IEG, listed on the main market on Euronext Milan, with its 60 trade shows and 150 events, over 700 employees in Italy and around the world and offices in Rimini, Vicenza, Milan, Arezzo, Dubai, São Paulo, New York, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, is one of the world´s main trade show organizers.

EMECA, based in Brussels and chaired by Elżbieta Roeske, has acted as the European Major Exhibition Centres Association since 1992. It unites Europe´s 25 most important exhibition venues, including Italian Exhibition Group´s Rimini and Vicenza Expo Centres.

EMECA members collectively organize 2,000 trade shows per year with 400,000 exhibitors and 38.5 million visitors on an exhibition area of 38 million square metres. Europe currently hosts most of the leading international trade shows and accounts for almost half of the global market share.

EMECA´s role includes promoting its members at a European and global level in the context of industrial alliances with the main government institutions.

Carlo Costa, born in 1968, is originally from Turin but has lived in Fano for 26 years where he is an extremely active voluntary worker. Married to Mariarosa, he has two children, Giovanni and Giacomo. He graduated in Economics and Commerce at Turin University and began his career in Financial Management at Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.

While working at the coffee giant, he also participated in the study, establishment and management of a treasury company agency in the customs area of Dublin. He then moved to the IFAS Group in Turin, which was then one of the automotive sector´s most important dealers controlled by a Milanese investment fund.

In 2001 he joined the then Ente Autonomo Fiera di Rimini, accompanying it during its transformation into a joint-stock company and in all its major operations: M&A in Italy and abroad, integration with Fiera di Vicenza – which gave rise to Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A. -, and the stock exchange listing. In 2022, he moved to the Grana Padano Protection Consortium, the most consumed PDO product in the world. In 2024 he rejoined the Italian Exhibition Group with the top role of CCO.

At EMECA´s last general assembly, the members, coming from all over Europe, focused on exhibition scenario planning, on the sales growth recorded in 2025 and prospective growth for 2026.

Further main issues at the Assembly reflected on the challenges that have arisen from the uncertain geopolitical context, on investments in decarbonisation, exhibition venue renovation, and new multifunctional spaces. Digitalisation, personalized services, security and cybersecurity were also spotlighted.

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Presented to the international press during Host 2025, the agreement with NAFEM – North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers marks a decisive step toward one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive markets. According to the National Restaurant Association, the U.S. out-of-home sector is currently worth over 1.4 trillion dollars, with growth of +10.5% expected by 2030.

The collaboration between Fiera Milano and NAFEM will create synergies between Host Milano and The NAFEM Show, offering exhibitors cross-visibility and new opportunities to access both European and American markets.

The first joint event will take place in Orlando from 11 to 13 February 2027, followed by Host Milano 2027, confirming a development path that brings together experiences, content and business across two continents.

In turn, the Gulf region has become a testing ground for changing consumer trends. In Saudi Arabia alone, by 2030 an estimated 362,000 new hotel rooms will be built, representing an investment of 110 billion dollars, while total investments in tourism are expected to reach nearly 800 billion dollars.

Within this context, Host Arabia was created to capture these developments and turn them into concrete opportunities, becoming a platform where the hospitality supply chains meet qualified demand through real projects — from contract design to foodservice, and from food retail to travel and entertainment.

Born from the collaboration with Semark, organiser of Saudi HORECA, and realised with the support of ITA – Italian Trade Agency, the event will bring the Host model to the Middle East, featuring a programme dedicated to promoting Made in Italy excellence and focusing on networking, selected buyers and professional training. The project combines local market expertise with Fiera Milano’s international vision, building bridges between cultures and industries in a region undergoing profound transformation.

To encourage cross-selling and create new opportunities without impacting operators’ schedules, both events will be held alongside those organised by the respective local partners.

The partnerships with NAFEM and Semark mark two key milestones in Fiera Milano’s global expansion strategy, which integrates innovation, sustainability and internationalisation as the core pillars of its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. This path positions Host Milano as a platform in constant dialogue with global markets, capable of generating value and relationships well beyond the days of the exhibition.

The journey continues with the event’s long-standing milestone: Host will return to Fiera Milano from 22 to 26 October 2027, ready to reaffirm its role as a meeting point for the visions, technologies and cultures of global hospitality.

