In keeping with its name, Fi Europe CONNECT aimed to make networking and lead generation as easy as possible for attendees, thanks to an AI-based matchmaking system. More than 15,400 connections, 6,300 conversations and over 8,800 meetings prove that the virtual platform fulfilled that promise. Like its big sister Fi Europe co-located with Hi Europe, Fi Europe CONNECT had a truly international feel, with 131 countries present at the virtual exhibition.

Innovative exhibitors and an expert audience

In addition to key players such as Bio Springer, Roquette and EXBERRY® by GNT, who showcased their offerings, upcoming startup companies were also able to prove their visionary credentials in the Startup Innovation Challenge. Michroma and Enzymit, for example, both named winners in this year’s challenge, are active in the field of fermented and lab-grown ingredients.

Technologies and ingredients relating to clean label, sustainability and plant-based alternatives also dominated the exhibitor profiles. FUMI Ingredients presented an egg-free egg white, while Sufresca, also a winner of the Startup Innovation Challenge, offers edible coatings for fruit and vegetables. What’s more, functional ingredients for intestinal health, personalized nutrition and immunity played a major role – a result of the pandemic, as revealed by experts from Innova Market Insights, Mintel, FMCG Gurus, and New Nutrition Business in panel discussions and presentations.

The quality of the attendees was impressive too: Around one third of the visitors worked in R&D and product development, 64 per cent had budget authority and were responsible for purchasing in their company, and approximately 30 per cent were in senior management (C-level).

Brand Director Julien Bonvallet says: “The year 2020 was a challenge, especially for the exhibition and event industry. Although we have been well-positioned digitally, the face-to-face meetings remain at the heart of our portfolio. My team and I worked tirelessly to make Fi Europe CONNECT an international and vibrant platform. That’s why it’s great to know that this virtual show and our agenda of expert talks, panel discussions and live sessions were so well received. Virtual events are proving to be a strong channel to reach new and wider audiences, as well as an excellent vehicle for brand awareness and thought leadership.”

2021: Face-to-face exhibition and virtual event series

Informa Markets has already announced that Fi Europe co-located with Hi Europe will return to Frankfurt next year from November 30 to December 2. In addition to the event in November, the organizers will present the Fi Global CONNECT series, which consists of 3 virtual events.

Fi Global CONNECT will start with “Regions in the Spotlight” in April 2021, followed by “Health Ingredients in the Spotlight” in June and “Plant-Based Ingredients in the Spotlight” in September. Informa Markets expects the new virtual formats to link around 350 suppliers with more than 15,000 potential customers.

With a year-round calendar of networking events, a rich content agenda and marketing services, the series will enable attendees and exhibitors to connect through AI-driven matchmaking, discover innovations and do business throughout the year across a variety of markets.

Source: Fi Global

Photo by Terricks Noah from Pexels

Distill Ventures (‘DV’), the world’s first independent drinks accelerator devoted to building and scaling the drinks brands of the future, shares highlights from its second Whisky Summit, The Women of Whisky; Perspectives on Inclusion, Representation and the Future, which was held on December 2.

The digital conference, hosted by whisky expert and journalist Becky Paskin, brought a lineup of thought-leaders together from around the globe to discuss and share their own experiences and suggestions on how to foster a more inclusive whisky industry. Featured speakers included Ashley Frey, Co-Founder, Frey Ranch Distillery (United States), Hil Ying Tse, Managing Director, Whiskies & More (Hong Kong), Julie Bramham, Global Brand Director, Johnnie Walker (Netherlands), Laura Davies, Distillery Manager, Penderyn Distillery (Wales), and Kristy Lark-Booth, Owner & Operator, Killara Distillery (Australia). Heidi Dillon Otto, Managing Director, Distill Ventures North America also provided opening and closing remarks, emphasizing DV’s ongoing dedication to fostering a more diverse, inclusive environment. The full session is available for viewing here.

During the summit, the women shared personal anecdotes and experiences, prompting a robust discussion on how to foster inclusion in the industry and support diverse leaders to shape the future of the category.

When discussing hurdles that women face in the drinks industry, labeling drink choices as “feminine” or “girly” came up as a top issue. Hil Ying Tse, Managing Director, Whiskies & More stated, “A drink should not be a gender base. It should be whatever one likes.”

