Rimini, december 17th 2024 – SIGEP World - The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence is preparing for an unprecedented international participation, with a strong presence of foreign delegations, associations, and confederations. This reflects the increasing significance of the Italian Exhibition Group’s fair in the global foodservice industry.
The event, taking place at the Rimini Expo Centre from January 18 to 22, will feature exhibitors from 33 countries, including Germany, Spain, China, France, Turkey, Belgium, Poland, and the United States, alongside Italy. These countries are key to the development of business relationships across the fair's sectors: Gelato, Pastry, Bakery, Coffee, Chocolate, and Pizza. Technological innovation will be a focal point, making SIGEP World a prime showcase for the latest trends and solutions that are transforming the global foodservice landscape. In addition to historically established markets, new regions are emerging at SIGEP World.
SAUDI ARABIA IS GUEST COUNTRY AT SIGEP 2025
A highlight of this edition will be the presence of Saudi Arabia as Guest Country. With a rapidly expanding market and increasing demand for technological innovation, Saudi Arabia—chosen as the host for Expo 2030—is emerging as a new frontier for the hospitality and foodservice sectors. This presents a strategic opportunity for companies, opening new prospects for global foodservice. During SIGEP World, a delegation of top Saudi buyers, including major players like Barn’s (a coffee shop chain with over 800 locations), Elite Hospitality/Al-Nahla Group (a leading hospitality company), and Al Tazaj (a quick service restaurant chain with more than 120 locations), will arrive in Rimini.
GLOBAL MARKETS INCREASINGLY ATTRACTED TO ITALIAN OUT-OF-HOME INDUSTRY
SIGEP World 2025 will drive a strong push for technological innovation and sustainability in the foodservice industry, with over 40 international events—including talks and competitions—featuring 60 speakers from the Out-of-Home industry. Over 520 buyers from 79 countries, including the U.S., India, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, and China, have already joined the Top Buyers' Program to facilitate business matchmaking at the fair.
The participants include key figures in foodservice: 34% from chains (gelaterias, restaurants, quick service restaurants, pastry shops, coffee shops, bakeries, pizzerias, and hotel chains), 28% from producers and artisan workshops, 20% from importers, 14% from distributors and wholesalers, and 4% from the GDO and catering sectors. Additionally, more than 2,500 European buyers from Spain, Germany, France, Romania, Greece, and the United Kingdom are part of the Premium Program. The fair’s ability to attract diverse markets is confirmed by the participation of countries like the U.S., a global leader in pizza promotion—a sector that will see further growth at SIGEP World—Germany, and Spain, top performers in the artisan gelato sector. Key international markets include the U.K., where coffee and pastry play a major role in Food & Beverage, and France, known for its deep ties to bakery and pastry sectors.
INSTITUTIONAL PRESENCE AND INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS AT SIGEP WORLD
One of SIGEP World’s key strengths is its institutional presence, backed by a strong network and strategic relationships fostered by the Italian Exhibition Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICE Agency. Delegations from the Americas will include the North American Ice Cream Association from the U.S., the Baking Association of Canada (BAC), and the Associação Brasileira do Sorvete e Outros Gelados Comestíveis from Brazil, reflecting the strategic importance of these markets, especially for the Gelato and Bakery industries.
From Africa, where the foodservice market is rapidly evolving, participants include the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) and the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA). Asia will be represented by the Korean Bakery Association and Turkish Chefs Federation (TASFED), while Uzbekistan will join through the Uzbekistan Food Industry Association (UFIA). Europe will be well-represented by major associations such as the Deutscher Konditorenbund (Germany), CEOPPAN (Spain’s leading association for the bakery sector), Confédération Nationale des Glaciers de France (France), and HORECA Industry Association (HORA) from Romania—a high-potential emerging market for foodservice.
Additionally, the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Restaurant Association of Singapore, the Airline Catering Association (based in Brussels), and the Indonesia Tourism Industry Association will also participate.
PRESS CONTACT SIGEP ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP
head of media relation & corporate communication: Elisabetta Vitali; press office manager: Marco Forcellini, Pier Francesco Bellini; international press office coordinator: Silvia Giorgi; press office coordinator: Luca Paganin; press office specialist: Mirko Malgieri - media@iegexpo.it