Anuga 2021 Exceeds Expectations And Proves Once Again Its Leading Role
Anuga is the global food & beverage industry’s leading business event. It is where professionals gather to learn about the latest megatrends and innovations. The 36th edition of the fair took place as a hybrid event. It attained remarkably high attendance numbers. Over 4600 exhibitors and over 70 000 visitors attended despite the ongoing pandemic. Such numbers showed that hosting fairs of such dimensions during the pandemic is possible. The event set a new internationality attendance benchmark. According to participants, the edition was a success. Anuga 2023 will take place between 7.10.2023 and 11.10.2023.
The 36th edition of Anuga, the leading F&B industry trade show, took place between 9.10.2021 and 13.10.2021. Messe Cologne once again was the hosting location of the event, which took place as a hybrid fair. Anuga 2021 consisted of a face-to-face exhibition and a complementing novel digital platform. The platform was Anuga@home and provided attendees with ample participation opportunities. Among them was accessing the support programme, such as the conferences. It also included networking and exhibition opportunities. Among them were attendees being able to take part in virtual cafés and meetings.
The face-to-face aspect of Anuga 2021 featured the latest COVID-19 prevention measures. Among them was maintaining social distance and participants presenting valid health documents. The themes of the edition placed a high focus on transformation and optimism. The central theme #Transform focused on how to create a more sustainable food system. This theme was reflected in the high number of presented sustainable production products. This was furthermore shown in the increased amount of alternative protein products. Sustainable production was also a discussion topic during the New Food Conference. This included subjects such as organic brands as drivers of transformation.
Anuga 2021 received an impressive number of participants — 4643 exhibitors and over 70 000 visitors. This showed the importance of face-to-face meetings for the industry. It also showed that hosting events such as Anuga during the pandemic is possible. Furthermore, such high attendance numbers signify the industry’s readiness to restart. Attendees represented a total of 169 countries. The highest number of international attendants was within the exhibitor group. 92% of the exhibitors were from countries other than Germany. Exhibitors and visitors provided positive feedback about Anuga 2021. Visitors, for instance, praised the diverse support programme and the organisation quality. Exhibitors emphasised the quality of the networking opportunities, including forming new contacts. The digital platform also received high praise for its diversity and complementing ability.
According to all participants, the 2021 edition of Anuga was a great success. Organisers also consider the fair to be successful given the ongoing pandemic. They have also announced that preparations for Anuga 2023 are in progress. The 2023 edition of Anuga will take place at Messe Cologne from the 7th to the 11th of October 2023. Anuga 2023 will also take place as a hybrid event. Anuga@home will remain available on demand.