The industry has a responsibility to remove any stereotypes from brand marketing and communications  according to Julie Bramham, Global Brand Director, Johnnie Walker. As Julie said, “Gender portrayal in advertising is a challenge for many industries and quite a hot topic at the moment. We all have an unconscious bias. At Diageo we have developed an open source framework which we use with all of our agencies to ensure progressive female representation at every stage of the creative development process both in front of and behind the camera.  We need the entire industry to get behind this agenda to drive change.”

Ashley Frey, Co-Founder, Frey Ranch Distillery built on this as she discussed the importance of thinking through the spokespeople used to promote and represent her brand. As she shared, “Colby (her co-founder and husband) and I are the face of the company and if Colby is in the picture, I’m right there next to him. One of the things that we’ve done is look at our messaging and activities to make sure they’re balanced – for example, our marketing program includes combined Mother’s Day and Father’s Day activations so that we’re appealing to men and women equally.”

When asked about providing opportunities for women to be in leadership roles and overall advice for women in the category, Laura Davies, Distillery Manager, Penderyn Distillery said, “You have to show that you can do the job. You have to show that you are in that position not because you are a woman, but because you can do the job.”  She added, “Know your worth. Don’t sit and wait for someone to give you the same opportunities a man would have. It’s really important as women that we don’t sell ourselves short; we take personal responsibility and we push ourselves forward.”

Kristy Lark-Booth, Owner & Operator, Killara Distillery supported Laura’s sentiment, advising, “Don’t underestimate your self-worth; really believe in yourself. With the Australian Women in Distilling Association, it’s really exciting to be able to educate women in the industry and hear their experiences and watch their self-worth grow.”

Heidi Dillon Otto, Managing Director, Distill Ventures North America concluded, “With over 200 attendees, our Women of Whisky summit was the most subscribed event we’ve ever hosted. The drinks community from all over the world has spoken loud and clear – it’s time to change. Everyone has a role to play in speaking up so that as an industry, we can expediate this change.

“Fostering a more inclusive, representative industry is the key to unlocking a more vibrant, healthy and dynamic sector, but it’s not just those in the industry that can help. As Kristy Lark-Booth pointed out, we’re all consumers too, and we should not underestimate the power of voting with our spending.”

Source: Distill Ventures

Informa Markets reports 8,500 activated attendees on the platform so far – from CEOs  to research and development managers and product developers. Thirty-three per cent of participants have a role in upper management (C-level), while 66 per cent are responsible for purchasing in their company.

The Fi Europe CONNECT platform is seeing intense activity. As of 25 November, more than 10,000 meeting requests were recorded and, so far,there have been more than 4,500 conversations on the platform. An impressive 8,800 new contacts were made in the first three days alone.

The Fi Global team is delighted by the event’s success. Brand Director Julien Bonvallet said, “Our goal was to focus on an exchange of ideas, networking and lead generation with our virtual alternative. This is what makes the live event Fi Europe co-located with Hi Europe, too, a magnet for the entire ingredients industry year after year.”

During the first days of the show, the daily panel discussions and exhibitor showcases were particularly well received. Martijn van Dijk, Group Head of Sales at Informa Markets: “We are very pleased to welcome new partners such as Invest in Denmark and the Japanese External Trade Association (JETRO). For the first time, a Japanese pavilion with twelve exhibitors is  part of the fair. In total, 43 countries are represented at Fi Europe CONNECT. This proves that our virtual offering can definitely complement its big sister Fi Europe co-located with Hi Europe in terms of internationality.”

Next week’s programme includes the Startup Innovation Challenge pitches (1 – 3 December) and a presentation by LuAnn Williams on the Top Ten Trends from Innova Market Insights (1 & 2 December). Other on-demand offerings include must-see exhibitor showcases, an extensive virtual New Product Zone and a Media Zone featuring a range of trade publications.

Source: Fi Global

Aseppak is steadily evolving into one of the premier innovation boutique shops for the food and beverage world by solving three important industry dichotomies:

1. Creating products in a lab is one thing. Successfully launching a product to the public is another.
2. The market demands fast innovation. Investors need optimal and efficient innovation.
3. Consumers want new ingredients. Brands need to catch up while staying compliant.

