to see on the show floor
In addition to the scientific and commercial sessions at the conference, a brand new Nutra Insights Hub features presentations on key market trends. Led by research bodies and industry associations such as GOED, Euromonitor, EAS Strategic Advice, European Nutraceutical Association, Innova Market Insights, Mintel and the International Probiotics Association, the seminars allow attendees to learn more about opportunities for growth and innovation to form marketing and business strategies. Poster Sessions return to the show floor with a more prominent position, giving researchers an opportunity to share their scientific projects and discuss ideas, applications and potential investment opportunities for the future.
Visitors can hear about exhibitors’ exciting new product launches and case studies at the Seminar Theatre located on the show floor. Free-to-attend, the sessions are always packed out and give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the latest products, developments, case studies and discoveries from suppliers such as DSM, Ingredia, Naturex and Rousselot.
The New Products Zone returns to the entrance of the show, acting as inspiration for visitors as they seek out the most recent ingredient innovations for their new product pipelines. The zone can be used as a route planner to guide visitors to exhibitor stands where they can meet with representatives to find out more. VitaTrend, in association with Innova Market Insights, provides an interactive space in which to discover emerging trends that will impact product development, covering diverse topics from healthy ageing and protein popularity to ‘free-from’ claims and sweet alternatives to sugar.
Always popular, EAS Strategic Advice offers visitors free regulatory advice in one-to-one sessions tailored to their company’s specific requirements. Here, visitors can learn more about product formulas, labelling and claims to help them navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
Providing an insight into what’s new in the industry, Innovation Tours, in conjunction with NutriMarketing, are a new addition for 2013. Free-to-attend, visitors can book tours which take them from stand-to-stand to explore core industry themes with exhibitors offering mini presentations and tasting sessions.
What’s more, the Service Pavilion houses service and equipment suppliers enabling visitors to easily target companies offering services including consulting and contract manufacturing, regulatory assistance and process and pilot information. Visitors can meet with exhibitors from specific parts of the world including Belgium, China, France, Korea, India and the USA in the International Pavilions.
Running alongside Vitafoods Europe, is the fast growing Finished Products Europe. This year it hosts over 175 global exhibitors – its largest number yet – displaying a full range of nutraceutical and dietary supplement products for retail distribution. The Tasting Bar gives visitors the opportunity to sample some of the most exciting products in the functional food and drinks market and cast their vote to decide a winner in each category.
“We’ve added new content to Vitafoods Europe 2013 to ensure the exhibition and conference remains the most focused in the industry,” comments Vitafoods Portfolio DirectorChris Lee. “Vitafoods Europe is a global meeting place for professionals in the nutraceuticals industry and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors through the show doors for another exciting edition in 2013.”
