The inauguration of SIGEP 2024, the 45th edition of The World Dolce Expo, takes place tomorrow at the Rimini Expo Centre. The event, a global reference for the artisan gelato, pastry, bakery, chocolate, and coffee industries, is organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG).
Maurizio Ermeti, IEG President, announced:
“At SIGEP, over 1,200 brands will be showcased across 28 halls, covering 129,000 square meters of exhibition space, offering a unique business opportunity. It’s no coincidence that this fair was born and grew in a region known for innovation and internationalism.”
Opening Ceremony and Dedication to President Lorenzo Cagnoni
The official opening ceremony for SIGEP 2024 will take place on Saturday, January 20 at 11:30 AM at the Vision Plaza - Hall South, with speeches from Gian Marco Centinaio, Vice President of the Senate, Stefano Bonaccini, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Jamil Sadegholvaad, Mayor of Rimini, and Maurizio Ermeti, IEG President.
During the ceremony, a moment of commemoration will take place with the dedication of the South Dome Hall in honor of Lorenzo Cagnoni, the late IEG President who passed away in September 2023.
The Artisanal Dessert World Takes the Stage at SIGEP
SIGEP will host all the key sectors: gelato, pastry, bakery, chocolate, and coffee. The fair will feature innovations across products, packaging, machinery, and systems, along with discussions on sustainability, product culture, and digital innovation. Visitors can enjoy international competitions, workshops, and live demos in five themed arenas: Gelato, Pastry, Choco, Bakery, and Coffee. Additionally, the Gelato Lab will host the Gelato Festival World Masters 2025 stop, while the brand-new Innovation District will bring together the Start-up Area, Vision Plaza, and the Innovation Award. Over 100 talks will feature 200 speakers, including 50 international experts, offering insights from global pastry masters and industry leaders. An additional 1,000 events will be organized by exhibitors.
SIGEP Becomes Even More International in a Renewed Space
SIGEP has welcomed a strong international presence, supported by collaborations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the ICE Agency. Over 500 top buyers from 84 countries will attend. Participating countries include: Turkey, UAE, Iraq, India, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Spain, Romania, Portugal, USA, Canada, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. With the support of the TEO App - The Eating Out Hub, attendees can organize their visit, select events of interest, and request meetings with exhibitors.
Growth of the Sweet Foodservice Industry: The Popularity of Artisanal Products
Despite rising raw material costs, the out-of-home dessert sector is experiencing growth. Specifically:
- Gelato sales in Italy grew 11% in 2023, approaching €3 billion, boosted by the popularity of artisanal gelato across gelaterias, pastry shops, and bars.
- The gelato equipment and furnishing sector reached €650 million in 2023, with €350 million of that dedicated to artisanal gelaterias.
- Artisanal Panettone outperformed industrial panettone in 2023, with 58% of the market value in a €270 million market.
- Coffee maintains its position as Italy's favorite beverage, with over 95 million cups consumed daily.
- Bread consumption remains stable at 41 kg per capita annually, with growing interest in organic flour products.
- Pastry saw a growth of 12% in out-of-home consumption in 2023, with 11.4 billion products served.
SIGEP 2024 Focus
- 📅 Dates: January 20–24, 2024
- 🏢 Venue: Rimini Expo Centre
- 📊 Organizer: Italian Exhibition Group SpA
- 🤝 In collaboration with: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICE Agency
- 🎖 Under the patronage of: Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Emilia-Romagna Region, Rimini Province, Rimini Chamber of Commerce, Rimini Municipality
- 🏷 Edition: 45th
- 🔁 Frequency: Annual
- 🌐 Admission: Reserved for trade professionals