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The market thermometer: “Over the last twelve months, 3.2 billion desserts were consumed outside the home in the five main European countries. The category grew by 6% in Europe: dessert is still an essential pleasure, even in a context of more cautious spending,” explains Matteo Figura, Out of Home sector expert and Foodservice Director at Circana Italia.

Master pastry chef Luigi Biasetto, AMPI academic and member of Relais Dessert, provides the confirmation: “October 2025 saw a 28% increase in leavened products compared to 2024, and abroad the results are extraordinary: +28% in Paris, +40% in New York, +80% in Hong Kong. For Christmas 2025, we are presenting a ‘superfood’ panettone with wholemeal flour, seeds, thyme honey and turmeric, perfected through extensive ageing tests.”

Rome-born Marta Boccanera, pastry chef and vice-president of APEI, emphasises: “For this Christmas, we have created a purple panettone with wholemeal flour rich in anthocyanins (natural pigments found in fruits and flowers), enriched with pistachio and wild strawberry cream.”

On the European front, José Miguel Moreno, president of the Confederación Española de Pastelería: “Panettone is increasingly popular and the pistachio variety is the most sought after. Families are buying in advance and online orders, which are changing the seasonality of our industry, are on the rise.”

Antonio Bachour, one of America’s most influential pastry chefs, offers an international perspective: “Christmas trends are showing a return to traditional tastes reinterpreted using modern techniques. Consumers are looking for distinct flavours, light textures and refined presentations. For Christmas 2025, we are working on desserts that combine elegance and memories of the past.”

Denise Vagni, an emerging pastry chef from Rimini, Italy, completes the picture: “Panettone is a richer and more engaging dessert, able to offer a multisensory experience. Customers love to personalise their slice with a piping bag filled with pistachio or salted caramel cream.”

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The initiative combines Anuga’s international expertise with IFEMA MADRID’s leading position to reinforce the Iberian Peninsula as a key hub for the sector.

Anuga Select Ibérica will merge Meat Attraction and InterSICOP—now evolving into Bakery & Ice Cream Attraction—two well-established IFEMA MADRID events. Under the Anuga brand, the new fair expands its scope to additional food and beverage segments, with the goal of attracting more exhibitors, professionals, and business opportunities.

Spain and Portugal are positioned as strategic markets and a gateway between Europe, Latin America, and North Africa. With this project, both institutions aim to harness the region’s export potential and strengthen international commercial ties.

The agreement was signed in Madrid by Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse, and Daniel Martínez, Executive Vice President of IFEMA MADRID, who highlighted the project’s importance for the development of the industry and Madrid’s international projection as a trade fair platform.

Anuga Select Ibérica stands as a joint commitment to boosting the future of the food industry in the Iberian Peninsula, offering broader content, a global outlook, and a strong commitment to innovation.

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At INTERNORGA, leading brands, ambitious start-ups and industry experts come together to show how taste, technology and sustainability interact and which trends will shape the business in the coming year.

Classics reimagined – diversity with a future

Whether cold brew, nitro coffee, specialty blends or classic espresso: coffee remains one of the most important luxury products in the food service and hospitality market. Exhibitors such as WMF, Melitta, JURA, Rheavendors, Astoria and Coffee Colorato will be presenting new developments in aroma, extraction and customisation, and showing how modern brewing techniques can deliver impressive quality even at high speeds. INTERNORGA has valuable answers for all businesses that want to delight their guests with consistently good quality.

Tech meets taste

Intelligent functions, intuitive operation and optimised processes ensure that technology and taste go hand in hand. Whether for cafés, bakeries or chain restaurants: discover at INTERNORGA how sustainable coffee technology can make your everyday work easier and set new standards in service.

Exchange, knowledge, orientation

On stages such as the OPEN STAGE, experts share their insights and best practices on coffee trends, concepts and new business models. Networking areas such as the OFF THE RECORD meeting and after-work lounge offer space for discussions, questions, visions and valuable networking.

INTERNORGA – the Global Platform for Hospitality and Foodservice – takes place from 13 – 17 March 2026 in Hamburg.

