Internorga draws the crowds for another year

The 2019 edition of the biggest HoReCa show in Europe concluded this week in Hamburg, Germany, after a busy few days, as Tina Nielsen reports

More than 95,000 visitors came along to Hamburg Messe to view and experience the latest developments and trends in the wider hospitality and foodservice sector at the 93rd edition of Internorga. Every patch of the 100,000 sq m show space packed to capacity with a total of 1,300 exhibitors, showcasing innovation in products and solutions needed for long-term success in the out-of-home market.

Established market leaders and start-ups new to the industry, spread across the show halls, showed the way forward for the sector. From food and beverages and fittings and furnishings to commercial kitchen equipment and payment systems.

Trends and buzz words

Among the highlighted trends at Internorga, the push towards increased digitisation was evident across the show halls. As the industry continues to innovate to streamline and simplify, in the kitchens as well as in the guest areas, smart solutions could be found in every area from ordering and payment to intelligent warewashing machines, high-quality combi-steamers and digital organisation systems.

But digital was just one of the buzzwords this year – interconnected technology, self-cleaning equipment and sustainability were among other hot topics among exhibitors, speakers and presenters.

As one of the foremost foodservice trade shows, Internorga is an ideal place to launch new products. This year was no exception – from commercial warewashing specialists Hobart launching its undercounter dishwashwer with new Top-Dry at their booth to coffee machine manufacturer WMF presenting the latest innovation in a new addition to their line of coffee makers; the espresso machine with filtered coffee option.

Beyond the show halls

Running concurrently with the exhibition areas, were a wide range of awards, presentations and events, including the German Gastro Startup Award, the Next Chef Award and the Masterclass International Growth & Franchising, held for the first time this year.

The show also played host to the International Food Service Forum, the German Catering Congress as well as the Forum for School Catering. The Newcomers area, provided 20 market entrants with a stage to show their product to the market for the very first time.

Bellavita Expo, the leading expo for Italian food and beverage products outside of Italy, appeared for the first time at Internorga. The Craft Spirit Lounge and the Craft Beer area, both bigger this year, are popular with visitors.

The Internorga future award, presented on the eve of the show to companies that set new standards and act as a driving force to move the foodservice market forward, was awarded in three categories. Bonduelle Deutschland was awarded the price for trendsetter product of the year in food and beverage while WMF was given the prize for Trendsetter product of the year in equipment and technology. The Trendsetter company in the gastronomy and hotel sector went to Kuratorium Wiener Pensionisten Wohnhäuser.

On the Monday of the show, FCSI’s Foodservice Consultant team also chaired a consultants roundtable of FCSI Germany-Austria members, sponsored by Eloma. The roundtable, which focused on current industry challenges and opportunities and how these affect the future of commercial kitchen design, will appear in the Q2 print edition of the magazine.

Tina Nielsen

 

 

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