20 October 2014, Poznan
Press Release
Poznan meeting the food and HoReCa industries – professional, international, inspiring
The biggest block of events for representatives of the food, catering and hospitality industries, who on 27.09-2.10.2014 visited POLAGRA-FOOD International Trade Fair for Food, POLAGRA GASTRO International Trade Fair For Gastronomy, INVEST-HOTEL Hotel Equipment Trade Fair, POLAGRA TECH International Trade Fair of Food Processing Technologies, Tastes of Regions and TAROPAK International Trade Fair of Packaging Technology and Logistics, is behind us. It was a very intense time for our exhibitors and visitors filled primarily with business meetings,
but also conferences, training sessions and culinary demonstrations that surely have been a mine of information about the current trends in the food, catering and hospitality market.
This year's edition of this extensive exhibition block consisted of 1,300 exhibitors from 45 countries of the world. Nearly 30% of this group were the producers and distributors of food,
equipment and accessories for the HoReCa industry.
An impressive number of visitors also proves the scale of the event. The above-mentioned trade fairs were visited by over 65 thousand people. Among the visitors we hosted representatives of retail chains, including Eurocash Cash & Carry, Małpka, Carrefour Polska, Piotr i Paweł, Czerwona Torebka, Żabka, Biedronka, Intermarche Polska. The trade fairs were also visited by representatives of four and five-star Polish hotel facilities suc has Wierchomla SKI & SPA Resort, Hotel Belvedere Resort & Spa, DANA Hotel & SPA, Diament hotel chain or Polish Prestige Hotels as well as local representatives of the hospitality industry representing Ilonn Hotel, Hotel Rzymski, Brovaria Hotel, HOT_elarnia Puszczykowo, Nowotel, Hotel Platinum, Hotel NH, SHERATON, CAMPANILLE and Hotel Andersia.
The block started with the Tastes of Regions which attracted a wide audience from Saturday, 27 September, with treats from almost all Polish provinces. On Sunday, the Baker's Day started the POLAGRA TECH Fair, and the solemn inauguration of the entire block of events took place on 30 September in the presence, among others, of the President of Poland Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski and the Minister of Agriculture Marek Sawicki. Guests participating in the official opening also included MPs, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, foreign delegations as well as representatives of self-government and local authorities, and heads of the most important industry and economic organisations.
POLAGRA FOOD – driving force of the development of new export destinations and trends in the domestic market
This year's edition of POLAGRA FOOD is primarily a comprehensive exhibition of the dairy industry, which occupied entire Hall No. 8. A sizeable number of exhibitors including leading dairy cooperatives in Poland presented a wide range of products, including many novelties. The other two halls dedicated to the food industry were occupied, among others, by manufacturers of processed fruit and vegetables, and sweets. A large group of manufacturers of these products present at the fair proves the potential of the industry in this area. Their stands aroused great interest among the visitors, and according to exhibitors this indicates new opportunities of cooperation. This year's exhibition at POLAGRA FOOD was completed by manufacturers and distributors of spices, food additives, beverages, spirits and teas.
They won gold
The stands of the Gold Medalists of this year's POLAGRA FOOD deserved particular attention. This prestigious award was granted to as many as 26 products, which only confirms the fact that the food industry is constantly following changes in the eating model and is looking for new solutions that meet the expectations of consumers. Among this year's winners of MTP Gold Medals were: Minsk Kristall OJSC, Niewieścin Sp. z o.o., Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska in Radomsko, Polskie Przetwory Sp. z o.o., Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska in Koło, Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska in Międzyborz, Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska in Włoszczowa, LLC Ukraine Distribiuting Company KHORTYT S.A. Distillery, Rzeźnictwo Zyguła Zbąszynek Sp. z o.o., Spółdzielnia Mleczarska MLEKOVITA, Spółdzielnia Mleczarska "Sudowia", Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska in Czarnkow, Zakład Mleczarski Sp. z o.o. in Łaszczow, Okręgowa Spółdzielnia Mleczarska TOP-TOMYŚL, Zakład Przetwórstwa Mleka "Mlecz" Sp. z o.o. in Wolsztyn, Zakłady Mięsne Henryka Stokłosy and Zakład Mięsny Sp. j. Konarczak.
POLAGRA FOOD as the arena of international meetings
Like each year, POLAGRA FOOD attracted crowds of professional visitors interested in new products on the foodstuff market and collaboration with new suppliers. Among them were 180 groups from abroad from countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Iran, Egypt, Cyprus, France and Ukraine. At the special invitation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development POLAGRA was also visited by entrepreneurs from Moldova, Hungary and Kenya. As highlighted by Witold Choiński, President of "Polskie Mięso" - Polish Association of Manufacturers, Exporters and Importers of Meat, the presence of buyers from abroad not only allowed to establish new business contacts, but was also an opportunity to continue initiated activities. The representatives of the dairy sector appreciated the presence of visitors from abroad. Exhibitors pointed out that it was an excellent opportunity to establish new contacts, which is not without significance in the current situation faced by the dairy industry, where the priority goal is seeking new markets.