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Madrid opens new market agendas

A comparative analysis has shown that Spain is currently one of the most dynamic markets in Europe for out-of-home consumption. Circana data presented during the roadshow demonstrate that, among the main European countries (France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and Germany), overall growth in the first nine months of 2025 was +1.8% compared to the previous year. Spain recorded an increase of +2.4% and is the country with the highest growth in both spending at foodservice establishments and the number of visits.

In this context, gelato parlours and pastry shops are still central elements in contemporary urban concepts as identifying components of the gastronomic experience, able to combine artisan quality and replicable models.

The journey will proceed to Rimini, where direct working agendas between Italian companies and Spanish groups have already been planned. The exhibition destination will also be more easily accessible due to direct flights not only from Munich but also from Madrid, thus favouring the participation of buyers, chains and international operators.

India Guest Country 2026

Another strategic focus is India, which will be attending SIGEP World as guest country with a delegation of buyers, media representatives and institutions: a rapidly developing market interested in advanced food service and hospitality models.

Gelato as a speciality skill integrated into the food service industry

One of the central themes of SIGEP World 2026 will be gelato, the Italian frozen dessert, as a professional speciality to be integrated into the menus of restaurant chains, hotels and cafés. Thanks to Gelato Meets Chains and the international “What is Gelato?” campaign, gelato is being promoted as a speciality skill and business opportunity: restaurant chains, hotel groups and coffee shops will therefore have the tools to integrate the Italian frozen dessert permanently into their menus, transforming it into a distinctive element of their offer.

New scenarios for hotels and coffee shops: Two observatories on the changing market

The Luxury Hotel Food Experience will highlight emerging trends in high-end hotels through authoritative contributions and strategic visions from the academic world, food & beverage managers of large chains and pastry chefs. An operational discussion on service aesthetics, gastronomic identity and new forms of experience in premium contexts.

The Innovation Bar, on the other hand, will address the more concrete aspect of the market: how bars are changing. Intelligent robotics, optimized workflows, coffee specialities as a language rather than a fad, without forgetting new ways of consuming the beverage.

Pizza (R)Evolution: The entire supply chain takes the stage at the Expo

The pizza project is growing with the entire supply chain getting organized: toppings, dough, technologies, service models. The Pizza Arena, together with Vision Plaza, will provide a lively observatory on trends and methods with exceptional partners, including 50 Top Pizzas and international training organisations.

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At Host 2025, innovation extended far beyond the exhibition halls: it took shape in a programme of over 800 events that, through talks, masterclasses and competitions, transformed the exhibition into an unparalleled opportunity for learning and exchange. For five days, industry professionals engaged with renowned masters, discovered emerging trends, and experienced original formats that blended technical expertise, creativity and vision.

Three new formats for three “hot” sectors

This edition’s debuts drew particular attention, starting with sCIOCk – Chocolate in Motion, the format conceived by maître chocolatier Davide Comaschi together with an international team of experts. The initiative explored the culture, science and business of chocolate, featuring leading figures such as Julien Dechenaud, Fabrice Gillotte and Iginio Massari.

Another successful debut was Host Talks – Beyond the Cup, a space dedicated to the future of coffee, organised in collaboration with M25 Consulting. The event featured leading voices from the industry, including Enrico Dandolo, CEO of the Gualtiero Marchesi Academy, coffee scientist Andrej Godina, and Jeffrey Joung, analyst at Allegra Strategies, who presented valuable market data and global insights. Reaffirming its role as the world’s leading hub for the coffee sector, the SIC – International Coffee Show also hosted 100 Years of Espresso Made in Italy, an unprecedented exhibition of historic coffee machines in collaboration with the Mumac, Bakke and Langkemper collections, as well as the Coffee Addition masterclasses led by Gianni Cocco, exploring the encounter between coffee and cocoa through tasting experiences.

Completing the line-up of new features, Bakery Square confirmed the strong interest in the Art of Baking: a new event arena that brought together master bakers from around the world — including Belgium, China, Croatia, Luxembourg, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland — in dialogue with Italian professionals such as Biagio Caliendo, Nicola Iacovera, David Nasello, Simone Orlando, Paolo Zambarda and Fabrizio Zucchi. The programme extended beyond the arena to the Centro Stella Polare, which hosted the conference Fermenti di Sapienza: Il Lievito Madre, alongside the Bread and Well-being sessions curated by the Bakers’ Association of the Milan Traders Association, focused on the health benefits of sourdough and contemporary breadmaking.

