Rimini, November 10th, 2025 — The international journey towards SIGEP World 2026, the flagship event organized by Italian Exhibition Group dedicated to the gelato, pastry, chocolate, coffee, bakery and pizza sectors, officially takes off from Madrid.
The Spanish roadshow — hosted at the Italian Embassy and organized in collaboration with ITA Agency (ICE) and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Spain — brought together analysts, associations and key players of the Iberian foodservice industry to discuss the ongoing transformation in urban consumption, service styles and business models.
Spain drives the European out-of-home market
According to data presented by Circana during the roadshow, Spain is currently the most dynamic out-of-home market in Europe, showing a +2.4% growth in the first nine months of 2025, outperforming the average of the five major European countries (+1.8%).
This confirms Spain’s leading role in a fast-evolving sector, where gelato and pastry shops have become essential components of modern urban dining concepts — combining artisanal quality with scalable business models.
The Madrid event also opened new business agendas between Italian companies and Spanish groups, ahead of SIGEP 2026.
Rimini strengthens its position as an international hub thanks to direct flight connections not only from Munich but also from Madrid, facilitating the arrival of buyers, chains and operators from around the world.
India confirmed as Guest Country 2026
Among the most awaited news, India has been confirmed as the Guest Country for SIGEP World 2026 — a sign of the growing interest of emerging markets in contemporary foodservice and hospitality formats inspired by Italy.
The presence of an official Indian delegation — including buyers, media and institutional representatives — will further consolidate SIGEP’s role as a strategic platform for promoting Italian artisanal gelato culture in Asia.
Gelato as a professional skill for the foodservice industry
One of the main focuses of SIGEP World 2026 will be the promotion of gelato as a professional competence to be integrated into the menus of restaurants, hotels and coffee chains.
Through the projects Gelato Meets Chains and the international campaign “What is Gelato?”, SIGEP aims to position gelato not only as a product but as a business opportunity and brand differentiator for the out-of-home sector.
By combining training, technology and creativity, the event highlights gelato as a profitable and distinctive feature in contemporary dining experiences.
New trends in hospitality and coffee culture
Two market observatories will explore the evolving dynamics of hospitality and coffee retail:
- Luxury Hotel Food Experience will spotlight the latest trends in high-end hospitality through insights from pastry chefs, academics, and F&B managers of major hotel groups. Topics will include service aesthetics, gastronomic identity, and the personalization of premium experiences.
- Innovation Bar will delve into how the bar sector is transforming, addressing smart robotics, workflow optimization, and the evolution of specialty coffee as a cultural language rather than a passing trend.
Pizza (R)evolution: the complete supply chain on stage
The Pizza Arena and Vision Plaza will host a full-scale project dedicated to the entire pizza supply chain — from doughs and toppings to equipment, technologies and new service formats.
With the participation of 50 Top Pizza and international training institutions, SIGEP 2026 will serve as a live observatory on global pizza trends and business opportunities for professionals and companies.
SIGEP World 2026: a global gastronomic language
From January 16th to 20th, 2026, the Rimini Expo Centre will once again become the global meeting point for the artisan foodservice industry.
Italian artisanal gelato, symbol of Made in Italy excellence and a bridge between gastronomic cultures, will take center stage as a universal language of taste, creativity and innovation.