SÃO PAULO, March 20, 2026 – Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has announced the acquisition of 51% of NIS Summit – Nutrition Innovation Summit, Brazil’s leading trade platform dedicated to functional ingredients, health and wellness products, dietary supplements, and nutrition innovation.
The deal, valued at BRL 20 million, marks another major step in IEG’s international expansion strategy and further consolidates the group’s presence in one of Latin America’s most dynamic exhibition markets. According to the company, it is IEG’s 13th acquisition in Brazil, reinforcing a long-term plan focused on high-growth, structurally resilient industries.
Under the agreement, the current NIS Summit partners will remain in operational leadership until 2029, ensuring continuity in strategic direction and technical know-how. At the end of that period, IEG will hold the option to acquire the remaining 49%.
A strategic move into one of the most resilient sectors of the food economy
The acquisition of NIS Summit signals IEG’s growing focus on sectors driven by long-term structural demand rather than short-term economic cycles.
Functional nutrition, wellness ingredients, nutraceuticals, and supplements are increasingly central to the future of the global food industry. Demand is being supported by powerful macro trends including:
- aging populations
- preventive healthcare
- consumer interest in longevity and performance
- demand for healthier foods and beverages
- growth in science-backed formulations and premium ingredients
By acquiring a majority stake in NIS Summit, IEG is positioning itself at the center of a business ecosystem where food, health, science, and innovation increasingly converge.
NIS Summit: Brazil’s leading event for nutrition innovation
NIS Summit is widely positioned as Brazil’s leading B2B event for the functional ingredients, nutraceutical, health, and supplementation industries.
The 2026 edition will take place on March 31 and April 1 at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo, according to exhibitor listings and venue schedules.
Organizers expect strong growth for this year’s edition, with:
- more than 140 exhibitors
- 500 national and international brands
- over 8,500 visitors
- around 600 congress attendees
The event is also expected to post 50% growth, confirming its rising importance in Brazil’s health and nutrition industry ecosystem.
Among the key highlights of NIS Summit 2026:
NIS Lab – Future Brands Laboratory
A new business-focused area dedicated to:
- private label
- white label
- outsourced manufacturing
- new brand development
- support for emerging companies and market entrants
NIS Açaí de Ouro Award
Now in its 4th edition, the award recognizes innovation across categories such as:
- food
- beverages
- supplements
- ingredients
- wellness-driven product solutions
The deal strengthens IEG’s global Food & Beverage division
The addition of NIS Summit reinforces IEG’s Food & Beverage vertical, one of the most strategic pillars of the group’s international portfolio.
IEG already operates globally in the sector through major international events such as SIGEP World, the flagship exhibition for artisan gelato, pastry, bakery, coffee, and foodservice.
With NIS Summit, the group expands into a high-value segment where food innovation increasingly overlaps with:
- health and wellness
- functional formulations
- nutraceutical positioning
- premium ingredient systems
- science-led product development
The acquisition also creates a stronger bridge between the Brazilian market and global innovation networks, offering new opportunities for suppliers, manufacturers, and brands active in:
- functional food
- healthy beverages
- sports nutrition
- supplements
- ingredient systems
- health-focused private label production
Brazil remains central to IEG’s international growth strategy
The NIS Summit deal follows a series of acquisitions that have significantly expanded IEG Brasil.
In 2025, IEG acquired 51% of Fenagra, the International Agroindustry Feed & Food Fair, in what the company described at the time as its most important transaction in Brazil to date. That move added a major agroindustry and feed-and-food platform to the group’s Brazilian portfolio.
Before that, IEG had already acquired 100% of Expo InfraFM in 2024, entering Brazil’s facility management market, and had also taken control of MundoGeo, expanding into geotechnology, drones, and space-related events.
These moves reflect a clear strategy: building in Brazil a diversified portfolio of events connected to sectors with strong structural growth and international relevance.
Why this matters for the exhibition industry
For the global exhibition market, the NIS Summit acquisition highlights a broader trend: specialized B2B events are becoming increasingly valuable.
Rather than relying only on large-scale general trade shows, international organizers are increasingly investing in:
- high-specialization events
- content-rich business platforms
- sectors linked to innovation and science
- markets with strong domestic demand and long-term growth potential
Brazil is becoming a particularly attractive arena for this strategy, thanks to:
- its scale as Latin America’s largest economy
- a deep and diversified industrial base
- strong domestic food and health demand
- a growing ecosystem for innovation-driven B2B events
A high-value move in a fast-growing business ecosystem
With the acquisition of 51% of NIS Summit, Italian Exhibition Group is not simply expanding geographically. It is making a targeted move into one of the most promising and resilient segments of the modern food economy.
The deal gives IEG a stronger position in the intersection of:
- food
- health
- wellness
- functional ingredients
- nutrition science
- industrial innovation
At a time when the global trade show industry increasingly rewards specialized, business-oriented, and content-driven platforms, NIS Summit fits squarely into IEG’s broader growth model: international, selective, and aligned with the major structural trends shaping the future.