An increasingly prestigious Award and many more events

Among the highlights of this edition was the return of the Smart Label – Host Innovation Award, promoted by Fiera Milano and Host Milano in collaboration with POLI.design and under the patronage of ADI – Association for Industrail Design. This year, the jury selected 25 winning projects out of more than 150 entries from around the world, showcased in a dedicated area. The awarded solutions highlighted key trends such as digitalization, sustainability, artificial intelligence and advanced sensor technology, along with eco-friendly and “made-to-last” materials. Among the most intriguing products were a hand-held espresso machine, a dispenser that spreads fresh butter on bread, and a set of infusion filters with mesh designs tailored to each essence.

Among the events that completed the programme were the Design Talks, organised with POLI.design and sponsored by NEWH – The Hospitality Industry Network, which explored key topics such as well-being and sensory design, technologies to enhance user experience, sustainability as a new mindset, and emerging models of hospitality. Contemporary hospitality spaces also took centre stage in #HotelSocialAreas by BWH Hotels, while the Luxury Food & Beverage Quality Awards celebrated excellence in out-of-home food and beverage products.

The focus on food, skills and technology took centre stage in the events most dedicated to the restaurant industry. Smart Food – Smart Chefs – Smart Future, organised by APCI – Professional Association of Italian Chefs, emphasised “green” and “smart” as the key concepts to make every initiative more relevant, while the FIC Academy of the Italian Federation of Chefs highlighted chefs’ expertise through a perspective of continuous training. The show-cooking sessions curated by A.P.Pa.Fre. – Association of Fresh Pasta SME Producers showcased the potential of an icon of Italian cuisine. The FCSI EAME seminars shed light on technologies and formats for the restaurants of the future and, finally, FIPE Space – Home of Public Establishments organized by the Italian Federation of Public Establishments became a stage for an open discussion on the future of foodservice.

In the meantime, the path towards the next edition has already begun: the appointment is at Fiera Milano from 22 to 26 October 2027.

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Marking the first event of its kind in Bahrain, the festival will celebrate the art, culture, and creativity of coffee, bringing together coffee lovers, artisans, and professionals from across the region and around the world. Over five vibrant days, the festival will feature an exciting mix of competitions, workshops, cultural experiences, and tasting sessions, offering a dynamic platform for both enthusiasts and industry experts. It aims to strengthen Bahrain’s position as a destination for cultural and lifestyle events while enhancing visibility for local coffee brands and connecting them to the global specialty coffee community.

The event also provides hands-on training opportunities led by international barista champions and coffee experts, reflecting Bahrain’s warm hospitality and contributing to the growth of tourism by attracting coffee enthusiasts from across the region and beyond.
Following the success of the Dubai Coffee Festival 2024, the Bahrain edition continues DXB LIVE’s mission to expand its flagship coffee festivals to other cities, as part of its wider strategy to extend its expertise as an event organizer and integrated event services provider beyond the UAE.

Commenting on the announcement, Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President at DXB LIVE, said: “The Bahrain Coffee Festival 2025 is a natural extension of our success story with the Dubai Coffee Festival. We are excited to bring this unique concept to Bahrain — a country known for its vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and growing passion for specialty coffee. This festival represents more than an event; it is a celebration of creativity, community, and collaboration. Through this initiative, we aim to foster meaningful connections across the coffee industry, support local and regional brands, and deliver an experience that blends education, entertainment, and culture in a way that only DXB Live can.”

The festival’s main program will present a variety of competitions that highlight creativity and skill in coffee-making, including the Latte Art Championship, which celebrates artistic expression on coffee surfaces, the Coffee Tasting Challenge that tests participants’ sensory perception and flavor recognition, the Speed Barista Race, the Home Brewers Contest, and the Best Milk Coffee Award. Alongside these competitions, the event will offer an extensive schedule of educational and practical workshops covering every aspect of the coffee craft. Topics will range from brewing techniques such as V60 and AeroPress, to Barista Essentials, Introduction to Specialty Coffee, Latte Art for Beginners, Flavor Profiling and Aroma Analysis, the relationship between water and coffee, Roasting Fundamentals, and advanced sessions on brand innovation, packaging design, café startup guidance, and espresso machine maintenance.

