RIMINI, Italy – With attendees from over 160 countries, more than 1,200 exhibiting brands from 35 nations, and over 5,200 business meetings facilitated by 500+ top buyers from 84 countries, SIGEP 2024 once again proved to be the global benchmark for the sweet foodservice industry.
The 45th edition of the renowned international trade show for gelato, pastry, bakery, coffee, and chocolate, organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), was held from January 20–24 at the Rimini Expo Centre. “SIGEP has confirmed itself as the go-to platform for the future of sweet foodservice,” stated Maurizio Ermeti, President of IEG. “This is where craftsmanship meets innovation, and where local excellence becomes a global standard.”
A Truly Global Showcase
The 2024 edition welcomed delegations and visitors from Europe (Spain, Germany, Romania, France, Greece), the Balkans (Croatia, Serbia, Albania), the Middle East (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon), Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia), North America (USA, Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico), and Asia (China, South Korea, Japan, India).
The event featured three major international competitions with 25 participating countries:
- Gelato World Cup
- Juniores Pastry World Cup
- Gelato European Challenge
Business Opportunities and Global Networking
More than 5,000 B2B meetings were held across the stands of 1,200 brands, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ITA/ICE Agency, and IEG’s international advisor network.
Record-Breaking Media and Digital Reach
With a community of 161,000 industry professionals, SIGEP 2024 achieved over 2 million online content views and 780,000 interactions on the TEO – The Eating Out Hub app, which included a “Job Offers” section aimed at young professionals. Media coverage reached an estimated 561 million impressions, with 660 accredited journalists, including 56 from outside Italy.
Nurturing the Next Generation
Education was also a core focus, with 3,250 students from 70 hospitality schools and training institutes participating in practical learning sessions through SIGEP Academy, SIGEP Giovani, and dedicated school tours.
360° View of the Sweet Business
SIGEP 2024 covered the full spectrum of the sweet foodservice supply chain, from cutting-edge machinery and ingredients for gelato and pastry, to bakery, pizza, chocolate, and coffee. Showcooking demos and trend talks by renowned masters of artisan sweets attracted distributors, restaurant chains, and foodservice professionals.
The Era of Sustainable Innovation
Sustainability took center stage, with green economy innovations entering the worlds of gelato, pastry, chocolate, and coffee. The show highlighted plant-based trends, AI-enhanced processes, and consumer-driven environmental consciousness.
The Innovation District in the heart of the Vision Plaza showcased startups and honored disruptive ideas with the Innovation Award, cementing SIGEP’s role as a catalyst for new business models in foodservice.
Looking Ahead
Under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and several local authorities, SIGEP continues to build valuable partnerships across the industry.
Upcoming IEG events include:
- SIGEP 2025, January 18–22 in Rimini
- SIGEP China, April 24–26 in Shenzhen
- SIGEP Asia, June 26–28 in Singapore
- Beer&Food Attraction, February 18–20 in Rimini
Discover more at: www.sigep.it