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BANGKOK, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Food Ingredients (Fi) is a premium global brand of tradeshows, conferences, seminars and related events servicing the food and beverage (F&B) sectors, explained UBM Asia Business Director, Rungphech (Rose) Chitanuwat. "The key distinction of the Fi portfolio is that our events are dedicated solely to food ingredients -- not finished foods. This allows us to offer a one-stop, specialised show for food ingredients with a more focused approach so we can better meet our exhibitors' and visitors' specific needs and offer them the right ingredients for their success".
"In ASEAN we target three key F&B markets; Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. Fi Asia, which is our flagship show alternates annually between Thailand and Indonesia to ensure regional access to leading suppliers and visitors. In 2014 we are introducing Fi Vietnam which focuses on the Mekong River Delta region -- Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The inaugural Fi Vietnam 2014 will be held on 21-23 May in Ho Chi Minh City, while the 18th edition of Fi Asia 2014 takes place on the 15-17 October 2014 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The growth of the Fi brand in ASEAN reflects the growth of the F&B industry with more exhibitors and visitors both regional and international, attending each event. This growth in exhibitor and visitor numbers proves we offer an effective business platform for suppliers, distributors, buyers and other F&B professionals. Buyers come to Fi looking for new ingredients, new suppliers, new ideas and new solutions", she said.
According to Rungphech, "Fi trade shows are critical not only to promote business and networking, but also they play a key role in education. Furthermore many new products and innovations are launched at Fi events. UBM recognises the importance of working with F&B stakeholders, including exhibitors, industry associations, government, regulators, academics and media to ensure we deliver meaningful and relevant content for the Fi brand. We do not see ourselves, however, as just tradeshow organisers, but rather as an integral part of the F&B industry's ongoing development, for example promoting food safety and encouraging opportunities for halal foods and beverages, and harmonisation of ASEAN food standards".
Exhibitors and customers alike understand that even in a digital age when you can get product and supplier information on the internet, it can never replace face-to-face meetings at tradeshows, noted Rungphech. "We still tend to do business with people we know. Customers come to Fi looking to do business; they can see, touch, taste and smell food ingredients, experience the latest technologies, and find solutions to formulate products that meet consumer demands. However, UBM understands that we live and do business in a digital world, which is why we incorporate digital technologies to complement our Fi offerings".
