Vitafoods Europe 2013: Nutraceutical Inspiration and Insights Under One Roof

The premier exhibition focusing exclusively on ingredients and raw materials for the nutraceutical, dietary supplement and functional food and drink industries, Vitafoods Europe, will once again set the agenda with brand new visitor attractions and an in-depth conference programme when it returns to Geneva on 14-16 May this year.

11 Feb 2013 --- The event, which is renowned for its high-quality content, is co-located with Finished Products Europe, Europe’s leading functional food and drink and dietary supplement exhibition, enabling visitors to see the full cycle of product innovation from ingredients to shelf.

With less than four months until the doors open, stand space is almost sold-out with over 600 suppliers set to display their latest innovations and products to more than 12,500 visitors over the course of the three-day event. Major industry players including BASF, Croda, DSM, Lonza and Naturex are already signed up, alongside 70 companies making their first appearance at the show. First-time exhibitors include Alesco, Inabata, PL Thomas, Pharma Marine and PureCircle.

The prestigious Vitafoods Europe Conference which runs in parallel with the exhibition will tackle some of the industry’s most pertinent issues and underline key updates in regulation, ingredient innovation and academic research. The 2013 programme will build on the success of 2012, under the direction of the Vitafoods Europe Conference Executive Advisory Board, and will this year take on a new format. Longer sessions will enable more in-depth presentations from high-calibre speakers from global universities, academies, research bodies and commercial organisations. Topics to be covered include preventative health and immunity, gut health and brain and mind health. There will also be more time between sessions so delegates and speakers can network with exhibitors and visitors within the exhibition.

In addition to the scientific and commercial sessions at the conference, a brand new Nutra Insights Hub will feature presentations on key market trends. The seminars will allow attendees to learn more about opportunities for growth and innovation to form marketing and business strategies. Poster Sessions will also return to the show floor with a more prominent position, giving researchers an opportunity to share their scientific projects and discuss ideas, applications and potential investment opportunities for the future.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear more about exhibitors’ new product launches and case studies at the Seminar Theatre located on the show floor. The New Products Zone at the entrance to the show, will act as inspiration for visitors as they seek out the most recent ingredient innovations for their new product development pipelines. VitaTrend, in association with Innova Market Insights, returns providing an interactive space in which to discover emerging trends that will impact product development, covering diverse topics from healthy ageing and protein popularity to ‘free-from’ claims and sweet alternatives to sugar.

Always popular, EAS Strategic Advice will offer visitors free regulatory advice in one-to-one sessions tailored to their company’s specific requirements. Here, visitors can learn more about product formulas, labelling and claims to help them navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

To give visitors an insight into what’s new in the industry, Innovation Tours, in conjunction with NutriMarketing, will be a new addition for 2013. Free-to-attend, visitors will be able to book tours which will take them from stand-to-stand to explore core industry themes, with exhibitors offering mini presentations and tasting sessions.

What’s more, the Service Pavilion will house service and equipment suppliers enabling visitors can easily target companies offering services including consulting and contract manufacturing, regulatory assistance and process and pilot information. Visitors can also meet with exhibitors from specific parts of the world including Belgium, China, France, Korea, India and the USA in the International Pavilions.

Running alongside Vitafoods Europe, will be the growing Finished Products Europe event. This year it will host over 175 global exhibitors – its largest number yet – displaying a full range of nutraceutical and dietary supplement products for retail distribution. The Tasting Bar will give visitors the opportunity to sample some of the most exciting products in the functional food and drinks market and cast their vote to decide a winner in each category.

“We’ve added new content to Vitafoods Europe 2013 to ensure the exhibition and conference remains the most focused in the industry,” comments Vitafoods Portfolio Director Chris Lee. “Vitafoods Europe is a global meeting place for professionals in the nutraceuticals industry and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors through the show doors for another exciting edition in 2013.”