World's Leading Food Ingredients Event Organiser Launches in Istanbul

AMSTERDAM, April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the OECD, Turkey ranks number seven in the world for agricultural production after USA, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Japan. These countries coincide with the world's leading food ingredients markets as well as the locations of UBM Live's most successful Food ingredients geo-adaptations to date.

To date no dedicated food ingredients event has been established in this region. Turkey's growing economy and Istanbul's strategic geographical positioning as the only city in the world that bridges two continents, Europe and Asia, together with its deep economic and cultural ties to the Middle East and Northern Africa provides the strategic drive for UBM Live to successfully launch Fi Istanbul in May 2013.

Natasha Berrow, Brand Director, Food Portfolio, UBM Live, provides her viewpoint: "Our strategy is to establish events where our customers most need them. It was clear from an early stage that the opportunity offered by Turkey and the surrounding regions hit all our criteria. Fi Istanbul will provide our customers with a unique opportunity to further explore and develop into this truly exciting market."

In addition, a number of positive factors create the ideal environment to launch a new geo-adaptation of the Food ingredients brand in Turkey. Turkey and the surrounding Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East and CIS countries have relatively under developed food markets. Economic growth, new government health policy, expansion of multiple, mass market retailers, influx of international ingredients companies and food manufacturers create a valuable and timely opportunity for our latest geo adaptation.  

We have also secured the exclusive support of The Association of Food Additives and Ingredients Manufacturers (GIDAKAT). GIDAKAT are working with the Turkish Health Ministry, Academic Institutions and Food Manufacturers to meet the challenges identified in the Government's nutrition strategy. Dr Mehmet Duruk, Chairman of GIDAKAT, commented: "We are delighted to be in partnership with UBM to create a successful Fi Istanbul.  This new event will create the perfect platform to shape the future of our industry."

This launch is aligned with our strategy to extend the Fi brand into new regions where we have the opportunity to engage with new customers and also present new business opportunities to our existing client base. To date, multiple blue-chip food ingredient manufacturers and solution providers have already signed on or have indicated a strong desire to participate.

Following the success of the Food ingredients geo-adaptations, Food ingredients Istanbul promises to deliver:

• A high level, dedicated ingredients event focused on innovation
• A regional event targeting the CIS, Middle East, Southern Europe and North Africa
• Bespoke features to emphasise innovation will include free-to-attend innovation theatres on the show floor and tasting sessions
• Co-located with a high-level technical conference featuring opinion leaders from Government, Academia and Industry with workshops, round tables and plenary sessions
• Exclusive association support from The Association of Food Additives and Ingredients Manufacturers (GIDAKAT)

Taking place on 7-9 May 2013, Fi Istanbul will create a meeting point for food innovation, business and trade. The event is targeted to attract over 3,000 visitors with 50% from Turkey and 50% from the surrounding regions. The audience will include food technologists, R&D, marketing and business development executives with a common interest in new product development.

About the organiser

UBM Live is a division of UBMplc, which is headquartered in London, UK. The office in the Netherlands is the organiser of the world-leading Health ingredients, Food ingredients, CPhi, ICSE and Informex series of food and pharmaceutical ingredients trade shows. The Dutch office also publishes International Food Ingredients Magazine and organises related conference activities. For more information, visit http://www.ingredientsnetwork.com

About Food ingredients

The Food ingredients portfolio hosts the world's leading food, natural and health ingredients trade shows. Since 1986, the Food ingredients exhibitions have become the established meeting place for all stakeholders in the food ingredients industry. Over the last 25 years more than 500,000 people have attended our shows across the globe and as a result have contracted billions of euros worth of business deals.  For more information about our portfolio of events and products, please visit http://www.ingredientsnetwork.com/events

For further information regarding Fi Istanbul, please direct your inquiries accordingly:

Natasha Berrow
Brand Director, UBM Live
de Entree 73, Toren A, 1101 BH
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel: +31(0)20-40-99-514
Natasha.Berrow@ubm.com

Press contact
Courtney Rol
Marketing Manager, UBM Live
de Entree 73, Toren A, 1101 BH
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel: +31(0)20-40-99-546
Courtney.rol@ubm.com