Thaifex-World of Food Asia 2017 Records All-time High Attendance

July 11, 2017

The 14th edition of Thaifex-World of Food Asia was jointly organised by Koelnmesse Pte Ltd, the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), and the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC).

Over the span of five days, the event was attended by 43,129 Thai visitors and 11,982 international visitors, all comprising key decision makers and buyers in the food and beverage (F&B) trade.

They were not only treated to a wide array of food products and technologies, but also access to insights that could help extend their businesses throughout ASEAN and beyond.

Committed to providing a truly global experience for everyone, the trade show saw the number of international exhibitors grow by 14 per cent, with representatives from countries such as Scotland, the USA, Australia, Poland, Japan, Turkey, and Vietnam.

This is the first time the absolute number of international exhibitors matched that of Thai exhibitors, indicative of a powerful show for the region and beyond.

Mathias Kuepper, Managing Director, Koelnmesse, organiser for Thaifex-World of Food Asia 2017, said, “The record-breaking number of visitors is testament to the fact that the F&B industry continues to see the trade show as the place to be. This year’s show proved to be more than just a platform for networking between buyers and exhibitors, but also an avenue for everyone to collaborate, share thoughts, and exchange knowledge about issues facing the industry.”

For the first time this year, an exclusive group of Asian top buyers were also hosted on-site for one-on-one business matching and networking.

Said Simon Chuen, Director and General Manager of Dah Chong Hong Holdings, “We’re thrilled to be part of the exclusive group of hosted buyers. Many valuable connections were established and we are confident that they will help us in generating successful business deals post-show. The varied profile of exhibitors that we met certainly expanded our horizons as we were not aware of some of the products prior to attending Thaifex-World of Food Asia. It was indeed an enriching and engaging show for us.”

The third annual Celebrity Coffee Bar, jointly organised by Koelnmesse, ASEAN Coffee Federation and Singapore Coffee Association, welcomed 15 champion baristas from around the world, where they showcased their skills in latte art and coffee brewing.

On top of that, espresso and brew tasting sessions were held and masterclasses conducted onsite for budding coffee connoisseurs, offering tips on how to create the perfect brew.

“I was delighted to share my love of coffee at the Celebrity Coffee Bar. It gave me the perfect platform to invite people to explore Starbucks Reserve, our line of rare, small lot coffees from around the world and try different brewing techniques. Having skilled baristas at the bar helped to raise awareness of the true craft and professionalism that goes into serving coffee,” said Ryan Wibawa, Starbucks barista and 2015 Champion of the Indonesian Brewers Cup.

The next edition of Thaifex–World of Food Asia 2018 will be held from 29 May – 2 June, 2018.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact