Gelatissimo, the trade fair for handmade ice cream, brings together the world of gelato in Stuttgart for the 4th time and has impressively confirmed its title as a leading industry meeting place north of the Alps. The must-attend event on ice-cold delicacies was once again able to register records following the successes of previous years and after five successful trade fair days brought a satisfied smile to the faces of exhibitors and visitors alike.
At the international industry meeting place Gelatissimo, which takes place parallel to Intergastra, the positive atmosphere was tangible and this was also reflected in the figures: With 96,189 (2014: 88,696) visitors and 1,306 exhibitors (2014: 1,229), new records were set from 20 to 24 February 2016 in Stuttgart for the trade fair duo for gelatieri, café owners, gastronomers and hotel operators.
“The increases in recent years have shown that with the trade fair combination of Gelatissimo/Intergastra the market is supporting our attempt to provide an important platform for the ice cream, gastronomy and hotel sectors in the German-speaking region,” explained Ulrich Kromer, President of Messe Stuttgart. "Both exhibitors and visitors have confirmed that the comprehensive exhibition and its attractive programme of accompanying events ideally complement each other and the synergy effects between Gelatissimo and Intergastra offer real added value.
This creates an atmosphere in which good discussions are conducted and concrete orders are also initiated." Following the positive development in recent years, Messe Stuttgart and its partners, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baden-Württemberg e.V. (DEHOGA) and the State Association of Guilds of Baden-Württemberg Confectioners, were able to set new records and continue the success story together with the exhibitors.
Two thirds of visitors travel over 100 kilometres
The majority of visitors to Gelatissimo (66 percent) travel over 100 kilometres to Stuttgart. The percentage of foreign visitors is 14 percent and the guests come from 28 countries to Gelatissimo, mainly from Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The visitors from Germany primarily come from Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. The visitors from ice cream cafés and parlours (54 percent), cafés and coffee shops (18 percent), as well as the catering sector and restaurants (13 percent), form the backbone of Gelatissimo.
High proportion of decision-makers and large willingness to invest
The mood among the exhibitors was also very good, because the number of decision-makers among visitors was extremely high: 79 percent of the visitors stated they were involved in the purchasing and investment decisions. The prospects for business are excellent, because the willingness to invest was noticeable at the trade fair stands. 50 percent of visitors definitely want to invest, and a further 37 percent of visitors will possibly invest - 60 percent of those visitors want to purchase in the next six months.
The guests are impressed with the top-class offering of Gelatissimo, this is confirmed by the top marks awarded to their intention to visit the event again and the significance of the event: 76 percent also want to come back to the next event and 84 percent would recommend the trade fair. 55 percent of visitors also feel that Gelatissimo will become even more important for the industry.
Successful mix of trade fair and accompanying programme
At the 4th Gelatissimo the enhancement to the programme of events which accompanies the trade fair was obviously a step in the right direction to further expand the successful trade fair concept. 59 percent of visitors attended the ice cream arena, the forum of Gelatissimo. Also the Coppa Gelatissimo, the innovation award for the industry, which was presented for the first time, was well received by the visitors - 29 percent of guests attended the stand for the innovation award. The 2016 award winners are Carpigiani Deutschland with the product Mister Art and Ifi with the Gelato Coolbox. 23 percent of visitors attended the special area Grand Prix Gelatissimo, which also celebrated its première this year. The winners from the first two competition days, at which the flavours Blackcurrent/Cassis and Yoghurt were presented to the jury, competed against each other in the final. Here the ice cream parlour Gelati Conteaus from Friedrichshafen, which was represented by Salvatore Cruioglio, won with a hazelnut ice cream.
The next Gelatissimo will be taking place from 3 to 7 February 2018 at Messe Stuttgart. With the new Paul Horn Hall (Hall 10), which will be completed at the end of 2017, the total hall exhibition area at Messe Stuttgart will be increased from 105,200 square metres to 120,000 square metres. This also offers new prospects for the trade fair duo Gelatissimo/Intergastra and opens up opportunities for further growth.
More information, text and press photos online at www.gelatissimo.de