Asia's premier food and hotel tradeshow HOFEX 2005, will return to Hong Kong on 10-13 May 2005. Taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, HOFEX 2005 offers outstanding potential for the food and hospitality industry.

Incorporating 2 main themes – "Foodservice Equipment & Hospitality Supplies" and "Food & Drink" in the three main halls in the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, it occupies an exhibition area of 28,000sqm. Divided focus will be revealed in each hall. Hall 1 will feature array of exhibits mainly of equipment and supplies, whereas Hall 2 & 3 will feature exhibits of food and drink. The 2005 show has drawn an overwhelming participation of over 1,800 exhibiting companies from more than 40 countries with at least 30,000 qualified trade buyers who are expected to arrive from over 70 countries and regions.

Creating an international prominence where 35 national groups will convene and render their unfaltering support. The tradeshow features official national and regional pavilions of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK, the USA and more. Joining HOFEX 2005 for the first time are Indonesia and Turkey, which will both provide new exotic range of products to the purchasing trade.

Featured Sectors @ HOFEX

To achieve the greatest possible results, featured sectors within the exhibition are set up to provide a more in-depth significance on certain niche areas of food and hotel industry. To reflect the latest market trends, the following Featured Sectors are highlighted at HOFEX 2005:

Hostec-Asia
Tea & Coffee Village
Wine & Spirits Square
Spa & Resort Facilities Zone
Bakery Equipment & Ingredients Section

Hostec-Asia will have its inaugural event and seminars at HOFEX 2005. Co-organised with Accuvia, Hostec-Asia is the leading sourcing ground and networking platform for hospitality technology professionals in the region. The event has gained global sponsorship from IBM as well as corporate sponsorship from Micros and XN. The 4-day "Hostec-Asia Seminar Theatre" have boasted major players in the industry joining the Seminar Programme.

Tapping on the new wave brought about by the changing lifestyle and behavioural traits, the Tea & Coffee Village at HOFEX 2005 is set to be Asia's best tea and coffee marketplace in 2005. This initiative has gained strong support from the China Tea Marketing Association, Lao Coffee Board, Sri Lanka Tea Board and Taiwan Tea Manufacturers' Association, Animo, Atlantic Ocean Food (HK) Ltd, Bright Sun Coffee Co Ltd, Ditting Maschinen Ag, Just Java Ltd, Nestle Nespresso, Oasis Food Co, Shuan Young Ent. Co Ltd, Sun Tin Shing Co Ltd, Oranga Ltd and Yooilsystem Co Ltd. The Tea & Coffee Forum has also been created to attract importers, distributors, tea & coffee shops, bistros, retailers, restaurants and food service professionals in the Asia Pacific regions.

The Wine & Spirits Square is a one-stop shop for sommeliers and F&B professionals to interact with local and foreign wine suppliers, makers, wholesalers and distributors in an enlivening atmosphere. Sample wines from different national countries as well as gain significant insight and information at the Sommelier Wine Class.

The Spa & Resort Facilities Zone will make its debut in HOFEX 2005, introducing the latest products and trends in Asia Pacific. Pure Spa Asia and Deckelmann Wellness will present the latest spa designs and concepts, as well as equipments and technologies. Spa and resorts related products will also be showcased including outdoor furniture and spa accessories from Falcon Products Inc, Grupokettal, MDF International Ltd, Resource Asia Ltd, Frette Pacific Ltd, Pacific Rim Trading, Hang Hing, Hopeful Weaving, Roscontract, Total Concept, Matrix, Pacific Harvest and more.
 
The Bakery Equipment & Ingredients Section, an expanded section will showcase the latest innovative technology of bakery equipment and related ingredients. Key market leaders, such as Kolb (H.K.) Ltd, Greenfield Worldtrade Inc., La Rose Noire Holdings Ltd, The H.K. Electric Co., Ltd, The Garden Co Ltd, Bourgeois and more will exhibit the latest innovation and technologies to buyers in the region.

Concurrent Events @ HOFEX

As a progressive tradeshow, HOFEX brings several informative and networking events to key decision makers in the international food & hospitality fields. They are the Regional Hotel General Managers Forum, Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2005, Asia Pacific Regional Cocktail Competition 2005, F&B Discussion, Foodservice Consultants Society International – Asia Pacific Conference and more.

The Regional Hotel General Managers Forum has established itself as a networking platform where hoteliers from the Asia-Pacific region share experiences, knowledge and new ideas with the objective of boosting the hospitality industry. Some 150 top general managers from leading hotel chains are expected to gather for this year's Forum which will focus on hotel legislation, service standards and the impact of low cost carriers. And, in view of the hotel and tourism boom in China, interesting and highly anticipated topics relating to China hotel industry will also be addressed by the China Tourist Hotels Association.

The Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2005, a four-day culinary competition has a greater and prestigious representation of 8 international judges and over 400 participants. With enormous support from both local and overseas chefs associations including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, this event would achieve the greatest possible result. The competition comprises 6 main categories: Western Cuisine, Live Bakery, Chinese Cuisine, Pastry, Ice Carving and Gourmet Team Challenge.

With enormous support from bartenders associations worldwide, the judging panel of Asia Pacific Regional Cocktail Competition 2005 is formulated by the various Bartenders Associations from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines. On top of it, Mr. Yoshiaki Sawai, Advisor of International Bartenders Association (IBA), will present as one of the judges. In the forthcoming three-day competition, more than 80 bartenders from Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines will be competing at the Cocktail Competition this year. 

Steve Shellum, Publisher/ Editor of Hotel Asia Pacific Magazine, will act as the moderator of the F&B Discussion. The theme is based on "cutting-edge trends" reflecting the current topics and trends that would be of great interest to the F&B professionals. Four speakers of vast expertise and experience are elected to present each speech, taking into consideration of current challenges, opportunities and future development.
 
With resounding past track record at HOFEX, the Foodservice Consultants Society International – Asia Pacific Conference returns to HOFEX 2005 to provide comprehensive topics on operations, management and facilities design to foodservice operators.

A Chinese Restaurant Management Seminar, co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) Chai Wan, is pleased to invite Mr Yeung Koon Yat, founder of ‘Ah Yat Abalone' as a special guest to demonstrate his superb culinary skills and share his invaluable experiences in brand building.

Lastly, the Cold Chain seminar, co-organised by Guangdong Cold Chain & Storage Association and Purchase Magazine, will be held alongside a fully integrated HOFEX. Industry experts will be invited to present their views on logistic management and operation. In addition, new international standard of cold chain as well as innovative and advanced cold chain supplies will be introduced.

Visitors Pre-registration

Apart from the list of events, HOFEX 2005 has launched the visitor pre-registration for early registration to beat the crowd and enjoy special privileges, such as free admission badge, 50% off Show Directory and lucky draws. Visitors can pre-register online at www.hofex.com before 20th April 2005. A group pre-registration has been created for visitors in an identified group of 15 or more. Visitors belonging to this group can contact Ms Vivian Lui via email at Vivian@hkesallworld.com or by phone at +852 2804 1500 to arrange for a personalised group pre-registration service.

Bringing people of the highest calibre from the international F&B industry, HOFEX 2005 is truly a useful and wholesome platform. The organisers believe that with the expertise, counsel and constant support of the regional supporting associations and sponsors as well as the industry at large, the 2005 show will definitely be another acclaimed success.