In such a pursuit, Aseppak has joined forces with St. Croix ABF, a company dedicated to providing aseptic beverage co-packing services to brands who understand what it takes to innovate in today’s market.

The collective of companies has implemented a streamlined process that will pave the road for brands looking to innovate new beverages by the highest food safety standards. Current capabilities include a high acid pilot plant and testing facility and opening for low acid aseptic processing and packaging by first quarter 2021.

In an era where innovation is a requirement to survive, professionals need to develop plans that minimize risk and increase the chances of meeting the desired objectives. For decades, professionals in the product innovation universe have seen tons of value destroyed for the purpose of creating new value.

This is normal in most industries, yet the tech revolution has had an important impact in innovation in general for a variety of reasons. One of them being its ability to innovate with the consumer, in real time through the use of methods and concepts like Minimum Viable Products, open innovation and soft-launches.

Leading food and beverage companies have the opportunity to implement these concepts as well. Part of the answer is mindset, part of the answer is access to technology.

The reason why Aseppak continues to develop resources that will allow companies to prove concepts and validate product hypothesis at different levels: formula optimization, scalability, functionality, safety, flavor and health amongst the most important ones.

Some of these resources include bench top validation, aseptic testing, proof of formula scalability, packaging format exploration and rapid consumer and retailer feedback. There is a true sweet spot to be found in terms of the optimization of innovation projects that allows for more products to be successfully launched in less time.

Source: Aseppak

Highlights

Our online expo includes 2 themed pavilions, 3 regional pavilions, nearly 400 global exhibitors, over 1,000 categories of products, and an estimated 12,000 domestic and foreign professional buyers. Through the digital platform, online accurate negotiation and accurate matching could be conducted.

Time：25th Jul. to 5th Aug.

Webinar & Vlog

Topic 1 : Plant Power

In this topic，we will focus on technological development and commercial innovation in the field of plant-based foods. Global market trends in plant-based foods, technology and applications of plant-based protein substitutes, solutions of flavor and texture improvement of plant-based food, innovative practices in plant eggs, milk and fermented plant-based foods will be discussed. The aim of the series webinars is to promote the exchanges of plant-based food among related professional partners and to accelerate plant-based food innovation.

Topic 2: Trends and Opportunities

At this topic, we invited speaker from Analytical Flavor Systems (AFS) to share knowledge on trends and opportunities in the food industry.

Scan the QR code to visit now!

Wabel and its online partner Needl are pleased to introduce the Online Discovery Sessions, the first 100% web-based B2B conference series dedicated to the FMCG industry. Starting April 23rd, Needl will be hosting more 20 different Online Discovery Sessions in categories such as food, drinks, beauty & personal care and home care.

These sessions will allow suppliers to virtually meet with a panel of buyers to present their products. Afterwards, interested buyers are able to contact them through the platform if their needs and capabilities align.

“The way of doing business has changed a lot over the past several weeks. This change brings new opportunities, and Wabel wants to help their partners make the most of them.” says Loic Paitel, Managing Director of Wabel.

For more information regarding Online Discovery Sessions or to register for one of these events, visit here.

Source: Wabel

To build on the 360⁰ experience, LUXE PACK and NYSCC are also collaborating with BXP, Brand Experience: Packaging magazine, to develop a comprehensive educational networking experience on both show floors. This two-part series will be the first installment in BXP’s newest initiative, the BXP Live Road Show Think Tank Series. Both sessions will take place in the afternoon on May 6th and be followed by a brief networking break offering attendees a chance to mingle with each other and connect with the presenting speakers. Additional speaker details will be announced in late March.

Product development and branding with ferocity part 1

1 PM TO 2:30 – NYSCC Suppliers’ Day Innovation Hub & Solutions Center-Hall 1D

Part one of a two-part series developed by Brand Experience: Packaging in collaboration with NYSCC and LUXE PACK is a dynamic panel discussion led by the editor-in-chief of BXP magazine and featuring brand, design and industry professionals. The panel will explore how innovation and branding leaders launch, market and design with fierce speed, and yet in concert with consumer’s growing demands, such as for natural and clean beauty products as well as more sustainable packaging. Attendees will receive a better understanding of sustainable ingredients’ roles in product and package design, best practices and tips on how to launch new products more effectively, and strategic advice on how to refresh existing product line-ups and brands.

