Vitafoods Asia 2017: strategic move to Singapore makes positive impact

Published: 25-Sep-2017

Vitafoods Asia, the only dedicated event for the nutraceutical, functional food and beverages, and dietary supplements in Asia, concluded its seventh edition on a high note, for the first time in Singapore

Held in the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, the seventh edition of Vitafoods Asia welcomed a total of 5067 industry professionals from 62 countries to discover a remarkable showcase presented by 260 global exhibitors from 40 countries that cover the entire nutraceutical supply chain.

The event enabled trade visitors to learn from over 40 world-class industry expert speakers, who shared deep insights from their wealth of experience.

Chris Lee, Managing Director at Informa Exhibitions’ Global Health & Nutrition Network, Europe, said: “The strategic relocation of Vitafoods Asia saw the show double — both in size and attendance. The quality of visitors who came through and the meaningful connections made at the event have been phenomenal. While it is never just about the numbers, we are very heartened by the industry’s response.”

Earlier, Vitafoods Asia’s relocation to Singapore generated a lot of buzz and the industry was overwhelmingly positive about the move, with expressed approval from exhibitors and visitors alike.

Camilo Suarez, Business Intelligence Director at Procaps Columbia, said: “The experience of exhibiting at this new venue has been very positive. We were looking to expand our business in Southeast Asia and many of the enquiries were made by contacts based in Singapore and ASEAN countries. We are happy with the quality and volume of leads received.”

Over the two-day event, attendees had the opportunity to uncover the latest raw materials, ingredients, finished products, equipment and services available in the market. Visitor attractions such as the Inspiration Showcase highlighted exhibitors’ best-selling products and new launches, while the International Pavilions and Omega-3 Resource Centre helped attendees zoom in on exhibitors from a certain country, or with a specific offering.

Another well-received attraction was the Tasting Centre. Here, visitors were able to see, touch, and taste an array of the latest functional finished products. Commenting on their visitor experience at the Tasting Centre, first-time attendee from Malaysia, Kambric YIN, Assistant at Sun Ten Pharmaceutical, said: “I have never seen anything like this before. The exhibitors’ varied offerings are impressive, and it is a great chance for me to compare different products all at once.”

Vitafoods Asia 2017: strategic move to Singapore makes positive impact
 

Apart from business opportunities, Vitafoods Asia also offered multiple knowledge-sharing platforms led by the some of the industry’s best minds, covering both commercial and academic standpoints.

Collectively, the learning platforms — Vitafoods Asia Conference, Innovation Theatre, and Life Stages Theatre — included content that address business challenges for a variety of job roles and business types, whether on market entry and access, scientific and technical know-how, or regulatory changes.

Dr Vincent Candrawinata, Technical Director at Renovatio Bioscience, said: “Of the many events I’ve participated in, Vitafoods Asia stands out as one of the most well-designed and organised. It’s an excellent platform for researchers like myself to share our knowledge with the right audiences. Informa has succeeded in bringing science, business, and government agencies together, which is hard to come by. Without any of these three factors, it’s hard to bring new innovations from lab to market — and Vitafoods Asia has made it easier for us.”

The eighth edition of Vitafoods Asia will be held from 11–12 September 2018 in the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

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