The 44th edition of HostMilano, organized by Fiera Milano, has drawn to a close after an intense five days that saw manufacturers, operators and consultants coming together for what is one of the most important foodservice industry trade shows in the calendar.
With 2.041 exhibitors from 56 countries and an expected 200,000 visitors, HostMilano brings together the best innovation from across the globe.
“This year’s show was an incredible event, bringing together professionals from across the industry and around the globe,” says FCSI Worldwide president Eric Norman FCSI, principal and vice president of Clevenger Associates. “This dynamic exhibition showcased every category of foodservice equipment while providing outstanding networking opportunities with FCSI colleagues, manufacturers, reps, and end users.”
Mick Jary, specification director of Meiko UK and the manufacturer rep on the board of FCSI Worldwide, says Host remains the show to attend globally. “Every manufacturer attends, and brings their senior seam, which attracts the audience you want to see and this year the bar was raised yet again,” he says.
From sustainable kitchens to digital solutions, all bases were covered as manufacturers shared new technologies with the market. The common denominator for those walking the floors hoping to glean insights into the direction of travel in commercial kitchen equipment, was a more digital, data-driven and connected future, with AI dominant in new technology.
FCSI Professional member Primož Černigoj from Slovenia had expected to see even more news in this segment: “The show continues to be a key platform for discovering new trends and technologies,” he says. “We saw the early steps of AI technology entering the sector – it’s promising, but I definitely expected to see more advanced applications.” He highlights some “truly nice examples of stainless steel counter design, in terms of aesthetics and functionality” among the innovation that caught his attention.
Meanwhile, organizers this year had prepared an extended focus on coffee and bakery, acknowledging an increasing trend in these segments and the potential to boost revenue in any foodservice operation.
FCSI a point of union
Like previous years, FCSI EAME hosted consultant and manufacturer members along with industry colleagues and friends at the show. The booth served as a meeting point and a space to network as well as a place to relax, rest your feet and enjoy a coffee or a snack.
FCSI EAME chair Frank Wagner pronounced the Society’s participation a genuine success. “Our purposefully designed stand served as a key networking hub and a welcome escape from the hectic trade show atmosphere, as well as a vibrant space for industry learning,” he says. “Despite the booth’s more modest scale this year, we consistently welcomed a strong stream of visitors – clear evidence of our network’s strength and the relevance of our content.”
The FCSI hub is vital for members who visit HostMilano from all over the world – a chance to catch up with friends, learn from each other and collaborate.
The newly formed FCSI unit for Iberia was represented for the first time by president Óscar Pastor and vice president Marta Cebrián López. “Through our participation at Host Milano, we were able to see first-hand the enormous appeal of our foodservice sector in Iberia,” says Pastor. “FCSI Iberia’s presence at Host Milano represents a point of acceleration for the unit’s local challenges.”
Learning program
The FCSI booth was home to a series of panel session and presentations, hosted by Foodservice Consultant and sharing conversations on everything from food waste and embodied carbon to the changing customer experience and a new generation of consultants.
“The dynamic yet informal program focused on current industry trends, proved especially compelling and drew sustained interest throughout the event,” says Wagner.
Cebrián participated in the opening panel on the booth, which reflected on 70 years of FCSI and gathered consultant members from different regions and of varying lengths of the relationship with FCSI. “It was an honor for me to represent Iberia in the panel session at Host Milano and share experiences with different generations of consultants, exploring the evolution and the future of our profession,” she says.
Throughout the show, visitors eager to learn from one another and share insights on what the future of commercial foodservice might look like, gathered at the FCSI EAME booth and across the show – proving yet again that global trade shows are vital to a fast moving sector.
Reflecting on this edition of HostMilano, Jary noticed an increased number of international visitors, especially the UK. “I was amazed at the number of dealers, consultants, chefs and end users visiting and there was a great attendance of consultants from across the world,” he says. “It was wonderful to see everyone.”
Tina Nielsen
