3
FHA2018 SHOWDAILY
DAY 2
MEET US AT SINGAPORE EXPO
24 - 27 APRIL 2018
HALL 1
BOOTH NO. 1N2-07
Since 1978
Co-located with
2 4 A p ri l 2 0 1 8
Organiser
WEDNEDAY • 25 APRIL 2018 • SINGAPORE EXPO & SUNTEC SINGAPORE
Official Show Daily published by
www.foodbizasia.com
Embrace technologies,
be digitally engaged
BY SHIRISH NADKARNI
HIGHLIGHTING the fact that today’s
consumers are becoming increasingly
discerning, ethically involved and more
digitally engaged than before in the use of
social media and mobile applications, Dr
Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for
Trade & Industry, emphasised on the need
for businesses to embrace new technologies
and go international.
Minister Koh made these remarks at
the opening ceremony of the four-day
Dr Koh Poh Koon urging businesses to take
the lead and capture the strong growth
potential in the Asia-Pacific region.
Food&HotelAsia (FHA) 2018 and Pro-
Wine Asia (PWA) 2018 exhibition at
Suntec City Convention Centre on Tuesday
morning.
FHA2018, celebrating its Ruby an-
niversary, is being held this year at two
venues — Singapore Expo and Suntec City
Convention Centre.
“Consumer preference for convenience
is also driving the growth of food delivery
and online ordering,” the minister said.
“Through the use of technology, businesses
can now provide consumers with more
seamless experiences and offer greater
convenience and choices.
“In view of these trends, businesses must
continue to take the lead to embrace new
FHA: From hotel car park to Singapore Expo + Suntec
FORTY years ago, in 1978, the first edition
of Food&HotelAsia (FHA) was held in a
hotel car park, and featured 200 exhibitors
from 13 countries. By contrast, the 2018
edition is spread across a record-breaking
120,000 sq metres, and boasts 3,500 local
and international exhibitors from over 70
countries and regions.
Underscoring the massive growth that
FHA has seen over the past four decades,
Jime Essink, president and CEO of UBM
Asia, revealed that his group was instru-
mental in organising over 27 food and
hospitality events across nine countries in
Asia, the US and Mexico.
“These shows have become an impor-
tant gateway for international companies,
importers and distributors to meet and con-
nect with key buyers and target customers,”
said Essink.
“To cater to the diverse needs of the
food and hospitality industry, FHA offers
an extensive assortment of products and
services through its six specialised sectors
— Bakery & Pastry, FoodAsia, Hospitality
Style, Hospitality Technology, HotelAsia
and Specialty Coffee and Tea.
“This year, we have introduced a new
zone called ‘Halal Connexion’.”
•Continued on page 4
technologies, innovate and internationalise,
so as to capture the strong growth potential
in the Asia-Pacific region. The government
is committed to supporting our companies
and workers in such efforts.”
To support hotels in their adoption of
technology, Singapore Tourism Board
(STB) had offered the Business Improve-
ment Fund (BIF) to all hotels in the coun-
try. The new technologies included voice
commands and Augmented Reality (AR) to
create an app to facilitate guest reservations
and requests for services.
“These technologies not only enhance
the guest experience, but also enable the
•Continued on page 4