Opportunities and threats – with the eye of experts
As every year, the trade fair exhibition was complemented by an attractive program of events. During the conference, among other things, the prospects for the Polish food market, both those associated with the development of innovative products with high nutritional value and reducing the incidence of civilisation diseases, and those of a commercial nature relating to the export of Polish food were discussed. There were s also marketing topics – trends in promotional activities at the point of sale were discussed by experts from TNS Polska. The meeting attracted a large group of retailers, including many representatives of retail chains.
POLAGRA GASTRO – a compilation of innovative solutions for the catering industry and culinary talents
This year's edition of POLAGRA GASTRO again served as the scene for the presentation of the offer of leaders operating in the catering market. Restaurant operators and chefs visiting the fair could familiarise themselves with new equipment solutions for professional kitchens and dining rooms.
The best solutions for the catering industry
This year, MTP Gold Medal was awarded to two products exhibited at POLAGRA GASTRO by Komat Mieczysław Kozłowski and Rational sp. z o.o. The importance of this award in terms of marketing is demonstrated by the fact that one of the winners on the second day of the fair could boast sales success associated with the award-winning product.
Culinary presentations as a prelude to talks on cooperation
An indispensable element of the fair were culinary demonstrations and tastings that were to present not only the modus operandi of modern equipment, but also the final effect in the form of dishes prepared with their use. Crowds of visitors appeared at the on sous-vide workshop conducted by chefs working with HENDI Polska and at the stand of Forno Italia, where one could admire the work of Italian pizza specialists and impressive pizza ovens. Culinary performances by Krystian Zalejski in the SELGROS culinary zone attracted a wide audience not only with the aroma, but also a uniquely colourful exhibition of native and exotic fruits and vegetables.
Get it out on the table, or café business by experts
There were also interesting offers for baristas and café managers – the coffee zone featured presentations of a wide range of accessories for making coffee and tea of renowned brands. The key point, however, was the scene in which Polish Latte Art Champion Marcin Michalik and other talented baristas presented their skills in preparing good coffee, and shared valuable advice pointing to the most important elements of café management, which aspects of operations require special attention and how to make them a success.
Modern design bringing commercial success
An interesting event at this year's POLAGRA GASTRO was also a meeting with Dariusz Gocławski, head of the architectural studio desiging, among other things, commercial interiors and catering chains. Presentation of new trends in interior design for restaurants and ideas for building additional functionalities, which are not only an attraction for customers, but also generate revenues, aroused great interest and provided lots of inspiration to participants of the lecture.
Master kitchen
The place that attracted numerous visitors during POLAGRA GASTRO was certainly the scene of the Polish Culinary Cup. The winners of the 14th edition of the most prestigious competition in the Polish catering sector were Przemysław Gryz and Łukasz Ziętek. They qualified for the semifinals already last year during the 11th Kuyavian and Pomeranian Culinary Competition. The preparation of the semi-final scallop appetizer and dessert allowed them to enter the finals of the Polish Culinary Cup, in which using professional cooking techniques they fancifully combined beef tenderloin with fresh yarmulka and blueberries. This composition captivated the international Competition Jury, which, next to Chairman Zenon Hołubowski, consisted of Paraschos Anxiotis, Daniel Ayton, Harald Fraget, Jonas Larsson, Milan Sahanek and Miroslav Kubec, WACS Director for Central Europe.
The competitiors in the Polish Culinary Cup were supported by friends, experts from the world of gastronomy and representatives of the companies cooperating in the organisation of the competition, including but not limited to the sponsors – Unilever Food Solutions and Nordzucker.
General Sponsor of the Competition:Main Sponsor of the Competition:
INVEST-HOTEL – a package of solutions to ensure the comfort of hotel guests
Furniture, mattresses, textiles, lighting, bathroom fittings, SPA bathtubs, hotel staff uniforms – these and many other products were presented at this year's INVEST-HOTEL fair. Entrepreneurs from the hospotality industry presented their products and services in the modern exhibition Hall 8A. The INVEST-HOTEL programme was not only diverse, but also meticulously matched to the needs of the industry, which attracted the interest of professionals – hotel operators, investors, architects, interior designers, representatives of sanatoriums, health resorts, spa and wellenes facilities, and smaller rest centres.
Fair programme appreciated by the industry
In view of the professional visitors, INVEST-HOTEL included a number of interesting seminars and lectures. The "<HMC> Hotel Marketing Conference" organised by PROFITROOM in collaboration with Google and MTP enjoyed enormous popularity. Attendance was also good during the "Hotel Design Meeting - the National Conference of Hotel Industry Design and Trends", the second important event organised by the Institute of Hotel Market and MTP. The speakers included: Tim Mutton, Grzegorz Dzus, Zenon Bladek, Luiza Jodlowska, Rafal Malinski, Stefan Trienen, Krzysztof Kowalczykiewicz and Waldemar Antonowicz. Fair visitors also willingly participated in seminars conducted by Krzysztof Gabinski and Piotr Tabor - "Revenue management" and "Hotel staff management" as well as in conferences dedicated to innovation in the hospitality industry and the current situation of the industry.
For more information on POLAGRA FOOD, GASTRO POLAGRA and INVEST-HOTEL visit: and
Interested media representatives are encouraged to contact:
Katarzyna Swiderska| | tel. 61 869 24 38
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