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What Does the Second Half of 2024 Have in Store for Us? Here Are the Top Events!

WorldFood Istanbul 2024: September 3rd – 6th; Istanbul, Turkey

WorldFood Istanbul has become a cornerstone event for the food and beverage industry, catering to the Middle Eastern and Asian markets. If you want to discover the next generation of food products and technologies, celebrate the rich diversity of flavours and cuisines, and tap into harder-to-reach markets, then this is where you need to be!

WorldFood Istanbul 2024 is looking forward to beating its previous attendance level, which was 835 international exhibitors representing over 1000 brands, 38,358 international trade visitors and over 600 hosted buyers. This diverse and vibrant gathering makes WorldFood Istanbul a vital communication and information hub for the industry. Explore food and drink products across 16 categories. Enhancing the WorldFood Istanbul experience is a captivating event program featuring a range of formats designed to inform and inspire. The Business Development Conference will offer insights into sustainability, trends, and technological advancements, providing valuable knowledge for industry professionals. The Food Masters Class, Food Tech Garage, and Waste-Free Cuisine Workshops celebrate chefs and business innovators eager to explore new culinary destinations while embracing environmentally friendly kitchen practices.

Picture: WorldFood Istanbul

Salon du Vegetal 2024: September 10th – 12th; Angers, France

Salon du Végétal is the life force behind the agrarian industry in rural France. Over the three-day event, 10,000 visitors will come face to face with 1,000 exhibitors, whose offerings range from seeds and adult plants to equipment and specialised services. The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into three sectors: Plants, Equipment, Materials and Inputs, and Services and Sector. This structured approach ensures that every aspect of the plant industry is represented.

One of the standout features of the event is the Plant Courtyard, a dedicated exhibition space for plants within the larger show. Located in the mixed zone, it welcomes both professionals and the general public. Designed as a lively village square, the Plant Courtyard offers a dynamic ambiance that can shift between energetic and serene moments. Salon du Végétal also boasts a rich event program that enhances the exhibition experience. Attendees can participate in various workshops, seminars, and conferences that cover a wide range of topics, from gardening and floristry to health, wellbeing, and the latest trends in plant-based products. These events provide valuable insights and learning opportunities, making Salon du Végétal not just an exhibition, but a comprehensive educational experience.

Picture: Salon du Vegetal

SPIEL 2024: October 3rd – 6th; Essen, Germany

SPIEL, the internationally renowned game fair, returns to Essen, Germany, in October 2024. This iconic event has grown into a major procurement platform and trendsetter. As an exhibitor, you’re going to compete with 1,200 fellow exhibitors for the attention of 209,000 international visitors that travel from near and far. Celebrated for its inclusivity and vibrant atmosphere, SPIEL is open to everyone. The event celebrates play in all its forms: interactive games, movement games, adult games, games of skill, toys, t-shirts, action figures, figurines, board games, card games, comic books, action books, original comic artwork, post games, and even computer games.

One of the main attractions of SPIEL is the Novelty Show, which kicks off on Wednesday following a press conference attended by hundreds of media representatives. This segment offers exhibitors the right space to present their latest games to players, media representatives, and retailers. The Novelty Show provides free tables for exhibitors to creatively showcase their newest titles, with options to book special areas for more elaborate presentations. In addition to the bustling exhibition floors, SPIEL features several key events and highlights. One of the most anticipated is the Deutsche Spiele Preis (DSP) awards.

Picture: SPIEL

Frankfurt Book Fair 2024: October 16th – 20th; Frankfurt, Germany

If you’re thinking about events for the publishing industry, then you’re probably thinking of the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) – one of a kind in scope, scale and support for every single professional involved in the publication sector. Look at the numbers! On average, you’re likely to connect with over 73,000 visitors from 100+ nations. The expanses of Messe Frankfurt are overtaken by over 2,000 exhibitors from 80 countries.

The fair shines the spotlight on all genres including fiction and non-fiction, religious texts, youth and children's books, scientific and technological publications, art books, tourism guides, visual arts, and international literature. Exhibitors are grouped into international publishers, fiction and non-fiction, literary agents and scouts, STM and academic publishing, specialist information, art books, education, religion, service providers for publishers and bookstores, and children's and young adult media. The heart of the fair is the Congress Center, where bestselling authors perform readings and large-scale performances in the Harmonie Hall, which accommodates up to 1,800 spectators. Adjacent rooms host events for up to 150 participants, offering state-of-the-art event technology. Another highlight is the Frankfurt Studio Festival, a stage dedicated to authors, new publications, products, and innovations. These events are recorded, professionally edited, and uploaded to the Frankfurter Buchmesse Media Library, accessible for a full year.

Picture: Frankfurt Book Fair

SWOP 2024: November 18th – 20th; Shanghai, China

SWOP (Shanghai World of Packaging) is set to take center stage this November at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and join together the major players of China's packaging industry for a powerful knowledge exchange and high-stakes business negotiations. SWOP is a must-attend for manufacturers from food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, non-food, and industrial goods. It’s an essential platform for sourcing new solutions, staying informed about emerging trends, and exploring the latest market offerings.s

With over 200 top manufacturers expected to participate, SWOP 2024 promises a comprehensive showcase of the entire packaging value chain. Exhibitors span various product groups, such as packaging and printing, paper boxes, metal, plastic, spray pumps, and more. This year, the FMCG Infinity Zone, in collaboration with PKG Home for the fourth time, aims to foster a robust communication platform and exchange centre, creating a valuable ecosystem for the FMCG packaging market. This sector is poised for continued growth, with transactions expected to reach RMB 442.8 billion.

Picture: SWOP