Beyond competitions and workshops, the festival promises a rich cultural and entertainment experience. Visitors will enjoy live coffee art painting sessions, coffee and dessert pairing experiences, and demonstrations of traditional Arabic coffee protocol. The event will also feature an art corner and a mini coffee museum that traces the rich history and cultural journey of this cherished beverage. Other attractions include “Coffee Around the World” tasting journeys, discussions on the future of sustainability in the coffee industry, a documentary screening on the journey of coffee, and the Coffee & Music Lounge that blends aroma, flavor, and sound in a relaxed and immersive setting.

By hosting this landmark event, DXB LIVE reaffirms its position as one of the leading event management companies in the region, capable of delivering end-to-end experiences that combine creativity, innovation, and authentic hospitality. The Bahrain Coffee Festival 2025 underscores DXB LIVE’s commitment to enhancing cultural and commercial connections across the region through exceptional events that celebrate the passion, artistry, and global influence of coffee.

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The figures speak for themselves: 2,050 exhibitors from 52 countries and over 700 highly profiled hosted buyers from around the world—thanks also to the collaboration with ITA – Italian Trade Agency—along with a steady rise in visitors from every continent.

While Europe confirmed its strength, with notable growth from countries such as Denmark (+45%) and Germany (+16%), double-digit increases were even more striking in non-European markets including Brazil (+29%), the United States (+27%), the United Arab Emirates (+21%) and Australia (+20%).

Not just a global business hub, but also a stage for creativity

With more than 800 events featuring over 3,000 contributors—including academics, independent experts, top industry executives, designers, master artisans and chefs—Host 2025 became a dynamic arena where innovation and education came together to shape the future of hospitality. The spotlight of this edition was on quality, functionality and the integration of next-generation technologies such as automation, digital solutions and artificial intelligence, all key drivers in redefining consumer experiences and new business formats.

Alongside an increasingly international presence —with 44% of exhibitors coming from abroad, up from 40% in 2023— Host 2025 broadened its horizon to include the world’s most dynamic and promising markets. The growing cross-fertilisation between supply chains once again proved to be a strategic key for business growth, opening up new niches and segments. Exhibitors expressed strong satisfaction with the quality of contacts and international business opportunities, confirming Host Milano as an essential event for professionals in hospitality, out-of-home, food retail and contract design.

Looking ahead, Host’s global expansion continues with Host Arabia —scheduled in Riyadh from 15 to 17 December in collaboration with local partner Semark— and a new partnership with NAFEM – the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, which will bring the brand to the United States starting in 2027. Two milestones that further strengthen Host Milano’s role as a platform connecting markets and cultures, anticipating the future directions of the hospitality industry.

The next edition is already on the calendar: Host Milano will return to Fiera Milano from 22 to 26 October 2027.

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A major highlight of the event was DUG Foodtech’s collaboration with renowned gelato artisans Il Mustacchio from Verona, who introduced plant-based hazelnut and pistachio gelato made with DUG Unsweetened, a patented potato-based dairy alternative.

The gelato was entirely free from lactose and dairy, while delivering the creamy texture and flavor expected from traditional gelato, clearly demonstrating its commercial viability for the foodservice sector.

Strong media interest and international exposure

DUG Foodtech’s innovation attracted substantial attention from industry media and international press. Multiple interviews and articles highlighted the company’s technology platform and its potential to redefine the future of plant-based food innovation.

This innovation aligns with major market drivers:

• Growing global demand for premium plant-based offerings
• Increasing demand for allergen-friendly and sustainable solutions
• Scalable ingredient systems designed for industrial application

“HOST Milano validated our strategic position in the market,” says Helene Nielsen, CEO of DUG Foodtech. “Potato-based technology is no longer an emerging concept, it is a scalable, commercially ready solution. The strong interest from industry professionals and media confirms that the market is actively seeking exactly what we provide.”

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