Designing packaging that seduces shoppers part 2

3 PM TO 4:15 PM LUXE PACK New York Conference Area-Hall 3A

Designing Packages That Seduce Shoppers with Your Product’s and Brand’s Benefits is part two of a multi-part series developed by Brand Experience: Packaging in collaboration with LUXE PACK and NYSCC, and this class continues the conversation about effective and seductive product and package design, development and innovation.

In this session, BXP’s editor-in-chief canvases the world of product and package design to bring best-in-class examples of product development and brand design across categories to bring cross-industry inspiration for beauty brands looking to: develop products that resonate with consumers on an emotional level and design strikingly effective and dynamic packaging—with sustainability, e-commerce and Omni-channel marketing strategies in mind.

The class will also investigate more effective packaging supply chain collaboration and transparency as well as consumer trends and engagement. Attendees will not only walk away with inspiration for their brands, products, and packaging but with real-world knowledge on how to bring spectacular packaged beauty products to market.

This unique collaboration will provide a full spectrum of attendee experience unlike ever before.

Source: LUXE PACK

The debut of Luxe Pack’s “EXPLORATORIUM” was a huge hit. The 32 packaging products showcased at the show entrance guided visitors to the appropriate suppliers with the specific capabilities they were sourcing. From intricate decorative finishes, high-end promotional packaging, to sustainable glass. Due to its success, “the EXPLORATORIUM’ will make a slightly larger appearance during LUXE PACK New York in May.

Also, well-received was the Turbo Talks “Green” Tour. For the first time, visitors were invited to join a 1 hour guided tour that took them to specific suppliers that presented their novel sustainable initiatives along with experts in creating packaging elements for CBD brands. The tour took place once each day and the exhibitors who participated could have not been any happier with the initiative. The tour brought the brands directly to them.

Another exciting milestone is the 40% increase of conference session attendance. 11 out of the 13 sessions were standing room only. This year’s industry experts definitely brought their “A” game of content. In addition to having the iconic Frederic FEKKAI himself at the event, pertinent topics were addressed such as the circular economy, refillable and reloadable packaging as sustainable options and white space within the CBD brand landscape. All topics truly addressed current industry pain points. Due to the great engagement between the speakers and audience after each session, a “Meet the Speakers” event may be in the works for LUXE PACK NEW YORK 2020. The conference program has always been an integral part of the LUXE PACK experience and we will continue to strive to bring the best in high level experts who really do provide added value industry insight.

Overall, the LUXE PACK team is thrilled to have put together a successful event full of substantial exchanges, impressive packaging innovations, a new variation of supplier pioneers, and the best of brands all under the Los Angeles Convention Center Roof. Next stop….LUXE PACK NEW YORK on May 6th and 7th!

Source: LUXE PACK

The three-day event will be the first of its kind catering to professionals working across a myriad of sectors from retail, to food service, to wholesalers, to hospitality and Government/ trade bodies. As a launch edition, Montgomery Group East Africa, the organisers behind KFE and KHE, have announced their intention is to give all participants and visitors an experience that will ‘educate and inspire’.

Among the brands set to take part this April are Sheffield Steel, Papyrus, G North & Son, Barry Callebault, Komari Beverages.

With onsite features planned that will include an SME Business Hub and a Conference, organisers are encouraging all attendees to take full advantage of the learning and networking opportunities these have to offer. Over the three days, there will be live demonstrations, masterclasses and tasting sessions from some of the region’s finest experts. The full line-ups for these feature areas is yet to be revealed and will be announced on the website very soon.

Working closely with the official event endorsers include Eat Out, an online directory for restaurants and booking in Kenya, the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK), Supreme Chefs 254, a chef Association with the largest Chef membership, amongst others, the Kenyan Food and Hospitality Events are expected to be the unmissable industry events of the year.

