Sial Middle East to Host 22,000 Food Industry Experts

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the eighth edition of SIAL Middle East will host more than 22,000 industry professionals and 900 exhibitors this year.

Running from 12-14 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and held in a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), as part of the Abu Dhabi Food Festival and in coordination with Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, SIAL Middle East is expanding its range of show features to accommodate increased levels of interest from local, regional, and international food-related organisations.

Date palm sales

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition is the only B2B event in the world dedicated solely to dates, and will be co-located with SIAL Middle East, providing the perfect platform for suppliers to meet with leading names in the hospitality industry.

Highlighting a fruit embedded in Emirati culture, the exhibition will allow onsite sales for the first time, opening up new business opportunities for buyers and suppliers.

The Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition will host 80 date producers and suppliers from 12 countries including pavilions from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine and Jordan.

Digitalise

This year's edition of SIAL Middle East will witness a great presence for digital communication with a platform hosted by Dining & Nightlife Abu Dhabi magazine. This new addition to the show will offer a communications hub with a number of benefits for budding restaurateurs.  It will include three distinct elements:

1. Social Media Hub: free social media ‘health checks’ for all attendees and receive guidance on how hotels, restaurants and cafes can improve their social media presence and drive benefits for their business.

1. Communications Hub: free PR and marketing template that HoReCa companies can utilise to promote themselves to the right audience.

1. Meet the Influencers: influencer and blogger meet and greet with visitors where they can learn from industry reviewers and critics, and take part in a speed networking session with top influencers offering F&B outlets help to increase brand awareness and exposure.

Arabian Buffet Competition

With more than 1,000 competing chefs in 19 different categories, the eighth edition of the exhibition will also host the Arabian Buffet competition, hosted by the Emirates Culinary Guild, the organiser of La Cuisine and the culinary partner of the exhibition.

The competition will task teams of two chefs and one helper to prepare and present a five-star hotel style traditional Arabian wedding feast suitable to feed 20 people. A selection of main dishes, kebabs and desserts will be cooked and served by the competitors, and assessed by a panel of judges.

The latest in industry trends

Co-located with SIAL Middle East this year, the Middle East Food Forum (MEFF), has expanded its features.  Positioned as the voice of the local restaurant industry, MEFF will add various initiatives to the line-up such as a forum with panel discussions, a networking evening, and a CEO roundtable.

SIAL Middle East returns with support from Host Sponsor: Abu Dhabi Chamber, Diamond Sponsor: Jenaan Investments, Silver Sponsors: Al Rawafed and Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre, Bronze Sponsor: Mai Dubai and The Deep Seafood Company, and Halal Certification Sponsor: Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology.