Victorian businesses embrace foodpro 2014

Organisers of foodpro 2014 say the food manufacturing show is on track to become the largest foodpro event to date thanks to strong demand for exhibition space and an increase in early registrations.

Exhibition manager Peter Petherick said the move to Melbourne had not dampened exhibitor enthusiasm. In fact, with just 25 spaces remaining, demand had exceeded expectations, he said, and early visitor registration figures were also up 20 per cent compared to the 2011 event.

“The move to Melbourne has opened up new audiences for foodpro and the key sectors of Science & Technology, Food Packaging, Processing Machinery and Technology and Plant Equipment are strongly represented this year,” Petherick said.

Petherick said the response from the host state was strong, with Victorian-based equipment manufacturers representing 37 per cent of current exhibitors for foodpro 2014.

“We know that Victoria accounts for close to half of the country’s prepared food products and already, more than two out of three visitor registrations (68 per cent) are from the Victorian food and beverage sector.

An exhibition of this magnitude only comes along once every three years and this year’s event promises to showcase the latest products, innovative ideas and technology advances from the around the world," Petherick said.

He said foodpro 2014 would also see the launch of new seminar sessions covering a range of key issues facing the food processing industry.

The Australian dairy sector will be one of a number of industries strongly represented by both exhibitors and attendees at this year’s show.

Delegates will hear from key industry groups and leaders, including the Diary Industry Association of Australia, the Packaging Council of Australia and the Meat Industry Council.

Organisers said debuting the show in Melbourne will provide a good opportunity to showcase the Australian dairy industry, with Victoria being the major hub of dairy manufacturing in the country.

“Considering the importance of the dairy manufacturing industry within Victoria, it is only fitting that foodpro 2014 will be showcasing best practice dairy innovations and ideas from an area that supplies a significant portion of Australia’s annual milk production,” Petherick said.

foodpro 2014 will run from Sunday June 22 to Wednesday June 25 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank. To learn more about foodpro 2014 or to register for free entry, visit www.foodproexh.com.