Ms Angela Kinyua, the Portfolio Director for Montgomery Group East Africa commented on the upcoming event, “We are incredibly excited to launch these exhibitions in Kenya, with experience in organising some of the food, beverage and hospitality’s most successful exhibitions in Europe and Asia, we are confident that KFE and KHE will follow suit. We’ve secured a fantastic line-up of exhibitors and a comprehensive schedule for our feature areas which will no doubt, be popular amongst attendees.” And in reference to the market itself she said, “East Africa’s tourist market has grown exponentially over the last few years, according to reports, by 2030 consumer spending on tourism in Africa will reach $262 billion*, and we believe that the Kenyan Food and Hospitality Events will leverage this trend as it connects industry professionals and bolsters spending and growth in the market.”

A visitor pass will grant attendees access to all three days and both co-located events: the Kenyan Food Event & the Kenyan Hospitality Event, and their respective feature areas. Those wishing to attend may register online at www.kenyanfoodevent.com or www.kenyanhospitalityevent.com.

Floor spaces are still available for those looking to take part, with stand prices beginning at $1,200. Simply get in touch with the relevant team member, for International enquiries, Tom Meek at Tom.Meek@montgomerygroup.com and for Kenyan enquiries, Jacob Birundu at Jacob.Birundu@montgomerygroup.com.

For more information about the event, visit www.kenyanfoodevent.com or www.kenyanhospitlaityevent.com.

Source: The Kenyan Food and Hospitality Events

The exciting new beverage will also take to the sky, as the company recently sealed an arrangement with Air Culinaire to be featured on the company’s new lifestyle menu for its private jet service on the New-York, New Jersey route.

Wine Water currently serves its portfolio of single-serve 350ml bottles designed to be enjoyed at home or social gathering They currently serve the upscale US food retail sector under a national marketing contract with UNFI, a world-leading natural food distributor. O. Vine is available also in selected natural food stores as well as on Amazon.

Food Intelligence experts at Innova Market Insights report a growing global trend for moderating alcohol consumption. A recent Innova poll (US, UK, France, Germany, China, and Brazil) revealed that 1 in 4 consumers have cut down on their alcohol consumption in recent years in pursuit of healthier lifestyles.

The Wall Street Journal reports of a slump in wine sales for the first time in 25 years as new substitutes enter the market. The Beverage Strategist points to an up and coming “Sober Curious” movement characterized by a new generation of consumers seeking novel beverage experiences with “healthier-for-you” attributes. Individuals who identify as “sober curious” are seeking to reduce alcohol consumption. The Dry January campaign has been attracting more year-on-year recruits opting to abstain from alcohol consumption throughout January in pursuit of a healthier and more moderate lifestyle.

“Sobriety is trending now in the US, with millennials, in particular, seeking value-added waters and beverages imbued with functional benefits. The younger generation is practicing more mindful drinking,” notes Bill Sipper, Managing Partner at Cascadia Managing Brands, O.Vine’s US Brand Management Company. “These segments still very much want the social experience but not the alcohol and are more than ready for innovative alternatives.”

Wine Water created its chic line of still and sparkling red and white wine grape infused waters, shaping a new category in alternative waters that sent waves across the food and beverage landscape.

Unique to the O.Vine formula is that it is composed of upcycled fruit residue from the traditional winemaking process reusing the intrinsically polyphenol-rich skins and seeds from the remains of a choice blend of wine grape varieties.

The result is a refreshing, wholly sustainable beverage that can be savored at a soirée or business lunch without any intoxicating effects, yet at the same time, it delivers antioxidant benefits naturally present in wine grapes.

 “We have noted a drop in wine sales this year and the US consumer market of alcohol drinkers is evolving. They are more health-conscious, sophisticated and sobering up somewhat and zero-booze bars are popping up across the country,” says Anat Levi, CEO, and Founder of Wine Water “Americans are expressing a desire for specialty crafted beverages that can give the same experience of enjoying an adult beverage but with a wellness and sustainable twist. It is a gap in the market that has long-awaited to be filled and O.vine does that.”

The elegantly bottled and aromatic line of O.Vine infused water beverages are natural, non-alcoholic, clean-label, contain no preservatives, added colors, or sulfites, and their blush and cream tones are naturally drawn from the raw material of the wine grape pomace.

Source: O. Vine